Wyndham City Council has formally acknowledged the Bunurong and Wadawurrung Peoples as the Traditional Owners of the land on which it operates, recognizing their enduring connection to the region’s natural features. this acknowledgement, a important step towards reconciliation, highlights the deep cultural and ancient ties of Aboriginal and Torres strait Islander peoples to the area.
Honoring First Peoples and Ancient Landscapes
A formal recognition of the Bunurong and Wadawurrung Peoples’ ongoing custodianship of the land.
- Wyndham City Council officially recognizes aboriginal and torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants of Australia.
- The Bunurong and Wadawurrung Peoples are specifically acknowledged as the Traditional Owners of the lands within the Wyndham City area.
- The acknowledgement emphasizes the continuous and unbroken connection of these Peoples to the Werribee Yalook river,creeks,stars,hills,and red clay of the Country.
- Respect is extended to the Ancestors and elders of the Bunurong and Wadawurrung Peoples for their ongoing care of Country and community.
The council’s statement affirms that the Wadawurrung and Bunurong Peoples have always belonged to the Werribee Yalook (river),the intricate network of creeks,the celestial stars above,the rolling hills,and the distinctive red clay that characterizes the landscape. This isn’t simply a historical recognition; it’s a present-day affirmation of their continuing ownership and responsibility.
Did you know?-The Bunurong people traditionally inhabited the coastal areas of victoria, while the Wadawurrung people’s territory extended inland. Both groups have a deep and continuing connection to the Wyndham area.
What does it mean to acknowledge Traditional Owners? Recognizing Traditional Owners is a crucial step in acknowledging the history of dispossession and working towards a more just and equitable future for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It’s about respecting their cultural heritage, their ongoing connection to the land, and their right to self-determination.
The acknowledgement extends beyond the physical landscape, encompassing the spiritual and cultural significance of the stars and the very essence of the Country.
The Wyndham City Council’s commitment extends to paying respect not only to the Ancestors and Elders but also to their enduring role in caring for Country and community, both in the present and for generations to come. This ongoing care is seen as a vital and unbroken thread connecting the past, present, and future.
Reader question-What further steps can the Wyndham City Council take to demonstrate its commitment to reconciliation beyond this formal acknowledgement?
Clarification of Changes & How the Questions are Answered:
* From Update to News Report: The article is now structured more like a news report, starting with the core announcement and then providing context and explanation.
* Why: The Wyndham City Council acknowledged the bunurong and Wadawurrung Peoples to address the history of dispossession and work towards reconciliation, fostering a more just and equitable future.
* Who: The Wyndham City Council formally acknowledged the Bunurong and Wadawurrung Peoples as the Traditional Owners.
* What: The council officially recognized the Bunurong and Wadawurrung Peoples’ ongoing custodianship of the land within the Wyndham City area, affirming their continuous connection to the region’s natural features.
* How did it end?: The article doesn’t describe a definitive “end” to the process. It frames the acknowledgement as an ongoing commitment to respect and care for Country and community, connecting past, present, and future. The council’s commitment extends
