Layer

NameWA Journey Ways - Jindalee Songline
Description

A songline is a story associated with a journey made by a Spiritual ancestor. During this journey landscape and landmarks were formed, relationships were observed and established, mistakes made, lessons learnt, skills developed and the values of the community established. Songlines are still walked and sung and as such are living narratives. Jindalee (she has different names in other places) is s Spirit Woman from the Koondarn (dreamtime). She is present as the world emerges from The Nyitiny (cold, dark time). The trees had taken root on the earth and the spirit ancestors of animals were finding homes in the new landscape. When Jindalee first made her journey the coastline was approximately 200m west of the current coastline so some of her footprints  are now underwater. Where she walked her footprints created hollows that collected water and became oasis for flora and fauna and later for people. 

TypeJourney
Content Warning
ContributorJacqui Wright
Entries40
Allow ANPS? No
Added to System2023-07-25 14:45:54
Updated in System2023-08-14 15:48:35
Subject indigenous, aboriginal, western australia, journey way, deep time, songline
CreatorNoel Nannup in 'Journey Ways' project, Dr Francesca Robertson, Dr Noel Nannup, Alison Nannup.
PublisherWA Journey Ways is a collaboration of Kurongkurl Katitjin, Edith Cowan University and WA Main Roads.
Contactbill.pascoe@newcastle.edu.au
Citation

Nannup, Karda Noel, 'Moondang-Ak Kaaradjiny', Batchelor Press, 2006. 

DOI
Source URLhttps://batchelorpress.com/node/386
Linkbackhttps://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/community-environment/aboriginal-engagement/aboriginal-journey-ways/
Date From
Date To
Image
Latitude From
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Latitude To
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LanguageEN
LicenseCopyright. Do not re-use without permission.
Usage Rights

Permissions provided for by Noel Nannup for TLC Map. Do not re-use without permission. An illustrated version of the story can be found at: Nannup Karda Noel, “Moondang-Ak Kaaradjiny”, Batchelor Press, Australia, 2006. 

Date Created (externally)2023-07-24

Jindalee Songline 

Placename
Kaarta Garup
Type
Other

Details

Latitude
-31.961111
Longitude
115.841389
Start Date
End Date

Description

It was still uncertain who would become the carers of everything. Jindalee was looking out from Kaarta Garup (head camp) on Mount Eliza, Kings Park, and saw beautiful little lights. She was curious and discovered the lights were in the eyes of Spirit Children. Jindalee was entranced and followed the Spirit Children onto the land. Jindalee turned south, collecting the children and putting them in her hair. 

Sources

TLCMap ID
tc2177
Linkback
https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/community-environment/aboriginal-engagement/aboriginal-journey-ways/
Created At
2023-07-26 11:07:07
Updated At
2023-12-11 17:48:38

Jindalee Songline

Placename
Coombarnup
Type
Other

Details

Latitude
-33.311111
Longitude
115.666111
Start Date
End Date

Description

Her journey begins when she put her feet on the land near Coombarnup (Bunbury).  This was and remains a major meeting place for the three Nyoongar nations the Waardandi, the Kaneang and Pindjarup people whose land connects just east of Coombarnup.  

Sources

TLCMap ID
tc2178
Linkback
https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/community-environment/aboriginal-engagement/aboriginal-journey-ways/
Created At
2023-07-26 11:07:07
Updated At
2023-12-11 17:48:38

Jindalee Songline

Placename
Leschenault Estuary 
Type
Other

Details

Latitude
-33.26333
Longitude
115.696111
Start Date
End Date

Description

Jindalee's footprint. Sea levels have risen since this footprint was made and it is now joined to the sea

Sources

TLCMap ID
tc2179
Linkback
https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/community-environment/aboriginal-engagement/aboriginal-journey-ways/
Created At
2023-07-26 11:07:07
Updated At
2023-12-11 17:48:38

Jindalee Songline

Placename
Yalgorap  
Type
Other

Details

Latitude
-32.908333
Longitude
115.6775
Start Date
End Date

Description

Jindalee Footprint. Her tasks, as she walked this way, was to ensure the rivers were clean and there was food for the birds. Her footprints were, and remain, places where rivers flowed. 

Sources

TLCMap ID
tc217a
Linkback
https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/community-environment/aboriginal-engagement/aboriginal-journey-ways/
Created At
2023-07-26 11:07:07
Updated At
2023-12-11 17:48:38

Jindalee Songline

Placename
Noorook Yalgorap  
Type
Other

Details

Latitude
-32.745
Longitude
115.653611
Start Date
End Date

Description

Jindalee footprint.  Noorook Yalgorap (Lake Clifton) means the lake with eggs. It is, like all Yalgurap, a yorka (womens) place as is the area known as Wokalup, place of the Rainbow Serpent. Noorook Yalgorap links Jindalee in both her Spirit Woman and Rainbow Serpent forms. The noorook (eggs) are a reference to the eggs laid by the Rainbow Serpent. They are the thrombolites, which, like stromatolites are produced by excretions of an algea called cynobateria. Jindalee wept rainbow tears and gave the world colour, cynobacteria also gave the world colour. 

Sources

TLCMap ID
tc217b
Linkback
https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/community-environment/aboriginal-engagement/aboriginal-journey-ways/
Created At
2023-07-26 11:07:07
Updated At
2023-12-11 17:48:38

Jindalee Songline

Placename
Djilda  
Type
Other

Details

Latitude
-32.573056
Longitude
115.676667
Start Date
End Date

Description

Jindalee's footprints, now partly inundated with seawater, known as Peel-Harvey Estuary. A place such great bounty it was a major meeting place. Mandjar (Mandurah) with its bays full of fish and shellfish and proximity to the seasonal benefits of Djilda and the surrounding swamps made an excellent place for large gatherings at almost any time of the year. Mandja became a marketplace where people from many places gathered to trade ochres, tools made from particular stone and plants and their extracts that were not locally available such as pidjeri, from which an oral nicotine lozenge was made. Any large gathering place inevitably leads to the blossoming of new relationships. Unlike Mandjmup, which was a place of arranging and conducting marriages, Mandjoogoorap (meeting place of the heart) was perhaps a place where those from different tribal groups could find a partner, provided their totems were appropriate. 

Sources

TLCMap ID
tc217c
Linkback
https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/community-environment/aboriginal-engagement/aboriginal-journey-ways/
Created At
2023-07-26 11:07:07
Updated At
2023-12-11 17:48:38

Jindalee Songline

Placename
Barragup Lake and Goegrup lake
Type
Other

Details

Latitude
-32.5375
Longitude
115.798889
Start Date
End Date

Description

Jindalee's footprints.  At Barrgup, there is a traditional mungah (fish weir). 

Sources

TLCMap ID
tc217d
Linkback
https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/community-environment/aboriginal-engagement/aboriginal-journey-ways/
Created At
2023-07-26 11:07:07
Updated At
2023-12-11 17:48:38

Jindalee Songline

Placename
Walyungarup
Type
Other

Details

Latitude
-32.339722
Longitude
115.771389
Start Date
End Date

Description

Walyungarup (place where Nyoongars talk) was probably a meeting place, the area could sustain a number of people at certain times of the year 

Sources

TLCMap ID
tc217e
Linkback
https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/community-environment/aboriginal-engagement/aboriginal-journey-ways/
Created At
2023-07-26 11:07:07
Updated At
2023-12-11 17:48:38

Jindalee Songline

Placename
Lake Cooloongup  
Type
Other

Details

Latitude
-32.295556
Longitude
115.771389
Start Date
End Date

Description

Jindalee's footprint, between here and Jennalup (Blackwall Reach) her footprints have been covered by sea. 

Sources

TLCMap ID
tc217f
Linkback
https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/community-environment/aboriginal-engagement/aboriginal-journey-ways/
Created At
2023-07-26 11:07:07
Updated At
2023-12-11 17:48:38

Jindalee Songline

Placename
Banganup lake 
Type
Other

Details

Latitude
-32.165
Longitude
115.824167
Start Date
End Date

Description

Jindalee's footprint, also known as toodjabubup toodja meaning a plentiful as in Toodjay (place of plenty) 

Sources

TLCMap ID
tc2180
Linkback
https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/community-environment/aboriginal-engagement/aboriginal-journey-ways/
Created At
2023-07-26 11:07:07
Updated At
2023-12-11 17:48:38

Jindalee Songline

Placename
Jilbup 
Type
Other

Details

Latitude
-32.144167
Longitude
115.825833
Start Date
End Date

Description

Jindalee's footprint, now known as Thomson's Lake 

Sources

TLCMap ID
tc2181
Linkback
https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/community-environment/aboriginal-engagement/aboriginal-journey-ways/
Created At
2023-07-26 11:07:07
Updated At
2023-12-11 17:48:38

Jindalee Songline

Placename
Yangebup 
Type
Other

Details

Latitude
-32.123056
Longitude
115.834444
Start Date
End Date

Description

Jindalee's footprint. Yangebup named, like Yanchep, after the native flax yanget. 

Sources

TLCMap ID
tc2182
Linkback
https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/community-environment/aboriginal-engagement/aboriginal-journey-ways/
Created At
2023-07-26 11:07:07
Updated At
2023-12-11 17:48:38

Jindalee Songline

Placename
Walliabup 
Type
Other

Details

Latitude
-32.094722
Longitude
115.786111
Start Date
End Date

Description

Jindalee's footprint, now known as Bibra Lake. 

Sources

TLCMap ID
tc2183
Linkback
https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/community-environment/aboriginal-engagement/aboriginal-journey-ways/
Created At
2023-07-26 11:07:07
Updated At
2023-12-11 17:48:38

Jindalee Songline

Placename
Jennalup  
Type
Other

Details

Latitude
-32.016111
Longitude
115.786111
Start Date
End Date

Description

Jindalee’s footprints come back on land at Jennalup meaning place of the foot (Blackwall Reach). Her footprint created the deepest part of the river. It was the place where one of the Spirit Children grasped onto her hair with long fingernails, snapping off her hair and it fell to the earth, this has become closely associated with Lake Joondalup. Jennalup was traditionally a place for woman. When boys were undergoing a ritual test for manhood, they needed to jump off the Reach, catch a fish and present it to their women folk waiting by the spit at what is now Point Walter.   

Sources

TLCMap ID
tc2184
Linkback
https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/community-environment/aboriginal-engagement/aboriginal-journey-ways/
Created At
2023-07-26 11:07:07
Updated At
2023-12-11 17:48:38

Jindalee Songline

Placename
Beebeenup 
Type
Other

Details

Latitude
-31.91
Longitude
115.846111
Start Date
End Date

Description

Jindalee footprint now known as Dog Swamp 

Sources

TLCMap ID
tc2185
Linkback
https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/community-environment/aboriginal-engagement/aboriginal-journey-ways/
Created At
2023-07-26 11:07:07
Updated At
2023-12-11 17:48:38

Jindalee Songline

Placename
Galup  
Type
Other

Details

Latitude
-31.926667
Longitude
115.822778
Start Date
End Date

Description

Jindalee's footprint, now known as Lake Monger. 

Sources

TLCMap ID
tc2186
Linkback
https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/community-environment/aboriginal-engagement/aboriginal-journey-ways/
Created At
2023-07-26 11:07:07
Updated At
2023-12-11 17:48:38

Jindalee Songline

Placename
Ngoogenboro
Type
Other

Details

Latitude
-31.923611
Longitude
115.813611
Start Date
End Date

Description

Jindalee's footprint, now known as Herdsman Lake. 

Sources

TLCMap ID
tc2187
Linkback
https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/community-environment/aboriginal-engagement/aboriginal-journey-ways/
Created At
2023-07-26 11:07:07
Updated At
2023-12-11 17:48:38

Jindalee Songline

Placename
Gwelup 
Type
Other

Details

Latitude
-31.878333
Longitude
115.789167
Start Date
End Date

Description

Jindalee’s footprint. 

Sources

TLCMap ID
tc2188
Linkback
https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/community-environment/aboriginal-engagement/aboriginal-journey-ways/
Created At
2023-07-26 11:07:07
Updated At
2023-12-11 17:48:38

Jindalee Songline

Placename
Karrinyup
Type
Other

Details

Latitude
-31.923333
Longitude
115.786944
Start Date
End Date

Description

Jindalee’s footprint now known as Karrinyup Waters. 

Sources

TLCMap ID
tc2189
Linkback
https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/community-environment/aboriginal-engagement/aboriginal-journey-ways/
Created At
2023-07-26 11:07:07
Updated At
2023-12-11 17:48:38

Jindalee Songline

Placename
Goollelal
Type
Other

Details

Latitude
-31.075833
Longitude
115.811389
Start Date
End Date

Description

Jindalee’s footprint. 

Sources

TLCMap ID
tc218a
Linkback
https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/community-environment/aboriginal-engagement/aboriginal-journey-ways/
Created At
2023-07-26 11:07:07
Updated At
2023-12-11 17:48:38

Jindalee Songline

Placename
Joondalup
Type
Other

Details

Latitude
-31.744444
Longitude
115.795833
Start Date
End Date

Description

Jindalee's footprint’s created a series of lakes here. Although Jennalup (Blackwall Reach) was the place where Jindalee’s hair fell it has become closely associated with Lake Joondalup. This is because at certain times of the year the lake gives a wonderful reflection of the Joondal – the Milky Way. Hence the name jondal (hair).  

Sources

TLCMap ID
tc218b
Linkback
https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/community-environment/aboriginal-engagement/aboriginal-journey-ways/
Created At
2023-07-26 11:07:07
Updated At
2023-12-11 17:48:38

Jindalee Songline

Placename
Neerabub 
Type
Other

Details

Latitude
-31.678611
Longitude
115.749444
Start Date
End Date

Description

Jindalee’s footprint. 

Sources

TLCMap ID
tc218c
Linkback
https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/community-environment/aboriginal-engagement/aboriginal-journey-ways/
Created At
2023-07-26 11:07:07
Updated At
2023-12-11 17:48:38

Jindalee Songline

Placename
Nowergup 
Type
Other

Details

Latitude
-31.633889
Longitude
115.729722

Description

Jindalee's footprint. Lake Nowergup means a place of sweet water. 

Sources

TLCMap ID
tc218d
Linkback
https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/community-environment/aboriginal-engagement/aboriginal-journey-ways/
Created At
2023-07-26 11:07:07
Updated At
2023-12-11 17:48:38

Jindalee Songline

Placename
Carabodah 
Type
Other

Details

Latitude
-31.6175
Longitude
115.7225
Start Date
End Date

Description

Jindalee’s footprint, now a small lake. 

Sources

TLCMap ID
tc218e
Linkback
https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/community-environment/aboriginal-engagement/aboriginal-journey-ways/
Created At
2023-07-26 11:07:07
Updated At
2023-12-11 17:48:38

Jindalee Songline

Placename
Pipidinny 
Type
Other

Details

Latitude
-31.583889
Longitude
115.683889
Start Date
End Date

Description

Jindalee’s footprint, now a swamp. 

Sources

TLCMap ID
tc218f
Linkback
https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/community-environment/aboriginal-engagement/aboriginal-journey-ways/
Created At
2023-07-26 11:07:07
Updated At
2023-12-11 17:48:38

Jindalee Songline

Placename
Wilgarup 
Type
Other

Details

Latitude
-31.573611
Longitude
115.694722
Start Date
End Date

Description

Jindalee’s footprint. 

Sources

TLCMap ID
tc2190
Linkback
https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/community-environment/aboriginal-engagement/aboriginal-journey-ways/
Created At
2023-07-26 11:07:07
Updated At
2023-12-11 17:48:38

Jindalee Songline

Placename
Yonderup 
Type
Other

Details

Latitude
-31.556389
Longitude
115.686389
Start Date
End Date

Description

Jindalee’s footprint. 

Sources

TLCMap ID
tc2191
Linkback
https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/community-environment/aboriginal-engagement/aboriginal-journey-ways/
Created At
2023-07-26 11:07:07
Updated At
2023-12-11 17:48:38

Jindalee Songline

Placename
Yanchep (Crystal Cave) 
Type
Other

Details

Latitude
-31.5475
Longitude
115.6925
Start Date
End Date

Description

Jindalee passed here on her way north, leaving a crystal cave. Named after the native flax yanget. 

Sources

TLCMap ID
tc2192
Linkback
https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/community-environment/aboriginal-engagement/aboriginal-journey-ways/
Created At
2023-07-26 11:07:07
Updated At
2023-12-11 17:48:38

Jindalee Songline

Placename
Yanchep (Waters) 
Type
Other

Details

Latitude
-31.532222
Longitude
115.6725
Start Date
End Date

Description

Jindalee's footprint. Yanget grows extensively here. The root is about a finger in diameter and a foot length long and is used to make bread after being peeled, roasted and pounded to make flour. Burning of the leaves prior to the April-May harvest improved the flavour of the bulb. The yanget season was a time for people to gather and celebrate. The rushes were extremely useful as they were made into a string, which had all manner of purposes including the construction of nets. Nets were used for fishing and for catching waterfowl. Strategically hung between trees a Nyoongar would use his boomerang to cause the birds on the water to rise in panic and be caught in the net. 

Sources

TLCMap ID
tc2193
Linkback
https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/community-environment/aboriginal-engagement/aboriginal-journey-ways/
Created At
2023-07-26 11:07:07
Updated At
2023-12-11 17:48:38

Jindalee Songline

Placename
Yanchep (Springs) 
Type
Other

Details

Latitude
-31.455833
Longitude
115.665
Start Date
End Date

Description

Jindalee's left springs in her wake.  

Sources

TLCMap ID
tc2194
Linkback
https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/community-environment/aboriginal-engagement/aboriginal-journey-ways/
Created At
2023-07-26 11:07:07
Updated At
2023-12-11 17:48:38

Jindalee Songline

Placename
Unnamed 
Type
Other

Details

Latitude
-31.4275
Longitude
115.521389
Start Date
End Date

Description

Jindalee songline carries on north under the ocean.  

Sources

TLCMap ID
tc2195
Linkback
https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/community-environment/aboriginal-engagement/aboriginal-journey-ways/
Created At
2023-07-26 11:07:07
Updated At
2023-12-11 17:48:38

Jindalee Songline

Placename
Unnamed 
Type
Other

Details

Latitude
-28.865278
Longitude
114.614722
Start Date
End Date

Description

Jindalee songline carries on north under the ocean.

Sources

TLCMap ID
tc2196
Linkback
https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/community-environment/aboriginal-engagement/aboriginal-journey-ways/
Created At
2023-07-26 11:07:07
Updated At
2023-12-11 17:48:38

Jindalee Songline

Placename
Africa Reef 
Type
Other

Details

Latitude
-23.799167
Longitude
114.578056
Start Date
End Date

Description

Her footprints and the children who fell from her hair as rocks created what is now called the African Reef system.  

Sources

TLCMap ID
tc2197
Linkback
https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/community-environment/aboriginal-engagement/aboriginal-journey-ways/
Created At
2023-07-26 11:07:07
Updated At
2023-12-11 17:48:38

Jindalee Songline

Placename
Jambinbirri
Type
Other

Details

Latitude
-28.399167
Longitude
115
Start Date
End Date

Description

Jindalee resting place now known as Chapman Valley.   

Sources

TLCMap ID
tc2198
Linkback
https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/community-environment/aboriginal-engagement/aboriginal-journey-ways/
Created At
2023-07-26 11:07:07
Updated At
2023-12-11 17:48:38

Jindalee Songline

Placename
Nabawa 
Type
Other

Details

Latitude
-28.693611
Longitude
114.647222
Start Date
End Date

Description

Jindalee turned east to Nabawa. She needed to rest, she sat down creating a valley surrounded by flat topped hills. As she rested a family formed called numarakara. They are represented by a big rock for Dad, a smaller rock for Mum and little rocks for the kid

Sources

TLCMap ID
tc2199
Linkback
https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/community-environment/aboriginal-engagement/aboriginal-journey-ways/
Created At
2023-07-26 11:07:07
Updated At
2023-12-11 17:48:38

Jindalee Songline

Placename
Mingenew 
Type
Other

Details

Latitude
-29.193056
Longitude
115.442222
Start Date
End Date

Description

Jindalee's footprint. She suddenly realised that picking up the children was wrong for they were the future generations of carers of everything. She began to wander around in a panic. 

Sources

TLCMap ID
tc219a
Linkback
https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/community-environment/aboriginal-engagement/aboriginal-journey-ways/
Created At
2023-07-26 11:07:07
Updated At
2023-12-11 17:48:38

Jindalee Songline

Placename
Jennacubine 
Type
Other

Details

Latitude
-31.441389
Longitude
116.717222
Start Date
End Date

Description

Jennacubine (footprint of spirit woman). 

Sources

TLCMap ID
tc219b
Linkback
https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/community-environment/aboriginal-engagement/aboriginal-journey-ways/
Created At
2023-07-26 11:07:07
Updated At
2023-12-11 17:48:38

Jindalee Songline

Placename
Meckering 
Type
Other

Details

Latitude
-31.628333
Longitude
117.0075
Start Date
End Date

Description

Jindalee grew afraid and trembled, the trembling moved down into the land. She cried out; “what have I done? What have I done?” The place where Jindalee trembled is now known as the Southwest Seismic Zone, a region of concentrated intra-plate seismicity, which produces swarms of trembles. This zone delivered the famous Meckering earthquake, registering 6.9 on the Richter Scale in 1968. 

Sources

TLCMap ID
tc219c
Linkback
https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/community-environment/aboriginal-engagement/aboriginal-journey-ways/
Created At
2023-07-26 11:07:07
Updated At
2023-12-11 17:48:38

Jindalee Songline

Placename
Wal kwetjang 
Type
Other

Details

Latitude
-31.181389
Longitude
117.381944
Start Date
End Date

Description

Jindalee tried to put the children back on the land but they turned to stone. She let go of her hair and Spirit Children tumbled to the ground turning to stone, the stones became higher and higher. She began to run, weeping, moving into land that she had not been in before, the Spirit Children still in her hair were screaming in fear…More children were falling and turning to stone, the piles of stones grew higher and higher. Where Jindalee roamed over the land in great distress, there are now chains of salt lakes. These are vestiges of ancient river systems. When seen on satellite image these little salt lakes look like strings of tears. The area is now known as Wyalkatchem but when it was first recoded in 1876 it was as Wal kwetjang, an approximation of what the local Nyoongars called it, which translates as land of ancient tears. 

Sources

TLCMap ID
tc219d
Linkback
https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/community-environment/aboriginal-engagement/aboriginal-journey-ways/
Created At
2023-07-26 11:07:07
Updated At
2023-12-11 17:48:38

Jindalee Songline

Placename
Kartagitj  
Type
Other

Details

Latitude
-32.4425
Longitude
118.893056
Start Date
End Date

Description

More children were falling and turning to stone, the piles of stones grew higher and higher. Jindalee put her foot on the pile of stones, and they tumbled and rolled like a wave down through the southwest. The stone beneath her foot suddenly sprang up like a trampoline flinging the Spirit Woman up into the sky. This was called Kartagitj (head first like a spear). It is now known as Wave Rock. The songline continues in the sky, her hair spread out to form the Milky Way and the remaining children are stars in the Milky Way. Continue reading the story in Noel Karda Nannup’s book Moondang-ak Koorliny kaaradiny (Batchelor Press, NT. 2006) 

Sources

TLCMap ID
tc219e
Linkback
https://www.mainroads.wa.gov.au/community-environment/aboriginal-engagement/aboriginal-journey-ways/
Created At
2023-07-26 11:07:07
Updated At
2023-12-11 17:48:38
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