Who are the Noongar people?
The Noongar are the Aboriginal people of the southwest of Western Australia, including the Perth region. Their country stretches from around Jurien Bay on the coast to Esperance in the south.
Noongar country includes many groups speaking related dialects, such as the Whadjuk around Perth, the Ballardong, the Minang near Albany and the Wardandi near Margaret River. Noongar people have lived in the region for at least 45,000 years.
Noongar recognise six seasons, Birak, Bunuru, Djeran, Makuru, Djilba and Kambarang, marked by changes in weather, plants and animals.
Native title
In 2015, the Noongar and the Western Australian government signed the South West Native Title Settlement, one of the largest native title agreements in Australian history, covering about 200,000 square kilometres.
The Noongar language is being revived through schools, radio, signs and community programs, and dual names now appear on many places around Perth.
The Waugal, a giant ancestral serpent, is believed to have created the Swan River and other waterways, and many sacred sites are linked to it. Noongar artists, dancers and storytellers share culture through events such as Perth's NAIDOC celebrations and welcome ceremonies at major sporting events.
Did You Know?
Perth's Kings Park is known to Noongar people as Kaarta Koomba.