Connections to country remain important and although the Traditional Owners of the southwest acknowledge that they are all from Noongar country, it is significant to note that there is diversity within the Noongar people. This diversity is also a reflection of the diversity within their homelands. Noongar country ranges from extensive coastal environments, wet karri forests and drier jarrah and marri forests, through to almost semi-arid country in what is now termed the eastern wheatbelt. The breadth of Noongar country ranges from what are now highly populated urban regions to the more remote rural lands.

Like other Aboriginal nations across Australia, the Noongar people from the southwest of Western Australia continue to survive the impacts of a colonial regime and have shown throughout the past two centuries an ability to adapt to their changing environments – despite the countless efforts to devastate them – so that their sense of self, spirituality and culture has continued through to the present day. Noongar people’s continued resilience, connection to culture and hope for the future, therefore, is the basis for this publication. Much of the information is derived from Noongar Elders who have shared stories of their pasts and hopes for the future.