BKB Holidays acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea, and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.
In celebration of NAIDOC week, BKB Holidays is sharing information on the culture and history of the traditional owners and land of some of our top destinations and tour packages.
Perth:
The Whadjuk Region is home to Perth, Fremantle, Joondalup, Toodyay and Armadale. Whadjuk is one of the 14 Noongar dialects that span through the south west of Western Australia.
6 Seasons in the Noongar Seasonal calendar:
• Birak: Dec-Jan
• Bunuru: Feb-Mar
• Djeran: April-May
• Makuru: June-July
• Djilba: Aug-Sep
• Kambarang: Oct-Nov
Karrgatup (Kings Park)
Lake Argyle & Kununurra:
Miriwoong is located in the East Kimberley of WA and is home to Lake Argyle and Kununurra. The Miriwoong language is considered critically endangered, however there are resources in place to learn this amazing language that can be found here.
3 Seasons in the Miriwoong calendar:
• Nyinggiyi-mageny: Wet Weather (Dec-Mar)
• Warnka-mageny: Cold Weather (Apr-Aug)
• Barndenyirriny: Hot Weather (Sep-Nov)
Waringarri Aboriginal Arts are a wholly Indigenous owned art gallery out of Kununurra. They also offer tours through Mirmia National Park on top of their incredible art centre. Click here to find out more.
Waringarri Aboriginal Arts
Broome:
Yawuru people are the traditional owners of the Kimberley Region from Willie Creek to Roebuck. Yawuru is also an endangered language, however there are programs and tools in place to keep it alive, with many Broome primary schools incorporating Yawuru language programs.
150km North of Broome you'll find Beagle Bay, home of the Nyul Nyul people. The Sacred Heart Church was built entirely by hand from local Aboriginals and shows an impressive display of shell carvings inside.
Robert Dann a Nyul Nyul man, leads Cultural History tours through beagle bay and shares intimate stories and knowledge. If you would like to find out more, click here.
Kimberley Cultural Adventure tours
Darwin:
Larrakia people are the traditional owners of Darwin and have the longest running clan in the Northern Territory. Larrakia would often trade with neighbouring groups such as Tiwi and share in celebrations, marriages, and traditions.
Outside of Darwin is the magnificent Litchfield National Park where the Aboriginal people have lived for thousands of years. The incredible waterfalls, natural pools and monsoon forest/woodlands hold spiritual and cultural significance.
Northern Territory Indigenous Tours are an Indigenous owned and locally based company who offer such tours as the Indigenous Litchfield Spectacular.
Northern Territory Indigenous Tours
Kakadu:
In the north part of Kakadu National Park, Aboriginal people are called Bininj and speak Kundjeyhmi and Kunwinjku. Aboriginal people in the southern part of the park are called Mungguy and speak Jawoyn.
Kakadu has been a UNESCO world heritage site since 1981 and contains incredible ancient rock art up to 20,000 years old.
Kakadu Cultural Tours are an operator from Kakadu who offer great packages. The perfect package to learn about ancient artefacts, traditional survival techniques and go crocodile spotting, click here to find out more.
Kakadu Cultural Tours
If you are interested in experiencing an Aboriginal Cultural Tour on your next holiday, then call us on 1300 357 057, email web@bkbholidays.com or click here to check out our Northern Territory deals and here for our Western Australia deals.