history
Barapa Barapa people have walked these lands for more than 60,000 years, cared for their Country and all that lays in it; its land, water, plants, and animals. Significant works have be achieved with Aboriginal Cultural Heritage sites and Natural Resource Management in the area.
Performing age old ceremonies passed down by our Ansestors to our Elders, respecting past, present and future, and how we connect to the lands, waters, plants, birds and anmials, and our connection to each other.
Barapa Barapa, within our tribal area, our Country is very diverse. Woodlands, forest, swamps, lakes, plains, granites, river and wetland systems were travelled and sustained in a way that allowed us to thrive seasonally and develop and maintain our lands.
REGION
Barapa Bapara country covers a region in what are now the states of Victoria and New South Wales including Gannawarra, parts of Loddon and Campaspe. Southern tributaries of the Murrumbidgee River from above Hay down to Kerang.
Barapa Barpaa Country contain the rich cultural heritage of yesterday and today.
Key waterways in Victoria include Gunbower Forest and Creek, Kerang Lakes, Guttrum Forest, Loddon River, Sheepwash Creek, Little Murray and Murray River. In New South Wales the Edwards and Wakool Rivers are important.
Neighbours to the north west Wamba-Wemba, Yorta Yorta run north and south to their east. The Dja Dja Wurrung lay to the south.
Culture & Heritage
Water is the life source for culture, people, land and animals. Barapa family groups lived permanently or seasonally beside the water with water flows changing. Many of our Cultural heritage sites are concentrated along the waterways in the region. The connection to fauna is an important part of our culture with a number of species identified as important for our people, including bats, Owlet Nightjar, Brolga, Black Swan, turtle, native fish (Murray Cod, Catfish and Yellow Belly), crayfish and yabbies, Bunyip bird (Australasian Bittern), and the Red-tailed Black Cockatoo.
In the past wetland animals were abundant when the wetlands and waterways were clear and healthy and food chains complete. We remember places full of ibis, ducks, turtles, brolgas, fish, and less invasive species like carp, redfin. Now many of the plant species that helps wetland fauna are gone. Reintroducing native species and helping through relevant strategies and programs to understand and monitor animal behaviour is an important part of the future and a way to connect our people to the country.
Barapa people use fire on Barapa Barapa Country to care for and regenerate land and reduce fire risk, weeds, feral impact and improve the health of Country.
community
“Barapa Barapa live in a culture that values the water, the landscape and the environment. This is our home, our land, our water, our Country. It is a part of who we are, and we are a part of it.
Healthy lands, healthy waters, healthy people.”
-- Debbie Webster