Myth Busting: Setting the Record Straight About Wangkumarra People

For too long, outsiders have misunderstood or misrepresented who Wangkumarra people are. This section is about breaking down some of the common myths that still exist and replacing them with truth — as told by us.

🛑 Myth 1: "Wangkumarra people no longer exist."
✅ Truth: We are still here — strong, proud, and connected. While colonisation disrupted our lives and scattered our families, Wangkumarra people continue to live, speak, and pass on our culture. Our Native Title recognition in 2024 formally acknowledged what we have always known: Wangkumarra people belong to this Country.

🛑 Myth 2: "Wangkumarra culture was lost."
✅ Truth: Our culture was never lost — it was held in memory, protected by Elders, and quietly practised even in the hardest times, including during forced removals to Brewarrina. Today, we are actively revitalising our language, cultural practices, and knowledge systems, so they remain strong for future generations.

🛑 Myth 3: "Wangkumarra people are just part of another nation."
✅ Truth: Wangkumarra is a distinct language group with our own identity, Country, and culture. While we have deep connections with neighbouring mobs — through marriage, trade, and shared stories — we stand in our own right as a sovereign people with a unique cultural heritage.

🛑 Myth 4: "You have to live on Country to be a real Traditional Owner."
✅ Truth: Due to colonisation, many Wangkumarra people were displaced from our homelands. But our connection to Country lives on through story, family, memory, and spirit. Whether we live nearby or far away, we are still Wangkumarra. Connection is not just about place — it’s about belonging.

🛑 Myth 5: "Language and culture don’t matter anymore."
✅ Truth: Our language and culture are at the heart of who we are. They connect us to our ancestors, our Country, and to each other. They are not things of the past — they are alive and continuing, and we are working hard to protect and grow them.

We Tell Our Own Story

The best way to learn about Wangkumarra people is to listen to us. We’re proud of who we are, and we invite others to walk respectfully alongside us — not by speaking for us, but by making space for our voices.