Elders Think What? - Changes to Country and What Nyoongar Elders Have Told Us
Tracks
Ballroom 1 - In-Person Only
| Tuesday, October 13, 2026 |
| 1:45 PM - 2:05 PM |
| Ballroom 1 |
Overview
Dr Tia Whyman, Jacob West & Cammi Murrup-Stewart, Murdoch University
Three Key Learnings
Presenting under the topic Indigenous Leadership in Climate Adaptation and Country Protection
Paper
1. Elders conceptualise climate change as an extension of settler colonisation and colonial practice 2. Elders are observing changes to how and when the Nyoongar seasons present 3. Aboriginal leadership is essential for adequately responding to envrionmental change and protecting Country
1. Elders conceptualise climate change as an extension of settler colonisation and colonial practice 2. Elders are observing changes to how and when the Nyoongar seasons present 3. Aboriginal leadership is essential for adequately responding to envrionmental change and protecting Country
Presenter
Cammi Murrup-Stewart
Monash University
Elders Think What? - Changes to Country and What Nyoongar Elders Have Told Us
Presentation Overview
Connection to Country is central to Aboriginal Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB). Climate change presents an imminent and ongoing threat to this wellbeing, particularly for Aboriginal people whose spiritual, cultural and relational connections to land, waterways, seas and non-human kin are deeply embedded and interdependent.
This presentation shares insights from an Aboriginal-led research project grounded in yarning with Nyoongar Elders about the impacts of climate change. We respectfully acknowledge the Elders who have contributed their knowledge across Nyoongar Boodja. Phase one of the Changes to Country project is informed entirely by these yarns, conducted in culturally safe spaces including on Country, at Elders homes, and at Ngangk Yira Institute for Change.
Yarning as method privileges Elders as knowledge holders, storytellers, cultural leaders and living libraries. Our approach is grounded in relational accountability, reflexivity, and a commitment to walking alongside community; taking time to sit, listen, observe, and learn, rather than extract. This has enabled a collective and culturally grounded understanding of the changes being experienced on Country.
The findings highlight significant and interrelated impacts of climate change. While experiences differ across communities, common themes emerge. Most notably, Elders consistently describe a disruption to the Nyoongar seasonal calendar, with seasons no longer aligning with what is being observed on Country. Elders also discussed reduced access to traditional foods, degradation of waterways, shifting temperature patterns, and changes in animal behavior and migration. These shifts have profound implications for ecological balance, cultural practices, and the wellbeing of all living beings.
This presentation centres Elders’ voices to deepen understanding of climate change through an Aboriginal worldview and highlights the critical role of Aboriginal leadership in responding to environmental change and protecting Country.
This presentation shares insights from an Aboriginal-led research project grounded in yarning with Nyoongar Elders about the impacts of climate change. We respectfully acknowledge the Elders who have contributed their knowledge across Nyoongar Boodja. Phase one of the Changes to Country project is informed entirely by these yarns, conducted in culturally safe spaces including on Country, at Elders homes, and at Ngangk Yira Institute for Change.
Yarning as method privileges Elders as knowledge holders, storytellers, cultural leaders and living libraries. Our approach is grounded in relational accountability, reflexivity, and a commitment to walking alongside community; taking time to sit, listen, observe, and learn, rather than extract. This has enabled a collective and culturally grounded understanding of the changes being experienced on Country.
The findings highlight significant and interrelated impacts of climate change. While experiences differ across communities, common themes emerge. Most notably, Elders consistently describe a disruption to the Nyoongar seasonal calendar, with seasons no longer aligning with what is being observed on Country. Elders also discussed reduced access to traditional foods, degradation of waterways, shifting temperature patterns, and changes in animal behavior and migration. These shifts have profound implications for ecological balance, cultural practices, and the wellbeing of all living beings.
This presentation centres Elders’ voices to deepen understanding of climate change through an Aboriginal worldview and highlights the critical role of Aboriginal leadership in responding to environmental change and protecting Country.
Biography
Associate Professor Cammi Murrup-Stewart is an Aboriginal woman with close ties to Wurundjeri Country and family impacted by Stolen Generations policies. At Monash University, she works across Indigenous health equity and in the Gukwonderuk Indigenous Health Workforce Centre. Her research focuses on Indigenous social and emotional wellbeing, culturally responsive psychology education, and intersectional health equity. Grounded in Indigenous methodologies, her work centres Indigenous knowledges, strengths-based wellbeing, and community leadership. Cammi chairs the Monash Indigenous Health Equity Education Committee, won the 2020 Premier’s Award for Health and Medical Research, and advocates for Indigenous HDR mentorship, accessibility, and recognition of intersectional barriers.
Jacob West
Project Manager
Murdoch University/Ngangk Yira Institute for Change
Elders Think What? - Changes to Country and What Nyoongar Elders Have Told Us
Presentation Overview
Connection to Country is central to Aboriginal Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB). Climate change presents an imminent and ongoing threat to this wellbeing, particularly for Aboriginal people whose spiritual, cultural and relational connections to land, waterways, seas and non-human kin are deeply embedded and interdependent.
This presentation shares insights from an Aboriginal-led research project grounded in yarning with Nyoongar Elders about the impacts of climate change. We respectfully acknowledge the Elders who have contributed their knowledge across Nyoongar Boodja. Phase one of the Changes to Country project is informed entirely by these yarns, conducted in culturally safe spaces including on Country, at Elders homes, and at Ngangk Yira Institute for Change.
Yarning as method privileges Elders as knowledge holders, storytellers, cultural leaders and living libraries. Our approach is grounded in relational accountability, reflexivity, and a commitment to walking alongside community; taking time to sit, listen, observe, and learn, rather than extract. This has enabled a collective and culturally grounded understanding of the changes being experienced on Country.
The findings highlight significant and interrelated impacts of climate change. While experiences differ across communities, common themes emerge. Most notably, Elders consistently describe a disruption to the Nyoongar seasonal calendar, with seasons no longer aligning with what is being observed on Country. Elders also discussed reduced access to traditional foods, degradation of waterways, shifting temperature patterns, and changes in animal behavior and migration. These shifts have profound implications for ecological balance, cultural practices, and the wellbeing of all living beings.
This presentation centres Elders’ voices to deepen understanding of climate change through an Aboriginal worldview and highlights the critical role of Aboriginal leadership in responding to environmental change and protecting Country.
This presentation shares insights from an Aboriginal-led research project grounded in yarning with Nyoongar Elders about the impacts of climate change. We respectfully acknowledge the Elders who have contributed their knowledge across Nyoongar Boodja. Phase one of the Changes to Country project is informed entirely by these yarns, conducted in culturally safe spaces including on Country, at Elders homes, and at Ngangk Yira Institute for Change.
Yarning as method privileges Elders as knowledge holders, storytellers, cultural leaders and living libraries. Our approach is grounded in relational accountability, reflexivity, and a commitment to walking alongside community; taking time to sit, listen, observe, and learn, rather than extract. This has enabled a collective and culturally grounded understanding of the changes being experienced on Country.
The findings highlight significant and interrelated impacts of climate change. While experiences differ across communities, common themes emerge. Most notably, Elders consistently describe a disruption to the Nyoongar seasonal calendar, with seasons no longer aligning with what is being observed on Country. Elders also discussed reduced access to traditional foods, degradation of waterways, shifting temperature patterns, and changes in animal behavior and migration. These shifts have profound implications for ecological balance, cultural practices, and the wellbeing of all living beings.
This presentation centres Elders’ voices to deepen understanding of climate change through an Aboriginal worldview and highlights the critical role of Aboriginal leadership in responding to environmental change and protecting Country.
Biography
Dr Tia Whyman
Research Fellow
Murdoch University
Elders Think What? - Changes to Country and What Nyoongar Elders Have Told Us
Presentation Overview
Connection to Country is central to Aboriginal Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB). Climate change presents an imminent and ongoing threat to this wellbeing, particularly for Aboriginal people whose spiritual, cultural and relational connections to land, waterways, seas and non-human kin are deeply embedded and interdependent.
This presentation shares insights from an Aboriginal-led research project grounded in yarning with Nyoongar Elders about the impacts of climate change. We respectfully acknowledge the Elders who have contributed their knowledge across Nyoongar Boodja. Phase one of the Changes to Country project is informed entirely by these yarns, conducted in culturally safe spaces including on Country, at Elders homes, and at Ngangk Yira Institute for Change.
Yarning as method privileges Elders as knowledge holders, storytellers, cultural leaders and living libraries. Our approach is grounded in relational accountability, reflexivity, and a commitment to walking alongside community; taking time to sit, listen, observe, and learn, rather than extract. This has enabled a collective and culturally grounded understanding of the changes being experienced on Country.
The findings highlight significant and interrelated impacts of climate change. While experiences differ across communities, common themes emerge. Most notably, Elders consistently describe a disruption to the Nyoongar seasonal calendar, with seasons no longer aligning with what is being observed on Country. Elders also discussed reduced access to traditional foods, degradation of waterways, shifting temperature patterns, and changes in animal behavior and migration. These shifts have profound implications for ecological balance, cultural practices, and the wellbeing of all living beings.
This presentation centres Elders’ voices to deepen understanding of climate change through an Aboriginal worldview and highlights the critical role of Aboriginal leadership in responding to environmental change and protecting Country.
This presentation shares insights from an Aboriginal-led research project grounded in yarning with Nyoongar Elders about the impacts of climate change. We respectfully acknowledge the Elders who have contributed their knowledge across Nyoongar Boodja. Phase one of the Changes to Country project is informed entirely by these yarns, conducted in culturally safe spaces including on Country, at Elders homes, and at Ngangk Yira Institute for Change.
Yarning as method privileges Elders as knowledge holders, storytellers, cultural leaders and living libraries. Our approach is grounded in relational accountability, reflexivity, and a commitment to walking alongside community; taking time to sit, listen, observe, and learn, rather than extract. This has enabled a collective and culturally grounded understanding of the changes being experienced on Country.
The findings highlight significant and interrelated impacts of climate change. While experiences differ across communities, common themes emerge. Most notably, Elders consistently describe a disruption to the Nyoongar seasonal calendar, with seasons no longer aligning with what is being observed on Country. Elders also discussed reduced access to traditional foods, degradation of waterways, shifting temperature patterns, and changes in animal behavior and migration. These shifts have profound implications for ecological balance, cultural practices, and the wellbeing of all living beings.
This presentation centres Elders’ voices to deepen understanding of climate change through an Aboriginal worldview and highlights the critical role of Aboriginal leadership in responding to environmental change and protecting Country.
Biography
Tia Whyman is a Barkindji woman with a PhD in Psychology. Using qualitative research methods her research focuses on Aboriginal culture and Social and Emotional Wellbeing led by Elders and community members. She also loves to weave.
