Aurukun dancers celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Wik decision, as well as the new Wik Indigenous Protected Area dedication. Photos: DCCEEW.
A ceremony has been held to celebrate the newly dedicated Wik Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) covering more than 156,000 hectares of land on the west of Cape York Peninsula.
The dedication ceremony for the IPA of 156,213 hectares – an area bigger than Daintree National Park – was held in the Aboriginal community of Aurukun last week.
Additionally, the event celebrated Aak Ngampram Day and the 30th anniversary of the historic Wik High Court decision in 1996.
The new IPA includes culturally and ecologically important ecosystems with large expanses of wetlands, savannah woodlands estuaries, riparian rainforests and beaches on the Gulf of Carpentaria.
Threatened and endangered species in the area include the Olive Ridley turtle, sawfish, spectacled flying fox, northern hopping mouse and northern quoll.
It’s expected the IPA will bolster the Wik people’s capacity to care for the land and help maintain cultural knowledge.
Gina Castelain, director of Wik Projects Ltd, with Wik traditional owners, speaking about the dedication of the Wik Indigenous Protected Area.
The Federal Government states a defining feature of the Wik IPA is its “clan-based governance model, which ensures that decision‑making authority rests with the traditional owners of each clan estate”.
Leichhardt MP Matt Smith said: “This area is important to the environment and home to many threatened species. That’s why protecting it, and prioritising local knowledge is critical.
“The dedication is also an important step in supporting cultural, social, environmental and economic outcomes for future generations,” he said.
“What a great milestone, congratulations to all those involved.”
Federal Environment and Water Minister Murray Watt congratulated the Wik people and said the IPA would “protect connection to Country and boost local decision-making”.
“The Albanese Government is committed to protecting and conserving 30 per cent of our land and 30 per cent of our oceans by 2030, and IPAs are a meaningful way we’re achieving this,” he said.
The new Wik Rangers will support management activities across the IPA, including protecting threatened species, monitoring biodiversity and feral animal and weed control.
Indigenous Australians Minister Malarndirri McCarthy said the decision was a testament to the Wik people’s connection to the land.
The IPA coordinator and Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water of Australia (DCCEEW) branch manager celebrating the Wik Indigenous Protected Area dedication with traditional owners. Photo: DCCEEW.
“The Wik IPA strengthens long-standing efforts by Wik Projects, its partners and the Aurukun community to protect the region’s biodiversity and keep Country healthy,” she said.
“The dedication recognises the cultural and ecological significance of this diverse Country and is celebrated alongside Aak Ngampram Day, a testament to both the enduring connection of traditional owners to Country and the strength of Indigenous self-determination.
“The Albanese Government is proud to support traditional owners and first nations communities to manage land and sea Country through our IPA and Indigenous Rangers Programs, which includes the Wik Rangers.”
The IPA will safeguard culturally important sites and encourage sharing of the Wik language and traditional practices, the government said.
