“To be a leader and spokesperson in and for my family and people, this has been passed down to us from our parents and grandparents for generations. It’s about passing on culture, knowledge and life, skills so that our kaardatjin will never be forgotten…”

– A note from one of the Elders participating in Place Names Melville.

Connecting with boodja is central to Place Names Melville and so it was appropriate to launch the project with a ceremony that deepened connection with Country and with one another. Titled Touching Boodja, the launch brought together CAN, the City of Melville, Moodjar and Noongar Elders, all of whom will work together to crack ancient meanings embedded in placenames.

To celebrate the beginning of Place Names Melville Phase II and the vital leadership of the Noongar Elders and knowledge holders who will be guiding us on this decoding journey, we met at the Deepwater Point Reserve on the banks of the Derbarl Yaragan for a morning of grounding, connection and celebration. Deepwater Point Reserve is a special location, looking out over several different places in the Melville area that the Decoding Advisory Group will be researching, to translate and interpret their ancient Noongar meanings.
 

As Elizabeth Hayden welcomed us to Noongar boodja, CAN’s Aboriginal Cultural Advisor Geri Hayden held a smoking ceremony, preparing us for the morning’s activities. Place Names Creative Producer Natalie Scholtz then guided the Elders and other partners through some creative activities, including tracing, painting and feeling items of nature around us, such as leaves, plants and flowers. During these activities Geri spoke to the group in Noongar.

The Elders introduced themselves, explaining their roles as Elders, knowledge-holders and custodians, and why they are joining us on this historical journey of mapping and understanding Noongar place names.

Revitalised, grounded and connected, the Elders Decoding Group is excited to move forward into the decoding workshops. 
 

Learn more about Place Names Melville Phase II

Top: Geri Hayden provided a smoking ceremony. Photo: Nduta Gathoga