WARLIBIRRI NATIONAL PARK
Warlibirri means river in Gooniyandi Language.
The Gooniyandi Traditional Owners were pleased to announce the creation of Warlibirri National Park in April 2022. The National Park spans close to 16,000 hectares, covering areas of the Margaret River, East of Fitzroy Crossing and on Gooniyandi Country.
The river is home to important areas for Gooniyandi people and is considered a living ancestral being.
The totems of many families are connected to freshwater places as well as plants and animals found along the river.
“I FELT HAPPY”
Our Chairperson and Elder, Claude Carter said the new national park was a significant moment.
“I feel happy, because the river, it’s like life to us,” he said.
“We always say water brings life back to the people, to the animals and the land.”
“We live on top of the river and there’s other people down the river, different tribes, this river goes into Fitzroy River, and from the Fitzroy it comes out to Derby,” he said.
“I FELT HAPPY”
Our Chairperson and Elder, Claude Carter said the new national park was a significant moment.
“I feel happy, because the river, it’s like life to us,” he said.
“We always say water brings life back to the people, to the animals and the land.”
“We live on top of the river and there’s other people down the river, different tribes, this river goes into Fitzroy River, and from the Fitzroy it comes out to Derby,” he said.
“I FELT HAPPY”
Our Chairperson and Elder, Claude Carter said the new national park was a significant moment.
“I feel happy, because the river, it’s like life to us,” he said.
“We always say water brings life back to the people, to the animals and the land.”
“We live on top of the river and there’s other people down the river, different tribes, this river goes into Fitzroy River, and from the Fitzroy it comes out to Derby,” he said.
OPPORTUNITIES
The Gooniyandi Aboriginal Corporation will manage the national park with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
“We are working together as one now, there’s black and white, and that’s another good thing I see, looking after country together,” Mr Carter said.
He hopes it will create new opportunities for young people as the region grapples with escalating juvenile crime and social dysfunction.
“I see good things for them kids again; they’ve got opportunities to come out here and look after country, we’ve got to try and find a road for them.”
OPPORTUNITIES
The Gooniyandi Aboriginal Corporation will manage the national park with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
“We are working together as one now, there’s black and white, and that’s another good thing I see, looking after country together,” Mr Carter said.
He hopes it will create new opportunities for young people as the region grapples with escalating juvenile crime and social dysfunction.
“I see good things for them kids again; they’ve got opportunities to come out here and look after country, we’ve got to try and find a road for them.”
OPPORTUNITIES
The Gooniyandi Aboriginal Corporation will manage the national park with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
“We are working together as one now, there’s black and white, and that’s another good thing I see, looking after country together,” Mr Carter said.
He hopes it will create new opportunities for young people as the region grapples with escalating juvenile crime and social dysfunction.
“I see good things for them kids again; they’ve got opportunities to come out here and look after country, we’ve got to try and find a road for them.”
PROTECTING COUNTRY
Gooniyandi ranger coordinator and traditional owner Russell ‘Junior’ Chestnut said he was excited at the prospect of expanding the program.
“Gooniyandi country to us is our own nation to our people … when it comes to looking after country we have a lot to cover, so the more rangers, the better we can look after our country,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to where this is going to go; we’re going to get better access to country … now with the national park there’ll be more resources.”
“It will protect the areas more, like a lot of the boundary of the national park will be fenced off.”
.
PROTECTING COUNTRY
Gooniyandi ranger coordinator and traditional owner Russell “Junior” Chestnut said he was excited at the prospect of expanding the program.
“Gooniyandi country to us is our own nation to our people … when it comes to looking after country we have a lot to cover, so the more rangers, the better we can look after our country,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to where this is going to go; we’re going to get better access to country … now with the national park there’ll be more resources.
“It will protect the areas more, like a lot of the boundary of the national park will be fenced off.”
.
PROTECTING COUNTRY
Gooniyandi ranger coordinator and traditional owner Russell “Junior” Chestnut said he was excited at the prospect of expanding the program.
“Gooniyandi country to us is our own nation to our people … when it comes to looking after country we have a lot to cover, so the more rangers, the better we can look after our country,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to where this is going to go; we’re going to get better access to country … now with the national park there’ll be more resources.
“It will protect the areas more, like a lot of the boundary of the national park will be fenced off.”
.