Author Identifier (ORCID)
Sandra Wooltorton: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8677-870X
Abstract
This paper uses karlup bidi (pathway home) as a metaphor to show and explain the cultural landscape of a significant central Perth locality: Kaart Gennunginyup Bo, or Karrgatup, or Kaarta Koomba, also known as King’s Park. Drawing on oral histories, cultural narratives and contemporary reflections, the study uses Noongar understandings of Country, family, time and relationship to challenge and decolonise Western paradigms of land use and identity. The intent is to narrate Noongar Boodja (Country) as it was, remains and always will be-as Noongar heartland. Central to this paper is the trilogy of boodja, moort, kaartdijin (Country, family, knowledge), a framework for relating with Noongar boodja in caring, animate, thriving and responsive ways.
Keywords
Aboriginal-led research, critical forest studies, cultural regeneration, ecological imagination, sense of place
Document Type
Journal Article
Date of Publication
1-1-2026
Publication Title
Australian Journal of Environmental Education
Publisher
Cambridge University Press
School
Centre for People, Place and Planet
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Comments
Collard, L., Wooltorton, S., & Stredwick, L. (2026). Karlup Bidi, pathways home. Australian Journal of Environmental Education, 42(1), 16–37. https://doi.org/10.1017/aee.2025.10116