The Indigenous people whose traditional lands are the area of Canberra and the Australian Capital Territory are The Ngunnawal people (alternatively Ngunnawal tribe). First encountered by European settlers in the 1820s, the Ngunnawal people lived in an area roughly bounded by what are now the towns of Queanbeyan, Boorowa and Goulburn. The meaning of Ngunnawal is we, the people, or us and today’s spelling came from the settlers, the original spelling was Ngoonawal (rhyming with soon). The region was also a significant meeting place to neighbouring clans, including the Ngarigo, Wolgalu, Gundungurra, Yuin and Wiradjuri people. Ceremonies, trading and marriages between people of different clans took place during such gatherings.
Although the whole of the ACT has not been subjected to a comprehensive survey and a record of all Aboriginal sites does not exist, it is known that Canberra has more than 3,500 known Aboriginal heritage sites, which indicate the extensive occupation of this area by Aboriginal people. Discovery of these sites have been as a result of archaeological and heritage surveys, information provided by members of the local Aboriginal community and interested members of the public with the newest sites being discovered after the January …show more content…
Even today, the statistics for Aboriginal people show they are still disadvantaged (eg lower life expectancy, lower education and income, higher rate of suicide, infant mortality, imprisonment and alcohol consumption and alcohol related illness). We can encourage and be part of the change by learning more about their culture and different needs and how we can support them in
Although the whole of the ACT has not been subjected to a comprehensive survey and a record of all Aboriginal sites does not exist, it is known that Canberra has more than 3,500 known Aboriginal heritage sites, which indicate the extensive occupation of this area by Aboriginal people. Discovery of these sites have been as a result of archaeological and heritage surveys, information provided by members of the local Aboriginal community and interested members of the public with the newest sites being discovered after the January …show more content…
Even today, the statistics for Aboriginal people show they are still disadvantaged (eg lower life expectancy, lower education and income, higher rate of suicide, infant mortality, imprisonment and alcohol consumption and alcohol related illness). We can encourage and be part of the change by learning more about their culture and different needs and how we can support them in