About Us
We are the Traditional Owners of country located in the West Kimberley region of northwest Australia.
We call ourselves Woddordda, Yawjabai, Oomeday and Oonggarddangoowai after the languages implanted in our country during the era of creation we call Lalai.
During our fight for land rights, our traditional Wandjina Woongudd homeland was separated into three Native Title Claim areas: Dambimangari, Wilinggin and Uunguu. The Dambimangari Native Title Claim was determined on 26th May 2011 at our coastal community of Yaloon, after being lodged in 1996. Our claim covers 16,040 km2 of land and 11,896km2 of sea country, including more than 700 islands.
Our culture
Woongudd, Wandjina, Geeyorn and all the other Lalai Creators worked together and made our Saltwater Country.
“Lalai is the biggest story.” – D Woolagoodja
Our people
Dambeemangaddee People came from the Native Title process. We say our Country is our dambeema. Our home. We are Dambeemangaddee People that means, the people from this Country.
Our country
Dambeemangaddee Country strteches along the Kimberley Coast from the Robinson River, just north of Derby, all the way to the Prince Regent River area in the North Kimberley. It has been our home for many thousands of years.
Our story
We have a very long history. As our Elders have always told us: it is not about dates; it started from Lalai. When there was no beginning of time, it was when the world started. European acrcheological records show that our ancestors have been here for more than 56,000 years. We have been here from the beginning.
Media and protocols
All media enquiries to be directed to our media officer. A permission to film form must be completed prior to filming. All media must be approved by our Board of Directors. Directors meet once a month. At least 6 weeks notice of any filming is required.
Work with us
We encourage all Dambeemangaddee people to apply for our available positions. Sometimes we have to recruit from outside our member group to get the skills required to fill a role as we work towards training and developing the capacity of our people to live and work on country.