Traditional knowledge
Traditional Custodians have recorded sea level changes, volcanic shifts and meteoric events for over 10,000 years through story, song, dance and art.
Yolŋu and Bi Traditional Owners lead cross-cultural monitoring on the Arafura Swamp Indigenous Protected Area.
Largest Balpara cultural camp reconnects clan members on Country
Light droplets from the sky cleared the dust clouds created by vehicles as people arrived and unloaded camping equipment at Ŋaliyindi outstation on the Ganalbiŋu clan estate. For many Traditional Owners and clan members, this was a time of reconnection. The rain a welcome sign: “Country is crying with happiness that people have returned.”
In late September 2025, over 112 clan members gathered for the 2025 Balpara Camp, the largest to date, supported by Arafura Swamp Rangers and Bush Heritage staff. The outstation is hard to access and situated within the Arafura Swamp Indigenous Protected Area (IPA), approximately 780 km from Darwin and 350 km from Nhulunbuy. Coordinating the logistics of this trip was no mean feat and involved mobilising sixteen 4WD vehicles, four charter flights and two helicopter rides.
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Aboriginal people and white people putting hands together to make something good for our future generations. “Yolngi ga balanda ban nyiyala gumburrgurryugurryum banbala djamayum ngambila manymak nawala yuyung’mirrnguru gulyuk’wo” - Rexy Djarrkadama, Ranger, Arafura Swamp Rangers Aboriginal Corporation. By Sara Weir
Partnership with Arafura Swamp Rangers Aboriginal Corporation
We have been a proud partner of the Arafura Swamp Rangers since 2014. Our relationship began with our support of the Arafura Swamp Healthy Country Plan and has grown to support projects that directly contribute to the plan’s goals, including the Intercultural Monitoring and Evaluation Program (IMEP).
Balpara camps support cross-cultural monitoring of Country
Through the IMEP, the Balpara Camp methodology was developed as a Yolŋu and Bi-led, cross-cultural monitoring approach by Rembarrnga man Dr Otto Bulmaniya Campion. Balpara is the Rembarrnga word for ‘partner’ or ‘companion’, reflecting the spirit of working together to care for Country.
Designed to support families to “walk and talk on Country” together, Balpara camps provide opportunities for Yolŋu and Bi to listen, to share knowledge and observations of Country together and with partners, according to cultural lore and principles.
The process, and the knowledge built from it, feeds ongoing monitoring of the IPA and the evaluation of the Healthy Country Plan’s targets and threats. These moments help to strengthen communication between the clans and the corporation, and they support the cultural and ecological stewardship of the IPA.
– Dr Otto Bulmaniya Campion, Elder Dr Otto Bulmaniya Campion, Traditional Owner and Arafura Swamp Ranger“Balpara camp is a Yolŋu and Bi-led monitoring tool, where we bring everyone together, from Elders to children. Balpara gives clans space to renew campfire on Country, undertake rituals and pass knowledge to the next generation.”
Activities on a Balpara camp are led by Elders and are focussed on seasonal indicators and re-awakening connections with Country. To welcome participants, a Buŋgul (ceremonial song and dance) and a smoking ceremony were conducted.
For many clan members, this was their first time returning to their homeland due to past access challenges. The welcoming process ensured people felt safe, comfortable and reconnected with this part of Country throughout the week.
These cultural practices are embedded with important cultural and ecological knowledge held by the clans. Their sharing and performance at the camp occurred under the guidance and authority of Traditional Owners and in line with cultural protocols.
Ceremony forms part of how Traditional Owners observe, interpret and build knowledge of Country, supporting the efforts to monitor and maintain the health of the land.
During the week, cultural sites were visited, knowledge passed on, fish caught, yams collected and cooked, honey harvested, allowing many opportunities to monitor indicators of Country's health.
Monitoring results guide future land management
Clan members recorded videos of their observations and assessments of indicators, if they were healthy or unhealthy, and suggested actions the rangers could do to support their improvement. These will be presented in a report for the IPA committee to review and inform adaptive land management decisions.
Through camps like Balpara, we’re proud to support Traditional Owners’ aspirations for healthy Country, Culture and people. We also value the opportunity to learn more about Yolŋu and Bi Traditional Knowledge while continuing to build cultural competency for non-Indigenous staff, strengthening our ability to work the right way with partners on Country.
– Brittany Hayward-Brown, Ecologist, Aboriginal Partnerships NT.“Through attending the Ŋaliyindi Balpara Camp my understanding of the close connection between the health of language, song and Country was deepened, and I feel honoured to be able to support this important work alongside my Yolŋu and Bi colleagues at the Arafura Swamp Rangers Aboriginal Corporation.”
Celebrating the Arafura Swamp Indigenous Protected Area declaration
We also join in celebration with Arafura Swamp Rangers Aboriginal Corporation, Yolŋu and Bi Traditional Owners, who last year celebrated the formal dedication of their IPA. The IPA covers 1.3 million hectares and connects the western, eastern, and central regions of Arnhem Land – a significant milestone in their ongoing care and protection of Country and Culture.
At the heart of the IPA lies Gurruwiling (the Arafura Swamp), a vast wetland formed within a 70,000-hectare basin. It is believed to be the largest perennial wooded freshwater swamp in Northern Australia and listed as a Nationally Important Wetland.
The IPA declaration supports the continuation of traditional connection to Country and custodianship, while also providing greater opportunities for economic empowerment and employment for land and sea rangers.
We’re looking forward to future Balpara camps, supporting ongoing monitoring and walking side-by-side with ASRAC and Yolŋu and Bi Traditional Owners to care for this incredibly ecologically and culturally significant Country.
We gratefully acknowledge Yolŋu and Bi Traditional Owners for welcoming us to their Country, and Arafura Swamp Rangers Aboriginal Corporation for their ongoing partnership.
