Aboriginal Culture, Heritage
& Arts Association of NSW

Searching over long distances

Yarkuwa Indigenous Knowledge Centre Aboriginal Corporation has a membership composed of local traditional owners connected to the Wamba Wamba and Perrepa Perrepa Nations. It covers the northern part of the Wamba Wamba /Perrepa Perrepa Country and includes the district around Deniliquin and Moonacullah.

Yarkuwa was born out of a TAFE NSW training program in 2003 that focused on researching and documenting local Wamba Wamba/Perrepa Perrepa family and community history. Led by David Crew, the current manager, Yarkuwa has grown to include many other programs particularly land management and conservation training including cultural heritage identification, assessment, and protection.

The name Yarkuwa was chosen because in our language it means to search over long distances, which reflected what was experienced by the people taking part. Our logo, created by a participant and local artist Brett Ross, was chosen for its significance to the local culture. The Nightjar Owl is our female totem, while the male totem is the Magpie. Yarkuwa now holds and protects the information gathered during that initial process and shares some of the history with the community and others visiting Deniliquin, helping people find connections between each other and other communities. The display area features posters containing family tree information and a collection of historical photographs. Yarkuwa also exhibits information on the local and regional culture. Yarkuwa’s Board membership draws from local Traditional Owners and includes senior members of the community and emerging leaders.

Yarkuwa’s objectives are:

• To collate and maintain cultural, heritage and environmental information as it relates to Wamba Wamba and Perrapa Perrapa country.
• To provide an educational service to the wider community including schools and community groups
• To engage in negotiations with Local, State and Federal and other agencies on matters relating to culture, heritage and the environment.
• To provide the means for members to develop skills that will allow them to be involved in the provision of educational and research services.
• To provide a centre to facilitate the transfer of knowledge from one generation to the next.
• To acquire and hold title to land and water for the purposes of economic and cultural economy, cultural heritage, education and conservation.

Yakuwa’s programs include:

• Family and Community History
• Environment Projects - Deniliquin and Werai
• Cultural Education Program
• Language development and teaching
• Cultural Heritage assessments
• Community Wellbeing – Tityap-Telkaya and Gym project
• Carer research
• Landcare – Werrpankata Fish Park and Deniliquin Lagoons
• Indigenous River Rangers

Our major celebration focuses on Wamba Wamba /Perrepa Perrepa culture and history. The program runs in October to cater as the weather warms during the growing season when traditional foods, herbs and medicines are abundant and can be included in the cultural tours. Tours of the Island Sanctuary and Murray Regional Park are popular with school children, with more than 500 attending.

Yarkuwa maintains a close working relationship with the Edward River Council (formerly the Deniliquin Council) This relationship has included working together to achieve results in the Island Sanctuary and assistance with Wamba Wamba Perrepa Perrepa Cultural Week.

Yarkuwa’s relationship with the Murray Local Land Services continues to grow including minor funding associated with on-ground environmental projects including fox baiting and wetland management Yarkuwa’s contributions to the community has been recognised with the following awards:

• 2004 Deniliquin Business Award - For Innovative Contribution from the Indigenous Community.
• 2005 NSW Premier's Public Sector Awards – Bronze Award. In the Environment & Natural Resources category – for the partnership arrangement between Yarkuwa, the Riverina Institute of TAFE Deniliquin Campus, Forest NSW, and Department of Natural Resources.
• 2005 TAFE Gilli Award - For Industry partnership between NSW TAFE Riverina Institute and Yarkuwa
• 2005 Deniliquin Business Award - For Innovative Contribution from the Indigenous Community.
• 2009 Murray Natural Resource Management Award MLDRIN Indigenous Award
• 2018 Deniliquin Australia Day Certificate of Achievement, Bill Hermiston Memorial Environment Award - Deniliquin Lagoon Group
• 2018 Deniliquin Business Awards - Innovation category finalist
• 2021 Deniliquin Business Award – Outstanding Community Organisation Winner