“Non-Indigenous mob have to learn to respect us people on the land in terms of our culture and other practices”

Cultural & Land Management Protocols

During the Protection and Assimilation eras of government Indigenous people were forcibly removed from their homelands. Kuuku I’yu Northern Kaanju families have returned to their Ngaachi to reaffirm their position as primary land managers. In 2008 the Traditional Custodians voluntarily declared the Kaanju Ngaachi Wenlock and Pascoe Rivers Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) over 197,500ha of our Ngaachi on the upper Wenlock and Pascoe Rivers. In the IPA some activities such as camping, hunting and prospecting will require a permit. For more information contact the Chuulangun Rangers or visit our IPA page.

Visitors to our Ngaachi are asked to please respect that following protocols.

1. Kuuku I’yu Northern Kaanju People are the Traditional Owners Custodians of all the land, water and natural and cultural resources of this Ngaachi.

2. Aboriginal law requires respect for the Kuuku I’yu Northern Kaanju People, the Traditional Custodians of this Ngaachi.

3. Kuuku I’yu Northern Kaanju People speak for the Kuuku I’yu Northern Kaanju Ngaachi, other Traditional Custodians speak for their traditional lands.

4. We are obligated under Kuuku I’yu Northern Kaanju law and custom to manage our Ngaachi in a sustainable manner. In return our Stories will look after us physically, culturally and spiritually.

5. Kuuku I’yu Northern Kaanju People expect visitors to respect and acknowledge Indigenous law and custom concerning the land and its people.

6. Visitors should respect our laws and customs in regard to important cultural and heritage sites.

7. All visitors are responsible for their own behaviour and should respect the guidance of the Traditional Owner Custodians.

8. Learning about the land is everybody’s responsibility. It is also the responsibility of government and non-government agencies.

9. Inappropriate behaviour reflects badly on the Traditional Owner Custodians and we do not accept it.

10. Visitors should dispose of rubbish in the bins provided or take it home.

11. Visitors are advised that camping is allowed only at designated campgrounds with the consent of the Kuuku I’yu Northern Kaanju People.

12. Northern Kaanju Ngaachi is under traditional fire management. Visitors are advised to take care if lighting fires at designated campgrounds.

13. Kuuku I’yu Northern Kaanju People expect visitors to respect that no drugs or alcohol are permitted on our Ngaachi.

14. Visitors are asked to respect that people live on this Ngaachi.