Yanama budyari gumada means to ‘walk with good spirit’ in Darug language. Led by Indigenous Darug custodian Uncle Lexodious Dadd, the Yanama budyari gumada research collective is based on Darug Ngurra, at Yellomundee Regional Park, Western Sydney. The collective involves Darug custodians, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, as well as researchers and students from Newcastle and Macquarie universities.
The research collective works hard to rekindle Indigenous ‘Caring-as-Country’ mechanisms on national parks estate, and have facilitated 17 Darug cultural camps between 2016-2019, enabling over 450 people to enhance environmental stewardship of Yellomundee by connecting deeply with Darug Country, culture, knowledge and language. The research collective share their important collaborative learnings widely, through documentary film, research publications, policy interactions, and social media.
The Yanama budyari gumada research collective are now finalists in the International Green Gown Awards to be held in New York in 2020. Supported by the UN Environment Programme, these awards represent an important occasion to showcase Macquarie University’s sustainability initiatives and commitment to collaboration with Darug custodians.
