The Barkindji people of the Willandra Lakes World Heritage Region and surrounding areas have always felt that the Willandra Lakes are a keyhole into the past of our indigenous ancestors. Since the discovery of Mungo Lady in 1968 by Dr Jim Bowler, a geomorphologist, Australia has been educated in our way of life and our environment. The region has significance on the same scale as Lake Victoria, Ayres Rock and Kakadu in terms of spiritual belief and the sense of belonging to an area of great antiquity and prominence. The Barkindji people, descendants of earlier generations of traditional people, are today very proud of their tribal area.

The whole of the Willandra Lakes system is an extremely sensitive and spiritual place for the Barkindji people. It was the scene for a great many stories, initiations, dreamings and day-to-day activities. One of the Barkindji spiritual links to the Willandra Lakes is Bookamurra, the giant kangaroo. Barkindji warriors tracked Bookamurra for days and finally caught and killed the giant kangaroo at the southern end of the lakes.

The lake system and surrounding area is the actual remains of Bookamurra. This is one of many traditional links that bond Barkindji people to this very special and spiritual place.

The Barkindji people now feel that they have a great chance to show the European descendants some of their land-management skills. It is a good place to educate students from schools and universities as well as the general public, and shows that we are a thriving and ongoing culture. Barkindji people are eagerly looking forward to a long and fruitful management process with the Mutthi Mutthi and Nyiampaa, landholders and the Government department associated with the Willandra.