Indigenous Links

Brief description

Aboriginal people have always had, and still do have a very special relationship with the rivers that they live near.

More information

Aboriginal history in Australia dates back more than 40 000 years, during which time a rich culture and relationship with the land has been developed. The strong ties that Aboriginal people have with the environment can still be seen today with a deep respect for the land and a broad knowledge of what the land can provide if it is looked after.

Before European settlement, which began in Australia just over 200 years ago, there were many different groups of Aboriginal people living in Western Australia, each with their own language, culture and traditions.

Following the arrival of new settlers in Western Australia, there have been periods of misunderstanding and terrible conflict. However there are now many groups of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people working together to maintain and recognise the important links that Aboriginal people have with the land and the water in their local area.

Issues and Impacts

Use of the river

Rivers were areas where Aboriginal people lived, hunted, collected their water and gathered food such as fish, turtles, birds, frogs and native plant foods. It was along the rivers that Aboriginal people travelled and traded with other groups.

Natural river resources such as paperbark were important for making tools, shelter and artefacts.

Spiritual significance:

To Aboriginal people, rivers have a very special meaning that goes beyond just the supply of food, water and resources. Aboriginal people feel connected to many rivers and wetlands in a spiritual way.

Many rivers and wetlands are named and linked to creation stories, and many are believed to be inhabited by spirit beings. Stories of land and river formations are passed down the generations through story telling, art, dance and ceremony.

Many rivers in Western Australia are attributed to the movements of the Waugyl (rainbow serpent - also spelt Waugul, Wagyl or Waagle) as it carved out the water course. More information about the Wagyl can be found in the Murray River section of this website.

The Dreamtime serpent is called by a different name in different places and in Nanda country it is called "beemarra".

Impact of new arrivals:

European settlement began along the Swan River in 1829, when Englishman Captain James Stirling set up the Swan River Colony. Initially there were friendly relations between these new arrivals and Aboriginal people, but as the differences in culture and ideas about land ownership arose, conflict began to develop between Aboriginal people and white people. Many Aboriginal people died during the disputes. Others died from diseases that came to Australia with the settlers - diseases that the Aboriginal people did not have any immunity against.

Settlers competed with Aboriginal people for food sources such as native animals, which they hunted. Unfortunately many settlers also hunted for sport, and depleted some native animal populations almost to the point of extinction. There were some early settlers that expressed concern about the rights of Aboriginal people; however the majority of their problems were not heard.

Protecting the rights:

Throughout the years, the rights of Aboriginal people, including land rights have been severely disrupted. However there have been many moves to change this, including The Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 and The Native Title Act 1993, which both aim to help protect the rights and interests of Aboriginal groups and their connections to land, rivers and wetlands.

Any development or restoration work carried out near an Aboriginal site may require special permission. Contact the Department for Indigenous Affairs and the Department of Land Administration if you want to know more about Indigenous connections with your local river site.