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At Recfishwest we recognise the inseparable connection Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have to country is central to their culture.
To celebrate this, and as part of NAIDOC week this week, we are proud to be able to share this fascinating short film, Dildjid Dreaming, which was funded through a Recfishwest community grant.
Narrated by Djoona Managing Director and Biboolmirn Nyoongar Joe Collard, the film tells the story of how the water of the Swan and Canning rivers connects his people – the ‘Paperbark People’ of the South-west – with their Boodja, their land.
The film was a collaboration between Aboriginal training and cultural immersion organisation, Djoona, and Task Force Films.
CEO Dr Andrew Rowland said, “We have much to learn from Traditional Owners’ knowledge of seasonal cycles of sea country and aquatic environments that has been built up over thousands of years. We share many similar values especially when it comes to protecting our waters so we and future generations can continue to enjoy them.
“The theme of this month’s NAIDOC week is ‘For our Elders’, so it’s fitting that this inspiring short film acknowledges and features Biboolmum Elders sharing stories of their people’s connection with the waters of the Swan and Murray coastal plains.
“We are pleased our community grants scheme has helped Joe share some of his community’s knowledge and history through the medium of this film.”
As part of NAIDOC week celebrations, Recfishwest recognises the strength, resilience, knowledge and capacity of Traditional Owners in managing and caring for the land and sea.
This week’s NAIDOC theme is to “get up, stand up and show up” to support and secure institutional, structural, collaborative and cooperative reforms.
“We recognise that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have a very strong connection to country that is central to their culture,” said CEO Dr Andrew Rowland, “and their knowledge of seasonal cycles of sea country and aquatic environments has been built up over thousands of years.
“This places them in a strong position to be able to protect and manage sea country and healthy fish populations through management approaches that integrate this knowledge.
“Traditional Owners must be given a greater opportunity to take a leadership role when it comes to the management of WA’s aquatic habitats and fisheries.
“This means fisheries management systems and research frameworks must better incorporate the rights, interests, aspirations, and culture of traditional owners.
“It means new structures and processes for better representation as well as pathways to deliver on-ground fisheries-related activities such as education, compliance, monitoring and research.
“Fishers and Traditional Owners share many fishing and conservation values and we look forward to collaborating further around areas of mutual interest in the months and years ahead.”
Recfishwest particularly recognises the capability and achievements of ranger groups from the Esperance Tjaltjraak Native Title Aboriginal Corporation (ETNTAC) and the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation in caring for important sea country areas.
Each of these groups is doing great work looking afters some of special places important to WA fishers.
Find out more about the Esperance Tjaltjraak Native Title Aboriginal Corporation and what it does hereand about the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation here.
For more information about NAIDOC week activities in WA, clickhere