Australia

Australia

Between nature and culture: the heritage of the Martuwarra River

The Martuwarra Fitzroy River has historically been managed by Indigenous Nations employing distinctive hydro-technologies. Today, it stands as Western Australia's largest Aboriginal cultural heritage site, holding national heritage status.

Aboriginal people maintain a deep connection with water, as shown by expressions such as 'Yi-Martuwarra' ('I belong to the River'). The Council of Elders asserts the right that the river embodies sacred ancestral serpent beings that are at the center of the universe and have the right to flow. This worldview is in stark contrast to Western notions of property and paradigms of over-exploitation.

The Martuwarra Council actively promotes regenerative culture and tourism economies of well-being that preserve the River and counter the increasing threats of unsustainable extractions of resources that disregard the sacredness of Nature.