Treading lightly on Country: developing a co-designed pathway for the study of the Willandra’s ancient environments

The history of geological and geographical research within the Willandra Lakes Region World Heritage Area (WLRWHA) and the majority of the Australian continent has been one of entrenched colonial ideology. While archaeological researchers have championed the decolonisation of their research field by building trusting relationships with Traditional Owners and Indigenous communities, the same is, sadly, not the case within the sphere of Earth Science. The establishment of the Willandra Lakes Region Aboriginal Advisory Group’s (WLRAAG) Research Code of Practice in May 2021 put forward a series of Research Principals and practical guidance for the co-development of Research Protocols for all research taking place within the boundaries of the WLRWHA. This presentation presents the narrative of connections and interactions that have taken place between the Elders of the WLRAAG and myself–-a geologist interested in exploring the Willandra’s ancient environments. Together, we have co-designed the Research Protocol that governs both my DECRA research project and how the research team interacts with the landscape. As we build our relationship, I continue to work and walk alongside the WLRAAG as they teach me how we can go about understanding their Country but also how I can ‘tread lightly’ in the process.<p></p>