We are thrilled to announce that the Barkandji/Paakantyi, Mutthi Mutthi and Ngiyampaa communities with SharingStories Foundation have launched the innovative new mobile app called Mungo Stories: Walk Together. The project is the result of years of collaboration with NSW Parks and Wildlife and Mildura Primary School.
The innovative project is not only a culmination of many years of research, planning, design and recording of cultural knowledge/s to create a place- based-application aimed at supporting cultural tourism, but also provides a vital link to build respect for Custodians, Country and culture.
The free mobile application is designed to offer visitors to the region a dynamic experience and immerse themselves in living stories narrated by Barkandji/Paakantyi, Mutthi Mutthi and Ngiyampaa First Nations Custodians. The on Country only application invites visitors to discover story markers across the national park that depict important cultural stories of the region, through GPS map technology.
The overall work brings stories from an ancient landscape, renowned for its rich cultural history dating back thousands of years. We would like to acknowledge all custodians involved in the project including Uncle Warren Clark, Aunty Tanya Charles, Uncle Ivan Johnston, Uncle Ernest Mitchell, Aunty Junette Mitchell, Leanne Mitchell, Daryl Pappin, Aunty Mary Pappin, Maureen Reyland, Lawrence Slade, Aunty Dawn Smith and Auntie Lottie Williams who narrated the work, and Ngiyampaa artist, Nola Taylor, for her illustrations and the Mildura Primary school students for their interpretation of the cultural knowledge shared through illustrations and animations.
Barkandji/Paakantyi Traditional Owner Uncle Ivan Johnston said the three tribal groups are proud to share their history, Culture and stories with visitors to Mungo.
“The Willandra lakes is a very special place, as it tells us about how our ancestors once lived, evidence of how they survived an ice age, clues to what animals they ate and how they hunted them. Not only is this place significant for Aboriginal people but also for non-Aboriginal people to learn about human history,” said Uncle Ivan.
In addition, to support the region’s tourism, the culture app also promotes local tours run by the Mungo National Park’s Aboriginal Discovery Rangers who offer visitors the opportunity to ‘go beyond the boardwalk’ and meet the community. A link to the Aboriginal Discovery Rangers tour bookings site is also embedded in the app.
SharingStories is immensely proud to have had the opportunity to work with the Barkandji/Paakantyi, Mutthi Mutthi and Ngiyampaa community over the years to bring these ancient stories to life. SharingStories Foundation CEO, Pitta Pitta woman Sharon Williams said an important part of creating the app was to share the Custodian’s living stories in the place where they belong.
“We’re honoured that the Barkandji/Paakantyi, Mutthi Mutthi and Ngiyampaa communities have trusted us with their stories and have worked alongside us to see this digital storytelling project come to life,” Ms Williams said.
“We hope to welcome a new generation of travellers – young and old – to learn the remarkable stories of Mungo.”
To learn more about the app go to: https://sharingstoriesfoundation.org/mungo-stories/