Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2021L01354:body:0:p28
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2021L01354
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 79722–82953

is a primary responsibility shared by the Director and Aṉangu in jointly managing the park.

      The physical aspects of Aṉangu cultural heritage, such as sacred sites, rock art and archaeological material, are all also part of the park's living cultural landscape. The park contains significant physical evidence of one of the oldest continuous living cultures in the world. Sites of significance include rock art sites, stone arrangements, rock engravings and rock shelters containing archaeological deposits. Some of the work undertaken to care for significant sites include protecting rock art by installing visitor viewing platforms, controlling erosion, removing weeds and realigning walking tracks away from sensitive areas. A register of sites of special significance has been established in consultation with Aṉangu, the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority and the Central Land Council. Figure 8 shows some of the significant sites and Aṉangu place names at Uluṟu.

Figure 8: Some Aṉangu significant sites and places at Uluṟu

    A major part of Aṉangu cultural heritage are the intangible aspects of Tjukurpa. These include the spiritual knowledge about country, sacred sites, ancestral stories and beliefs, language, songs, dances; land use; and cultural practices, ceremonies or rituals. It also includes hunting and gathering techniques which are important cultural activities for reinforcing connection to country, maintaining links with Tjukurpa and passing on knowledge to younger generations.

    Aṉangu maintain a detailed body of cultural and ecological knowledge of the land based on thousands of years of continuous habitation in the region. Aṉangu landscape management methods follow a traditional regime of fire management, sustainable hunting and harvesting practices and protection and maintenance of water sources. This knowledge also includes climate patterns, animal behaviour and ecological responses, and the relationships between different elements of the landscape. Aṉangu knowledge and cultural material can be described as Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (See Feature Box 2) which is an essential element of maintaining Tjukurpa. Preserving and maintaining this knowledge through recording Aṉangu oral history and the intergenerational knowledge transfer, helps keep Aṉangu culture strong and maintains knowledge for managing country, for now and the future.

    Feature Box 2:
    Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property

    Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) is a term used to describe Indigenous cultural material and knowledge. The Board and Parks Australia work with CLC and other stakeholders to ensure ICIP rights
    are protected

    To Aṉangu it is extremely important to protect their ICIP, which includes but may not be limited to:

      •      immovable cultural property, including sacred sites and rock art

      •      cultural objects, including sacred objects and other objects of cultural significance

      •      contemporary art, including paintings and other works

      •      human remains, including the remains of Aṉangu ancestors

      •      traditional knowledge, including spiritual, scientific, ecological and