Cultural Mapping
Mob-led mapping done the right way—transform your cultural knowledge into powerful mapping solutions for Country.
What is Cultural Mapping?
Winyama partners with Indigenous communities to create cultural maps—powerful tools for Indigenous placemaking. Cultural mapping documents and represents the cultural resources, heritage, and assets of a specific individual, community, or geographical area. It is a truth-telling exercise and a path towards Indigenous data sovereignty, undertaken in partnership with Elders of the local area.
Indigenous landscapes are alive with local stories, practices, relationships, memories, and rituals that make places meaningful. Cultural mapping reveals both tangible elements, such as landmarks and artefacts, and intangible elements, such as biographies, songlines, and Dreamtime stories.
By presenting the landscape through an Indigenous lens, it helps communicate the deep connections between people, place, and culture. Increasingly, it is also recognised as an effective way for Indigenous communities to communicate the value of place to internal and external stakeholders.
We Combine Tradition and Technology
Through our Direct-to-Digital methodology, we utilise digital and cloud technology to document, store, and share cultural information.
Oral history has been at the heart of Indigenous communities since time immemorial—and always will be. At Winyama, we harness digital technology to preserve these stories, ensuring the wisdom and legacy of our Elders continue for future generations.
Find out more about Winyama’s Direct-to-Digital Methodology.
Data Capture and Outputs
A cultural mapping project with Winyama will unveil…
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Reawaken the traditional names of local lakes, parks and the surrounding natural environment.
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Visualise the similarities and adaptions of how Indigenous economies functioned before colonisation and their continued relevance in the present day.
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Discover the relationships between individuals, their land, and the events that have shaped their lives.
Cultural Mapping for Truth-Telling
Cultural mapping can expose the extent of the injustices faced by our Indigenous peoples. By mapping information from our Elders, we can begin to understand their lived experience. It is all part of the truth-telling process.
While we can’t predict every future application of cultural mapping, we can see its value in action today. The Kimberley Land Council, for example, is working with Karajarri Elders to record evidence that could be used in future Native Title compensation claims. Given that these claims take years, if not decades, to be resolved, this proactive approach ensures that firsthand testimonies are preserved.
Evidence from people who have experienced these injustices first-hand is irreplaceable. And while we can’t say for certain at this point whether this documentation would stand up in a courtroom, its value is undeniable.
Why Winyama?
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We have Aboriginal-influence at every level of our organisation and are actively working to increase the number of Indigenous people in tech. Opting to work with Winyama as an Indigenous supplier will support us in this mission.
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Our combination of domain knowledge and technical skill uniquely positions us as experts in cultural mapping and mapping work that relates to the Indigenous estate. Our approach prioritises key considerations, including privacy, women’s and men’s business, Indigenous Cultural Intellectual Property (ICIP) and restricted knowledge, ensuring these are handled with cultural safety and care.
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It is our promise to you that you are 100% in control over your data. Our cultural mapping clients remain the sole decision makers over their information.
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While the Winyama head office is available in Perth, Western Australia our team is flexible and ready to fly to you. We understand the importance of this work and will make every effort to work with you to get your cultural mapping project off the ground.
Past Projects - Karri Karrak
Karri Karrak is the Noongar Cultural Authority for the South West Boojarah region. In September 2023, they engaged with Winyama to undertake a cultural mapping project. This project documented the knowledge and histories of 30 Elders and Knowledge Holders from the region.
Over multiple field trips, our team built relationships and recorded 642 significant sites using geospatial technology. Amalgamated into one geodatabase, Karri Karrak staff were trained to manage and update this resource independently.
This cultural mapping project will help inform decision-making and is an intergenerational resource that ensures the enduring legacy of Noongar cultural heritage.
