Members of the Murujuga Circle of Elders, Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation Board of Directors and MAC membership today celebrated the submission of the World Heritage nomination for the Murujuga Cultural Landscape to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee.
The Murujuga Cultural Landscape is an area of around 100,000 hectares that includes the Burrup Peninsula, Dampier Archipelago, and the underwater landscapes and sea surrounding them.
MAC CEO Peter Jeffries said the nomination for the Murujuga Cultural Landscape was driven by the Elders and Community for Murujuga.
“For more than two decades, the Ngarda-Ngarli have aspired for World Heritage listing of Murujuga and for our traditional knowledge and lore to be at the centre of decision-making, governance and management of this land and sea country, Mr Jeffries said.
“This is only the second nomination by Australia for a cultural heritage property that is driven by the Traditional Owners and Custodians for this country and is the first for Western Australia.
“It was up to Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation to initiate seeking World Heritage, which we did in 2018, with State and Federal government support.
“Preparing the nomination took more than three years of knowledge-sharing, negotiation and decision-making – a process guided by the Murujuga Circle of Elders and the MAC Board.
“Of key importance to Ngarda-Ngarli– the Traditional Owners and Custodians of Murujuga – is that the nomination for World Heritage Listing puts their decision-making and customary governance to be at the heart of management and protection of Murujuga country and culture.
“For more than 50,000 years, through periods of great climatic and environmental change, generations of our Old People have governed and managed the land and sea country of Murujuga according to Lore, and preserved and passed on our culture and knowledge.
“We are proud to have led the preparation of this nomination, on behalf of the Traditional Owners and Custodians for Murujuga, and in partnership with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
“We see inscription on the World Heritage List as a mechanism to support what we have always done – share knowledge, protect our sacred places and ensure that we are in the best position to respond to the needs of Country.”
For further information contact: communications@murujuga.org.au