Photo (credit MAC): Members of the Murujuga Aborginal Corporation delegation in Paris.
In a deeply emotional moment for Traditional Owners and Custodians, the Murujuga Cultural Landscape in North West Australia has been inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
Acknowledging its profound cultural and spiritual significance, the World Heritage Committee met for its 47th session in Paris this week and made the decision to inscribe the Murujuga Cultural Landscape this morning.
“We are elated to see the Murujuga Cultural Landscape recognised for its Outstanding Universal Value,” said Mr Peter Hicks, Chairperson of Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation (MAC).
“MAC represents the collective voice of the Ngarda-Ngarli (Traditional Owners and Custodians) and we are proud that we have been able to deliver on their request for MAC to secure World Heritage Listing for the Murujuga Cultural Landscape.
“Throughout this Indigenous led process, we have ensured the nomination reflected those aspirations for our Ngurra.
“Further, we have enjoyed the support of and worked in partnership with both the Western Australian and Federal Governments and we thank them for their efforts, respect and for undertaking their roles in this process without undermining Indigenous decision making.
“While today’s inscription is recognition of the hard work that MAC has put in to progressing this nomination over the past two years, more importantly, it is recognition of the way our ancestors have managed this extraordinary Landscape for over 50,000 years.
“We are proud to continue that legacy.
“World Heritage is the mechanism we will use to continue to do what we have always done – protect our culture for all future generations.”
For more information or media inquiries, please contact: communications@murujuga.org.au.