Mapping Boodjar

Film by Jason Thomas

This short film summarises Mapping Boodjar, a cultural mapping project documenting Whadjuk Noongar knowledge in and around Walyalup / Fremantle.

This project was completed in collaboration with Noongar Boodjar Language Cultural Aboriginal Corporation, Karda Designs, The University of Notre Dame, Curtin University and Kim Mahood. Mapping Boodjar was funded by the AIATSIS Indigenous Research Exchange Grant.

Mapping Boodjar emerged through an extensive, collaborative research process with Whadjuk Noongar Traditional Owners. This included a lively, meandering day on a small bus led by Elders, followed by a public mapping week where shared knowledge was painted onto a large cultural map.

Our role was to facilitate, listen, and document, with the project’s direction guided by Traditional Owners. The map brings Whadjuk Noongar knowledge and language into the urban landscape, supporting cultural continuity and transformational learning.