Indigenous people’s heritage and culture permeated every part of their lives, with decorative implements and choices of materials and designs revealing aspects of their way of life.

Heritage and culture make people who they are – how they live, what they believe in and what makes one group of people different from others.

Culture develops over time, as it is handed down through the generations over hundreds or thousands of years.

This is the case for Western Australia’s (WA) Indigenous people who have lived in WA for more than 50,000 years.

From their ancestors they have inherited more than just the genes that decide their physical appearance and abilities.

They have also inherited customs, art, crafts, dance, stories, language, spiritual life, family structures, attitudes to the environment and land, eating habits, and knowledge about making tools, homes and other objects essential for survival.

While most of WA's Indigenous people are now urban dwellers, living Anglicised lifestyles and following Christian beliefs, central to their culture is their complex link to the land.

To retain this emotional, spiritual and mythological link with the physical world, it is vital that their heritage is acknowledged and preserved, by both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.

Indigenous people can ensure their culture is kept alive and is passed on to future generations by maintaining traditional practices and beliefs.

A range of social, cultural, community services and heritage laws, provided by Local, State and Commonwealth governments, help the wider community preserve and acknowledge Indigenous culture.

Another exciting way to promote Indigenous heritage and culture is through PALS!

Learn more about Indigenous heritage and culture by visiting the pages at this link.