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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that the National Archives' website and collection contain the names, images and voices of people who have died.

Some records include terms and views that are not appropriate today. They reflect the period in which they were created and are not the views of the National Archives.

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  3. The handback of Uluru National Park to its Traditional Owners

The handback of Uluru National Park to its Traditional Owners

First Australians walk past a mural of the Aboriginal flag with the sun replaced by a yellow image of Uluru.

Details

Learning resource record

Creator:

Chips Mackinolty and Australian Information Service

Date:

1985

Citation:

A6135, K4/11/85/20

Keywords:

  • First Australians
  • Northern Territory

About this record

Uluru is a large rock formation sacred to the Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara Anangu, the Aboriginal peoples of the area.

It was given the English name ‘Ayers Rock’ in 1873 by surveyor William Gosse, but a dual naming policy in 1993 renamed the landmark ‘Ayers Rock/Uluru’ and, in 2002, ‘Uluru/Ayers Rock’. 

This photo was taken on the day when the deeds of Uluru National Park (now Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park) were handed back to the Anangu Traditional Owners. This was a milestone in land rights for First Australians. 

In the background of this photo is a mural painted by Chips Mackinolty. The image, in yellow, black and red, is inspired by the Aboriginal flag, with the usual central image of a circular yellow sun replaced by a yellow image of Uluru.

The Pitjanjatjara welcome 'Pukulpa pitjama, Ananguku ngurakutu' is inscribed above the image of Uluru. Below the image are the words ‘Welcome to Aboriginal land’ and the date 1985.

 

Acknowledgments

Learning resource text © Education Services Australia Limited and the National Archives of Australia 2010.

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National Archives of Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of Country throughout Australia and acknowledges their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to the people, their cultures and Elders past, present and emerging.

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