INDIGENOUS RECOGNITION

The Noongar people are the traditional owners of the land where Perth Airport is situated.
The land at Perth Airport is an important place in the lives of the local Noongar people. According to elders, the proximity to the Swan River and the system of wetlands around Munday Swamp provided valuable sources of food. The area is acknowledged as an important meeting place and continues to have spiritual and archaeological significance.

Perth Airport has set aside more than 300 hectares of airport land for preservation and conservation. This area includes a number of important Aboriginal sites, including Munday Swamp.

Perth Airport Celebrates NAIDOC Week

Each year Perth Airport celebrate NAIDOC Week

NAIDOC Week 2010

Initiatives which Perth Airport participated in this year included:
• Original artwork displayed in the reception area of Perth Airport’s head office building during NAIDOC Week. The beautiful artwork was provided, on loan, from Indigenous art students from Kidogo Art Institute and were available to purchase with all proceeds going directly to the artist.
• Perth Airport produced and distributed a bookmark to arriving International passengers explaining the importance of the land on which Perth Airport is situated. The bookmark featured a copy of the artwork by Peter Farmer (Snr) entitled; Boyi Kep.  This artwork was purchased by Perth Airport and is proudly displayed in our offices.    
• A local elder provided a talk to Perth Airport staff and discussed Indigenous protocols and cultural sensitivities

NAIDOC Week 2009

Westralia Airports Corporation (Perth Airport) held an historic Partnership Agreement Signing Ceremony during NAIDOC Week 2009. The signing of the partnership agreement was the beginning of a new chapter and commitment for all those involved and was a pivotal step in the ongoing commitment by Perth Airport to the traditional landowners, recognising the willingness of the signatories to engage in good faith for the ongoing development of Perth Airport and Aboriginal cultural heritage. The ceremony was officiated by Hon. Kim Hames MLA, Western Australia's Deputy Premier; Minister for Health & Minister for Indigenous Affairs.

As a result of this agreement Perth Airport formed an agreement with Edith Cowan University – ECU to provide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students wishing to undertake studies at ECU the opportunity to apply for an inaugural Perth Airport Indigenous Scholarship. Each scholarship is valued at $5,000 each and was available in 2010. The program will be expanded to offer up to six undergraduate scholarships per year in following years. Providing critical resources to ECU’s Aboriginal students and enhancing their experience at university. ECU’s partnership with Perth Airport is worth a total of $90,000 over five years.

The Partnership Agreement additionally commits support for projects to benefit the local Aboriginal community, employment of members of the Aboriginal community for cultural heritage awareness and land management activities.

NAIDOC Week 2008

Westralia Airports Corporation held a ceremony at Perth Airport’s International Terminal, raising the Aboriginal flag for the first time and making a commitment that the flag would be flown on an ongoing basis.

Artwork from indigenious artists from Central TAFE were displayed at the Interational Terminal and at Perth Airport’s head office building during NAIDOC Week. The unique artwork was available to purchase with all proceeds going directly to the artists.

Perth Airport produced and distributed a postcard to arriving International and Domestic passengers explaining the importance of the land on which Perth Airport is situated.