Cultural Heritage

A history hidden in plain sight

Archaeological evidence in Esperance shows a history of occupation and use by social groups extending back at least 13,000 years. Elsewhere on Nyungar country, much older evidence of occupation has been found.

Stone artefacts, tool making sites, lizard traps, gnamma holes (man-made granite waterholes), burials, quarry sites, rock-art, and ceremonial places and materials all exist throughout Esperance Nyungar country. These are physical manifestations of the ways in which Nyungar people engage with these landscapes.

Some cultural places don't have artefacts or other physical reminders of their past but are parts of the stories of how our country came to be, and important markers along the travel routes we used.

Discovery, respect and maintenance

It is important for us that all these places are managed and maintained in the right ways. Doing so, maintains our connection to ancestors and our obligations to care for their ancestral lands. ETNTAC looks for ways to help our members regularly visit cultural sites to reinvigorate the stories of these places and pass the knowledge on to the younger generation. Across 2019/20 we will be delivering over $700,000 in cultural protection and reconnection projects working with a variety of stakeholders. Examples of our projects can be found here [hyperlink].

Heritage

Traditionally people asked for permission to visit sites on Esperance Nyungar country. Today, State instrumentalities who propose to carry out works on Esperance Nyungar country consult with ETNTAC through an Indigenous Land Use Agreement, which includes a Government Standard Heritage Agreement (GSHA) for use by Government agencies. Resource explorers work with us through a Proponent Standard Heritage Agreement.

In the course of doing so, we regularly engage heritage professionals and traditional owners to record, and then manage, the cultural values existing on country that may be impacted by public and private works.

ETNTAC shares the commonly held view that the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 (the Act) fails to meet, or uphold, the rights and reasonable expectations of Aboriginal people. ETNTAC welcomes the WA Government's review of this Act and the intent to provide Aboriginal people in WA with a real role in decisions affecting their heritage. In particular, ETNTAC is a strong advocate for a new definition of 'place' in the Act that recognizes Nyungar cultural systems are interwoven with landscapes and ecosystems.

We also assist other organisations to deliver their services in a culturally secure and inclusive ways. Through our deep community connections we are able to be the interface between government and industry and the Indigenous community. For example, recently we have facilitated the Shire of Esperance's community consultations regarding its inaugural reconciliation action plan and helped the Department of Training and Workforce Development design a culturally engaging new Esperance TAFE complex.

If you would like to talk to us about heritage surveys please use the form to contact us - we look forward to hearing from you.