Capturing Culture

It has been an exciting few weeks at NACC with the development of our Engaging Education for NRM video project.

NACC has enlisted the help of Michael Muller of Mullermind Creative who has been working closely with a local Aboriginal family to develop an educational video about a native tree called the Warlgu, also known as the Quandong.

Filming for the video recently took place at the beautiful Drylands Permaculture Farm, with family members Elvie Dann, Donna Ronan, Leroy Shiosaki, and Santarna Shiosaki, along with friend and Drylands Farm founder Julie Firth. The group shared everything they knew about the amazing Warlgu trees and the importance of preserving the species for future generations.

Elvie reminisced about waiting all year for the Warlgu tree to bear its red fruit before gathering the family and a few buckets to collect the bitter-tasting fruit. Her daughter, Donna, talked about the many ways that she cooks with Warlgu fruit, and her children, Leroy and Santarna, described how to spot a Warlgu in amongst other species. Julie explained how Warlgu trees grow, and how emus can be particularly helpful in this process.

NACC Aboriginal Program Coordinator Bianca McNeair said the video is being produced as an education resource to highlight traditional ecological knowledge of local Yamaji people.

Any teachers who would like to find out more about traditional ecological knowledge and the resource,  or to organise a professional learning session in Term 2, 2018, are advised to contact Bianca at NACC. These sessions will provide teachers further information about the resources available, and provide an opportunity to meet local Traditional Custodians who will share their knowledge of the land, sea, sky and waterways.

Watch this space for details.

This project is presented by the Northern Agricultural Catchments Council and is supported by funding from the WA Government’s State NRM Program, supported by Royalties for Regions.