Learning the stories of where you live

Wherever you stand in the landscape, the ancient, rich history and culture of First Nations People exists, and so it is worth taking the time to learn more. If you have picked up this guide, it’s likely you are already keen to discover and nurture something more for your farm and the landscape within which it sits. Taking this a step further and being curious about the history, the stories, the beliefs, the landscape practices and the people who walked before you provides an opportunity to connect you to the patch you are on at a deeper level.

If you have lived where you have for a while, perhaps you know the stories, but maybe you are new to the landscape in which you live or maybe you are living on Country. Whatever it is for you, planning revegetation activities is a chance to pause and look at your landscape through the lens of First Nations People. The term ‘First Nations’ recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the sovereign people of this land. It recognises various language groups as separate and unique sovereign nations.

Following are prompts that might guide and support your learning about the land you are on.

First Nations People have been part of the landscape for at least 60,000 years. Research the First Nations People who call this place home, whose nation you are amongst, and which languages are spoken.

Some useful links to get you started

Seek to understand the story of what has happened on the land where you live. This can be confronting, and it can feel uncomfortable, but it provides a compelling catalyst for change. Researching books and documentaries can help you understand more. There are often public resources in your community – look for cultural centres, First Nations collections in local museum, local First Nations sites with information boards – anything that can help you understand local history.

Sometimes information can be found in unexpected places – this valuable resource is located at the Holbrook Submarine Park in Holbrook. Photos: Peter Rowland.

Be curious about what the landscape looked like and the daily living practices of First Nations People as they nurture and live with Country.

Most significant landscape features have names, purpose, and stories. Research the original names of these features (think creeks, rivers, plains, hills, rock formations and mountains) and, if publicly available and culturally appropriate, write these onto maps (your farm map or local maps) and start using these names. If culturally appropriate, seek to learn the stories and practices that nurtured or protected these features.

Before beginning revegetation work, it would be best to learn if there are already identified objects or sites of significance close by. Learn more about these and how your patch might be connected to stories or cultural practices. There is an Aboriginal Heritage Information Management System (AHIMS) that can be accessed via the agency responsible for cultural heritage.

If you find a place of significance or a sacred object on your farm, do you know what you can do to protect this site and possibly become the guardian for this?

Who do you contact to share this with? What can this artifact tell you about the place where it was found?

The best thing to do is to contact your local Aboriginal Land Council or other First Nations organisations in your area. If they are unavailable, local land services and Landcare might also be able to help. After contacting your local First Nations People or organisation, there may be the opportunity to walk across the landscape with a local First Nations representative and learn more.

Wiradjuri Plant Use in the Murrumbidgee Catchment

The resource Wiradjuri plant use in the Murrumbidgee catchment (2008) is a great resource on local plants, their First Nations’ names and uses.

This book was developed by the Murrumbidgee Catchment Authority, in consultation with local Aboriginal communities within the Murrumbidgee catchment, and was funded by the Australian and New south Wales Governments. (It is copyright © State of New South Wales, 2008, and is shared here as fair dealing for research or study)

Sourced from NSW Local Land Services – Wiradjuri Plant Guide

WALK TOGETHER

Discover your local First Nation People and organisations. What resources are available to help you learn more? What events or activities can you attend to learn more? How can you work together to build cultural connections? How can you create opportunities to learn more?

We must also remember that First Nations People are relationship-based people so go slowly and gently when asking to make connections. A good place to start is the local Land Council in your area.

Research what opportunities there might be to contribute back to First Nations People in your area. Talk with your local First Nations People and organisations or groups for guidance.

When you share what you are learning this can continue the stories, create connections to places and practices and build an understanding of new (or ancient) ways to nurture our landscape. that we may not even know about yet.

However, we must be aware that some cultural knowledge is not for the public.  Share the stories of reconnecting and learning and understand what cultural knowledge can be shared and what needs to be kept between you and First Nations People.