For Raylene Button, Nanna's Garden is more than a collection of native plants. It is a place where children, Elders and community members can connect with culture, share knowledge and learn about traditional medicines and bush foods.
The garden was created at Hedland House in South Hedland by Julyardi Aboriginal Corporation as part of the organisation's broader Safe Spaces environment.
Ms Button, a Kariyarra woman, is a director of Julyardi Aboriginal Corporation and co-chair of Hedland Aboriginal Strong Leaders.
She said the idea for the garden came from the organisation's Elders, who wanted to create an interactive space for cultural learning.
"We wanted to include traditional medicines so we could teach our kids and have a place where the children can learn from the elders," Ms Button said.
The garden includes raised beds planted with traditional medicines and bush foods. Elders selected the plants, while local children worked with artists to paint the garden beds.
Artwork created by Ms Button's mother is part of the garden, adding a personal connection to a space that will continue to support learning across generations for many years to come.
"When they blossom in season, we can show our kids what they are traditionally used for and how we still use them today," she said.
"It also teaches them what to look for if they are out on Country, so they can learn basic survival and practical skills."
The garden gives Elders a dedicated place to share knowledge with younger generations.
For Ms Button, seeing children take an active interest in the garden has been particularly meaningful.
"A lot of times the kids are distracted by modern technology, and it can be hard to get them out of their homes," she said.
"To see them interacting and showing an interest, taking on that knowledge and asking questions of the old people, it shows that passing on knowledge is something we are still constantly doing."
The backyard was previously overgrown with scrub, spinifex and weeds, and the project required ground preparation, reticulation, landscaping and careful selection of plants suited to the local environment. Support from Fortescue's Innovation Grants helped Julyardi Aboriginal Corporation fund the project and bring the idea to life.
The grant supported the preparation of the site and the landscaping, as well as the involvement of people who could help with the garden's design and involve local children in painting the raised garden beds.
For Ms Button, the support helped Julyardi create a space that will benefit the community for years to come.
One of her favourite plants in the garden is a medicinal plant traditionally used to help clean the ears during an ear infection. Ms Button likes its texture and smell, as well as its distinctive purple flowers.
The garden will continue to support cultural learning through activities led by Elders, with Julyardi also planning to open the space to the broader community through workshops and other activities.
Nanna's Garden shows how a locally led idea can create practical benefits for children, Elders and the wider community.
Fortescue's Innovation Grants provide opportunities for Pilbara community groups and organisations to seek funding for locally led initiatives that deliver practical benefits across the region.
This report was produced with the support of Fortescue.
