Two people look through a large folio standing in an outback area
WA Museum Boola Bardip

WAKE UP THE SNAKE

Location

WA Museum Boola Bardip
Perth Cultural Centre, Perth / Boorloo

Dates

–

Tickets

Entry: Included with general admission

WAKE UP THE SNAKE is an exhibition to wake up the consciousness of all people to the significance that water has to sustain all life and the protection of water sources such as the Martuwarra (Fitzroy River) in the West Kimberley, as well as the gnamma (water holes) in the Great Western Woodlands. It is based on the outcomes of a research project to understand the transfer of Indigenous knowledges in two Western Australian regions. The research teams in each location have prepared connected exhibits that reflect their findings under this project. Each community shares its unique perspective on water, culture, and knowledge transfer, revealing how listening, looking, and learning on Country can guide us toward a sustainable future.

Kids on Country is an Aboriginal- led project in the Great Western Woodlands in Western Australia. In this Aboriginal-led project Elders lead excursions on Country for the young people, who listen to stories, play, run, paint, ask questions, draw and learn the ways of their people. Led by Kalaako cultural custodians Ms Betty Logan, Ms Maxine Dimer and Ms Dianne Logan, the young people are immersed in language and culture, and grow up feeling connected to their families, Elders and Woodlands. The Wake up the Snake exhibition is the result of three years work as part an Intergenerational Cultural Transfer of Indigenous Knowledge Australian Research Council Linkage Project ( 2023 - 2027). With facilitation by Catrina Luz Aniere of Millennium Kids, this project has been reconnecting young people with their environmental-cultural homelands for more than thirteen years. 

In the West Kimberley, Aboriginal communities along the length of the Martuwarra Fitzroy River participated with researchers in exploring traditional and new ways of transferring knowledge both within and outside their groups. Young adults gained skills in mobile media for recording, advocating and disseminating knowledge; multiple generations worked with Elders and new technologies to capture and continue their Language; Elders worked on bringing back traditional Storylines and maps, recording songs and artworks in new media; painters and carvers demonstrated the transfer of Story and Knowledge through their work with modern media; Riverkeepers of the Martuwarra Fitzroy River Council worked together to plan and develop tourism activities to spread their Story and Knowledge of River and Country.

This research arises from a consortium of the University of Notre Dame Australia, Edith Cowan University, Millennium Kids, Pandanus Park Community, the Martuwarra Fitzroy River Council, Madjulla Inc, the WA Museum and the Water Corporation of Western Australia. It is financially supported (partially) by the following organisations: the Australian Government through the Australian Research Council's Linkage Projects funding scheme (project LP210301390); the Water Corporation’s Research and Development Program; Millennium Kids Enviro Fund; and the WA Museum.

The views expressed in WAKE UP THE SNAKE are those of the project team and respected Elders who took part in this research.

Wake Up The Snake logo block
Two people look through a large folio standing in an outback area
Elder Maxine Dimer and Catrina Luz Aniere: Sharing story, writing poetry together.
'WAKE UP THE SNAKE' imagery featuring a drawing of a snake and a photograph of people walking near the shore of a lake
WAKE UP THE SNAKE: This story brings together important water sites visited, over and over, during the program.
A drawing of a bus with the title 'Get On The Bus'
Get on the Bus: A moving methodology where the bus was central to getting out of town, on Country.
Three people standing closely together outdoors on a sunny day, examining small objects in their hands.
First Nations Researchers Tamara Donaldson and Krystal Donaldson sharing stories.
Person wearing a blue hat and patterned jacket looking through binoculars near a body of water at sunset.
Asking the big questions: Kids asking questions was key to sharing stories on Country as part of this intergenerational project.
Three people outdoors examining a large painted canvas on the ground, with a camera on a tripod nearby and vehicles in the background.
Creating a video record of story in a large canvas, painted by Nyikina Elders, which maps their Country
Person standing with headphones and a phone next to a tripod-mounted tablet, filming another person seated on a log outdoors.
River keepers learning to record their own stories
Group of people outdoors among dry branches and trees; one person wearing headphones and holding a small audio recorder.
Young River Keepers developing skills in mobile media
Four people standing close together outdoors among trees, looking at a mobile phone.
River Keepers monitoring climate change on Country
Person standing beside a large, colourful Aboriginal artwork featuring intricate patterns in orange, blue, purple, and teal.
River Keeper Lloyd Kwilla, artist talks his painting of the water system connections
Group of people sitting on a blue tarp in a wooded area, with musical keyboards on stands and a camera recording the scene.
Four Nyikina generations teaching and learning Language
Two people sitting at a desk looking at a laptop screen displaying an educational game with text and colourful icons
Martuwarra River Keepers learning their language on interactive computer app