What we do

We work with First Peoples, proponents and other stakeholders to communicate heritage values through:

Social Surroundings Statements for the Environmental Protection Act (WA).
Cultural Heritage Management Plans and cultural landscape management for the future Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act (WA) - anticipated in 2021.
Life of mine plans for mining and other long-term projects: complete integration of heritage management throughout the life of project.
Interpretation plans to communicate and celebrate cultural heritage.
Cultural heritage futures planning to anticipate the value of (or impacts to) cultural heritage in the future, from climate change or tourism for example.
Facilitation of co-design workshops to bring First Peoples, proponents and other stakeholders together in the design phase of a project.
Environmental design for urban planning, architecture and landscape architecture projects.

Since 2000, Dortch Cuthbert has helped embed heritage in projects across Western Australia. Highlights include the Fiona Stanley Hospital project and Nyoongar cultural interpretation (Perth, WA); the Peel-Harvey Cultural Landscape Project (South West WA); and ethnobotanical and archaeobotanical studies supporting the Yinhawangka Research Design at the West Angelas mine-site (Pilbara, WA). Download our Capability Statement or contact us to find out more.

How we do it

Archaeology

Archaeological investigation and analysis:

Background research
Training and orientation
Survey, recording, excavation, dating
Specialist analyses: archaeobotany; ethnobotany; zooarchaeology; GIS
Reporting, mapping, & illustration
Synthesis and interpretation of results with stakeholders

Anthropology

Ethnographic research and consultation:

Background research
Community liaison & meeting facilitation
Cultural mapping
Multispecies ethnography - taking into account animals, plants and other organisms in the environment.
Family history research
Reporting
Synthesis and interpretation of results with stakeholders

Environmental Design

Adding value to project design and outcomes:

Co-design - working with stakeholders to design projects with culture and heritage in mind

Design thinking - an iterative process (continual feedback and response) to redefine and solve problems in new ways
Heritage futures - planning for today and for future generations
Reporting
Synthesis and interpretation of results with stakeholders

Who we are

Joe Dortch

Joe Dortch has worked with First Peoples across Western Australia, completing some 200 commercial archaeology projects since 1992. Clients include resource majors, government agencies, and community groups.

Joe is a leading archaeological researcher, producing 48 peer-reviewed publications with Indigenous and academic collaborators. He is Adjunct Senior Research Fellow at the University of Western Australia, a Research Associate at the Western Australian Museum, and a Full Member of the Australian Association of Consulting Archaeologists Inc. Joe is Director and principal archaeologist at Dortch Cuthbert.

Qualifications:

PhD, Archaeology, The University of Western Australia, 2001
BA (Honours, Archaeology), University of Southampton, 1991

Dirima Cuthbert

Dirima Cuthbert is an experienced anthropologist and environmental designer. Anthropology is a tool for understanding culture. Environmental design looks at the tangible and intangible qualities of a place. Together, the two disciplines help to reveal, record and manage connections between people and places.

Dirima is particularly interested in working with Aboriginal women on their cultural heritage. She is a Professional Member of the Anthropological Society of Western Australia.