Wattle you know, our Sustainable Communities team joined the Yiriman Women Bush Knowledge Enterprises and took off to Perth and the Swan Valley on Whadjuk Noongar Boodja to learn more about the wattleseed and bush foods industry and share their wares.
We first spent time with Wardandi Bibbulumun Elder Dale Tilbrook, a bushfood businesswoman of over 30 years. Together, we went on a tasting journey, exploring the textures, scents, nutritional values and uses of foliage, fruits, and nuts from groups all over Australia. She gave us valuable advice about how to safely produce and label foods, and protect Indigenous intellectual property.
We then attended the ‘Accelerating Wattle Seed Industry Workshop’ where producers shared their knowledge about wild harvest, cultivation, harvesting and cleaning, nutritional values, and marketing.
We engaged people in our Wattleseed Collective pilot product; roasted and ground wattleseed, and met with chefs, retailers, and wholesalers interested in collaborating and providing support. We came away knowing there is overwhelming support for an Aboriginal-led wild harvested product that balances a commercial interest with the opportunity to be on Country, care for Country, and engage multiple generations in traditional storytelling and knowledge sharing.
L-R EK's Tessa Mossop with Jacko and Mandy Shoveller of Yiriman Women Bush Enterprises and EK's Louise Beames at the Accelerating Wattleseed Industry Workshop
We also displayed our new Sustainable Harvesting and Cleaning Guides. These are now being distributed to collectors in preparation for this year’s harvest.
On return to Broome, we held a workshop with Wattleseed Collective members to review past harvests, plan for 2023 harvest, and to collaboratively develop the Wattleseed Collective business and financial models. Representatives from Yawuru, Karajarri and Nyangumarta attended to review the concept and define a vision and set of values for the Wattleseed Collective.
EK's Ayesha Moss presenting to Karajarra, Nyangumarta and Yawuru members of the Wattleseed Collective at the Wattleseed Collective Workshop 2023. Photo: Tessa Mossop
We also had some hands-on activities roasting, grinding and packaging Wattleseed, tried some Wattleseed sourdough, and made Wattleseed soap with Robyn Wells from Yiriman (thank you Robyn!).
It has been great to learn from, and connect with, other people in the wattleseed industry, and to all get together and get inspired about the exciting future of the Kimberley Wattleseed Collective!
The Social Enterprise Project is funded by Lotterywest.
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