num_pages: 314
description: This book is a culmination of the Western Australian Aboriginal Journey Ways Project, a collaboration between ECU and Main Roads WA. The book presents the voices of many Elders and other traditional knowledge holders talking about ancient and recent journeys made on trails now aligned with main roads in WA. Their words are placed in both a historical and geographic context which also tells the story of Aboriginal occupation of the state.The aim of this project was to research and articulate traditional cultural meanings of selected Aboriginal journey ways that are aligned with modern main roads and bridges. Aboriginal journey ways include songlines, trade routes, migration journeys, family walking trails and ceremonial routes. A songline is a story associated with a journey made by a spiritual ancestor. During this journey landscape and landmarks were formed, relationships were observed and established, mistakes were made, lessons were learnt, skills were developed, and the values of the community were established. A songline has many meanings - for example, at one level a songline is a map and the story is embedded in the landscape.
language: English
title: Aboriginal Journey Ways: How Ancient Trails Shaped Our Roads
publisher: Edith Cowan University and Main Roads Western Australia