Aboriginal Connections

Two groups of Aboriginal people have a long history of association with the Simpson Desert, the Southern Arrente and Wangkangnurru peoples. There are several homeland areas within the Simpson so that these people can help in the management of the National Parks. This also assists them to contimue their cultural relationship with the area as well as providing employement and local knowledge to other Parks' personnel and visitors. The Department of Environment and Heritage and Irrwanyere Aboriginal Corporation jointly manages Witjira National Park. The area around Dalhousie was and continues to be very important to Aboriginal people as a place of ceremony and bonding with other groups. A series of wells completed and maintained by Aboriginal people enabled groups to live away from the permanent water. Some European explorers have taken advantage of these wells from time to time, although I believe now they are difficult to find and some are covered in sand.

In the dunal areas of the Simpson rocks and stones are rare. We found a few as we progressed, a couple we thought could have been grinding stones. It's important to look at, but not remove if you find such stones, just in case they are Aboriginal artifacts.

At Poeppel Corner, an interpretative sign acknowledges the Wangangnurru Aboriginal people and they in turn welcome us onto their lands.

More information on Aboriginal occupation is available at the following website:

http://www.diamantina-tour.com.au/outback_info/simpson_desert/aboriginal_occupation/aboriginal_occupation.htm