Fresh Water, Salt Water by Yondee Shane Hansen

“In the sacred lands of Nyoongar people, where the Wadjak boodja (land) of the Wadjak clan stretched across the south-western coast of what is now known as the City of Stirling, the waters told a story of connection and harmony.

Two water spirits inhabited this landscape: the spirit of the freshwater, roamed the wetlands, while the spirit of the saltwater, ruled over the coastal regions. Both spirits existed in a delicate balance, their realms interwoven through ancient waterways that cradled life and nurtured the land.

Each crashing wave and gentle tide carried whispers of the Dreamtime, shaping the sandy shores and rocky cliffs. Upon these coastal regions, with every bare-footed walk across the cool dunes, guiding them with wisdom as old as the sea.

During the rainfall, fresh and saltwater mingled in estuaries, blurring boundaries and sustaining life beyond compare. These moments of confluence were celebrated, as they signified unity and respect, reminding the Nyoongar people of the interconnectedness of all things.

Thus, the land of Stirling, embraced by wetlands and kissed by the ocean, stories were written in the tides and sung by the wind, forever guiding the Nyoongar people and those who walk these paths today.

These Nyoongar stories remind us that we too are custodians of this earth, drawing our strength from understanding and valuing the connections that unite us all within this rich tapestry of life.” - Yondee Shane Hansen, Artist