City of Stirling Reconciliation Action Plan 2026

Acknowledgement City of Stirling kaadatj Nyoongar moort Nyoongar boodja-k Wadjak boodja-k. Ngalak kaadatj Nyoongar nedingar wer birdiya koora koora wer yeyi. Baalabang koondarm, malayin wer nakolak baalap yang ngalany-al. Ngalak dandjoo barn wer kaaratj bandang boodja-k. The City of Stirling acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of this land, the Wadjak people of the Nyoongar Nation, and pays respect to the Elders past, present and future, for they hold the memories, the traditions, the culture and hopes of Aboriginal Australia.

Cover Teresa Miller, Mooro Country: Yaakan – Longneck Turtle, 2022

Contents

Foreword from the Mayor ������������������������������������ 4

Message from Reconciliation Australia ��������������� 5

Yaakan – Longneck Turtle is an art story about the lakes and swamps that connected, just inland from the coast, up through Mooro country. The old people followed walking (bidi) trails around and through these waterways. The Yaakan (Longneck Turtle) was found there in those wetlands – places like Lake Gwelup, Carinyup Swamp, Star Swamp and today’s Herdsman Lake. The Yaakan provided a big feast of bush tucker. The traditional Nyoongar people would catch Yaakan and lay them on their backs in the hot coals of an open fire. My artwork includes traditional campsites (circle symbols), showing the places where the people would meet, hunt, sit and feast. Some Noongar people still do practice this traditional way of cooking and eating on Nyoongar boodjar (land) today.

Our Vision for Reconciliation ������������������������������ 6

Our Business ������������������������������������������������������ 7

Our Reconciliation Action Plan ��������������������������� 8

Our Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group ������������������������������������������������� 10

RAP Reflections ����������������������������������������������� 11

Our People Reflections ������������������������������������ 12

1. Relationships �������������������������������������������� 16

2. Respect ���������������������������������������������������� 20

Original artworks by Teresa Miller (artist name is Beelya Yorg – River Woman), then digitally vectorized and colourised by Norlap Creative. This design sits within a suite of three designs; Yaakan – Longneck Turtle, Wagyl – Creator Snake and Boodalang – Pelican, which celebrate the characteristics of Mooro Country through our wildlife, floral and fauna.

3. Opportunities �������������������������������������������� 24

4. Governance ���������������������������������������������� 28

Artist credit: Koora, Yeyi, Boordawan Bidi (Past, Present, Future Path) by Meeyakba Shane Pickett (1957-2010), Peter Farmer Snr, Kylie Graham in collaboration with Jahne Rees of Scape-ism, 2025

Photo credit: Robyn Jean Photography

Disclaimer: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people reading this Reconciliation Action Plan are advised that it may contain images, artworks and stories of people who have passed away.

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