The City of Fremantle acknowledges the Whadjuk people as the Traditional Owners of the Fremantle/Walyalup area and we recognise their cultural and heritage beliefs are still important today.

The Fremantle Library is proud to acknowledge, support and celebrate the many First Nations people and cultures in Fremantle, firstly the Whadjuk Nyoongar people, as well as all other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who call Walyalup home. We are committed to Reconciliation, and strive to make our Library a safe place for First Nations people to connect and share stories. 

To help anyone in our community who wants to learn more about Whadjuk Nyoongar history, culture and language, how to give and find support, we have complied a list of resources to guide your learning. 

We also have many great items in our collections by queer and trans authors, exploring queer and trans stories, look for a Rainbow on the spine when in the library.

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Trigger warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that many of the below links may contain images and voices of people who have died.

Please be aware some of the below content may upset and trigger readers, First Nations history include many examples of racism, violence and oppression.

City of Fremantle 

The City of Fremantle's Aboriginal Engagement team have compiled these Cultural links.

AIATSIS Map of Indigenous Australia

This map shows the Language groups, Tribes and Nations present on this islands pre-colonisation this island was made up of many different Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australia groups, different and distinct, each with their own culture, customs, language and laws. They are the world’s oldest surviving culture; cultures that continue to be expressed in dynamic and contemporary ways.

Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar

We live and work on Noongar Land, specifically the Whadjuk Language group, which has it’s own unique culture and language.

• Walyalup Aboriginal Cultural Centre
• Oral histories with local Elders
• Nyoongar dialects
• Nyoongar word list
• Nyoongar dictionary

The Uluru Statement from the Heart

The Uluru Statement from the Heart is a document was written and endorsed by hundreds of Indigenous leaders, who invite the Australian people to join them in their call for structural and constitutional reforms to improve the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people:

• Learning resources
• From the Uluru Statement campaign toolkit
• TedX talk: an idea whose time has come

NAIDOC Week

NAIDOC Week celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC Week is celebrated by all Australians and is a great opportunity to learn more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

• National NAIDOC Week
• Learning resources

Reconciliation Week

Reconciliation Week celebrates 2 key Milestones towards Reconciliation, the week is earmarked by the anniversary dates of the 1967 Referendum and the MABO High Court Decision.

• 1967 Referendum explained
• Mabo decision explained
• Posters and templates

Culture, language and history

There is over 80,000 years of rich culture and living history on this Island Nation, with over 250 clans or language groups across the Nation. First Nations culture is the oldest continuing, unbroken culture in the history of humanity.

• A look at the role of language
• Marngrook: first game of Aussie Rules Football played
• Sovereignty: 50 Years of the Tent Embassy

Whose country am I on?

A guide to help you find out who’s Traditional Lands you live and work on.

• What country am I on?
• Whose country am I on?

Native Title

Native title is the designation given to the common law doctrine of Aboriginal title in Australia, which is the recognition by Australian law that Indigenous Australians have rights and interests to their land that derive from their traditional laws and customs.

• About Constitutional recognition
• The story of the South West Native Title Settlement
• What is Native Title? — Kimberley Land Council

Curriculum links and school resources

There are many ways to incorporate First Nations Education into our Classrooms, crossing over subjects and ages. Here are some links to help support your classroom teachings:

• Schools resource kit
• Kaartdijin Noongar education
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures
• Curriculum resources
• For Teachers: Noongar Boodjar Language Cultural Aboriginal Corporation

Watch list

Fantastic free to access TV shows, films and documentaries:

• Araatika! Rise Up (a documentary following the creation of the Indigenous War Dance for the NRL Aboriginal All Stars Team)
• Mabo: ABC iview
• Looky Looky Here Comes Cooky (this documentary follows the story various Indigenous artists posing the question – does Australia have a blurred history of Cook?)

Books

With a fantastic collection of items created by First Nations authors, artists and creatives,

• Dark emu: Black seeds - agriculture or accident?

Artists and musicians

To further your learning, we encourage you to follow the many amazing Aboriginal artists and arts companies,

• Yirra Yaarkin education
• Warumuk: in the dark night (Bangarra Dance Theatre)
• Arch Roach
  
  
• Bad Apples (record label representing BRIGGS, Bidrz, BARKKA, Alice Skye, Nooky, Kobi Dee and many more great musicians)
• Moju
• Reko Rennie
• WE ARE WARRIORS (spotlight on Indigenous roles models, elevating their success stories and showing the next generation there are no limits)
• Buy Aboriginal-designed, Australian Made Clothing Australia

Social media

There are some great Indigenous owned and operated accounts on social media to follow, focused on sharing culture, education and social justice.

• Blak Business

Collection highlights

With a fantastic collection of items created by First Nations authors, artists and creatives, here are some of our suggestions for what to borrow:

• Dark emu: Black seeds - agriculture or accident?