WILKURR CULTURAL GATHERING

This cultural gathering for our mob will focus on Wilkurr (Dingo in Wergaia) and will include a series of presentations that will lead to informed decision-making by the Wotjobaluk Nations. 

As the cultural custodians and relatives of Wilkurr in the Big Desert, we need to establish our leadership at the forefront of the more recent movement to protect and ensure the survival of Wilkurr, and the best way to do that is by building our knowledge base, having our voice heard, and establishing genuine partnerships with stakeholders already working in this space. We hope that the Wilkurr Cultural gathering will be the next step in enabling us to achieve these outcomes.

We aim to gather at midday 

For the information-sharing and workshop component of the event, we are looking at running it based on themes or subjects:

• Wilkurr in Wotjobaluk Lore (stories).
• Wilkurr Origin and Relationship with Indigenous People.
• Traditional Ecological Role of Wilkurr as Apex Predator.
• History of Post-Contact Wilkurr Management / Control.
• Current Legislative / Regulatory Status of Wilkurr (Vic / SA / Fed?)
• What do we know right now about the Big Desert Wilkurr population? (Update)
• How can Wotjobaluk people get involved to protect Wilkurr? (Workshop session)

We want to set the scene by starting at the beginning, so we will first talk about Wotjobaluk Creation Stories and the traditional relationship between us and our Wilkurr relatives. We will then look at how Wilkurr is important to ecosystem function, and then get into the disruption of that by the European Invasion and the post-contact management (eradication) of Wilkurr. 

BGLC will arrange for accommodation at Little Desert Nature Lodge or close by, with all meals and activities supplied. 

Registrations are essential.

This project is proudly supported by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA).