Derbarl Yerrigan and Djarlgarro Beelier/the Swan and Canning Rivers are both a physical resource and a spiritual place. In 2014, Marli Riverpark – an Interpretation Plan for the Swan and Canning Rivers was determined by process, practice and the riverscape itself. It unfolded within a review of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972, the Heritage Act WA 1990 and continuing negotiations over the Southwest Native Title claim. In this paper Gina Pickering (project manager, contributor and lead author)details how a specialist heritage team, an appointed Noongar Advisory Panel as well as 21 local government authorities worked together in a project led by the National Trust of Western Australia over 18 months to produce a model for working with natural, Aboriginal and historic heritage in a ‘whole of river’ approach.
