The discovery of a further 12 potential burial sites on Wadjemup / Rottnest Island is significant to Indigenous people throughout Western Australia, and peoples and nations from around the state will be involved in caring for the remains found.
From 1838 to 1931, colonial authorities used Wadjemup as a prison for Aboriginal men and boys taken from across WA. Nearly 4,000 were held in appalling conditions and hundreds were buried there.
Since the initial discovery of an ancestor's remains on April 8 — which occurred during construction works to expand the island's main bus stop — Rottnest Island Authority (RIA) and Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation (WAC) have collaborated to ensure cultural protocols are followed, and that respectful decisions are made regarding the protection and ongoing management of the site.
On Friday, George Hayden, Cultural Engagement Coordinator for Whadjuk Avenue Corporation, said WAC "will be consulting representatives from the different cultural groups around the state and let them know, giving them an update on what's been happening" on Wadjemup.
Mr Hayden, speaking after the new discoveries found by ground penetrating radar were announced, said the WAC would respect the decisions of the peoples and nations involved, whose ancestors were taken to Wadjemup and were not able to return home.
"We spoke to a couple of Elders this morning here of the Noongar nation, and they're prepared to lead the way in regards to smoking ceremonies, but also to be guided by other senior men ... so ... this process it's all about consultation, and not forgetting other mob around the state that they need to be consulted with," he said.
"Over the past three weeks or so, it's been very sad, a sad occasion. You know, these remains are still being found on Rottnest, but we just want that process, respect that, respect the remains that are found. And let's do the thing by mob, and what they want to see and what they want to do, in regards to, doing that cultural ceremony to make sure those spirits of those men are at rest."
Walter McGuire, who has family connections in other parts of WA as well as throughout Noongar Country, said Friday marked the second major meeting "as a group in relation to the findings that have happened at Wadjemup / Rottnest Island".
"We come together as a matter of urgency to find a pathway as a collective of the Whadjuk representatives, board and membership, some of the members and also some of the men on the Wadjemup Project Group," he said.
"I think this is an opportunity where all Australians need to understand that this is sorry business... and please be respectful of deceased people and how you may make a commentary or say things. Just reminding people that this is a very touching time ... part of the healing process of us as a country, knowing the history of Rottnest Island, and happened there, from the 1830s to the 1930s.
"I think over time ... there will be more findings as the island continues to grow as it does.
"The island is a sacred, sacred location... And you know there's mass burial ground over there, of hundreds of Aboriginal prisoners that never returned home."
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Mr McGuire noted that men and boys of at least 60 language groups across WA were taken to the island as prisoners.
"Just be mindful that when you go over there, be respectful. Maybe throw some sand just in the ocean there, and acknowledge the people that have gone before us, and that how we can be ... respectful as a collective towards the same goal of ensuring that there's safety and well-being of all people coming to and from the island."
WAC Deputy Chair Wayne Ryder, a Ballardong and Whadjuk Noongar man, said a "deep discussion" had been held on Friday "around how we move forward, firstly as a mob, and then how we respect, other mob across the state who's been impacted by this as well, but also paying respects to those that have been found".
Mr Ryder said the process of speaking with other mobs about the ancestors on Wadjemup "has already been put in place".
"That's an action that came out of the meeting today, where our staff will go back now today and work towards contacting mob across the state, and then we'll invite them down so we can work towards some type of ceremony and a cleansing over there on site," Mr Ryder said.
"In terms of how many remains were found so far, we can't be 100 per cent certain, from what we've been told there could be up to 12 more.
"So, we're looking into how we can find answers to that, and work towards the truth, and what's actually been happening over there and what's been found within that site."
