Australian Aboriginal sacred site facts for kids

Baiame Cave, Milbrodale, New South Wales

An Australian Aboriginal sacred site is a special place for Aboriginal people based on their beliefs. These sites can be anywhere in the landscape, like hills, rocks, or waterholes. In coastal areas, they might even be underwater.

These places are important because they are linked to Dreamtime stories. Dreamtime is about the ancestral beings who created the world and everything in it. Access to some sacred sites might be limited to certain people, like men or women, or specific clans.

These sites are protected by laws in different parts of Australia. There's also a national law, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984, which can be used if state laws aren't enough. These laws also protect other important Aboriginal places, like those with archaeological finds or historical meaning. Many states and territories have online lists where you can find information about these sites. However, some sites are still at risk from things like mining. A sad example is Juukan Gorge, a very old rock shelter that was destroyed by a mining company in 2020.

Land and The Dreaming: Special Places

Australia has hundreds of different Aboriginal peoples, each with their own unique sacred places. These places are found in their traditional lands, which they call their "country."

Sacred sites are natural features that have deep meaning in Aboriginal traditions. They can be hills, rocks, waterholes, trees, or plains. Some sites are easy to spot, like places with ancient rock art. Others might look ordinary to an outsider. They can be as small as a single stone or as large as a whole mountain range.

The "Dreaming" or "Dreamtime" is a very important idea for Aboriginal people. It's more than just a dream; it's a way of life. It includes rules for how to live, how to treat others, and how to care for the environment. The Dreaming connects the past, present, and future. Ancestor spirits from the Dreamtime are believed to have become part of the landscape, like rocks or trees.

Many sacred sites are believed to have a special "life force." Ceremonies are often performed at these sites. These ceremonies help keep the life force active, which helps create new life. If the ceremonies aren't done, new life might not be created.

Caring for Sacred Sites

The elders of Aboriginal tribes are the traditional custodians, or guardians, of these sacred sites. They are responsible for looking after them. Sacred sites connect Aboriginal people to their land and their family relationships. Protecting these sites is important for the well-being of the land and the whole community.

These sites were, and still are, used for many important traditions and customs. For example, some sites might be used for men's initiation ceremonies and are therefore forbidden to women. Other sites, like those used for giving birth, might be forbidden to men.

Some Important Examples

Here are a few examples of Aboriginal sacred and heritage sites in Australia:

• Baiame's Cave: This site is south of Singleton, New South Wales.
• Ban Ban Springs: Located near Gayndah, Queensland.
• Kakadu National Park: In the Northern Territory, this park became a World Heritage Site in 1981.
• Kurtonitj: This is one of the important places within the Budj Bim heritage areas.
• Willandra Lakes Region: This area was added to the World Heritage List in 1981.
• Murujuga: Also known as Burrup Peninsula, this site is in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.
• Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park: Added to the World Heritage List in 1994, this park is linked to important events, traditions, and beliefs.

Protecting Sacred Sites with Laws

Before 1965, there were almost no laws to protect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sites in Australia. South Australia was the first state to introduce a law in 1965. Since then, all other states and territories have created their own laws. Sacred sites are now protected by both national and state/territory laws.

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) created the National Heritage List. This list includes natural, Indigenous, and historical places that are very important to Australia. If someone harms a place on this list, they can face penalties.

State and territory laws also protect Indigenous heritage, but the level of protection can vary. Sometimes, developers can get permits to do activities that might affect these lands or objects.

Here are some of the main laws that protect sacred sites and other Indigenous heritage places in Australia:

Online Lists of Sites

Many states and territories keep online lists of sacred and Indigenous heritage sites. Some of these lists are open to the public, while others require special permission to view. These lists help keep track of important places.

For example, Western Australia has the Aboriginal Heritage Inquiry System (AHIS). This system is open to the public and shows information about sites on an interactive map.

The Destruction of Juukan Gorge

In May 2020, a mining company called Rio Tinto destroyed a very important sacred cave in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. This was done to expand an iron ore mine. The cave, known as Juukan 2, was incredibly significant. It showed signs of people living there continuously for 46,000 years, even through the Ice Age.

Archaeologists described it as one of the most important sites in Australia. It was also very culturally important to the Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura people. Hair from one of their ancestors was found there.

Even though the company had permission to destroy the site from 2013, they later received more information about how important it was. The destruction caused a lot of anger and led to investigations. As a result, the CEO and two other top executives of Rio Tinto stepped down in September 2020. Rio Tinto apologized and promised to work better with traditional owners in the future.

Threats to Heritage Sites

Unfortunately, many Aboriginal heritage sites still face threats.

Western Australia

In Western Australia, some mining companies have been given "blanket approvals" to disturb or destroy sites over large areas. This means Aboriginal people often can't object to these plans, even if sacred sites are at risk. For example, large areas of Ngalia and Banjima land, which contain many sacred sites, have been approved for mining activities.

Canberra Development

In June 2020, the government approved plans for new homes near Mount Ainslie in Canberra. This site is important to Indigenous people, according to archaeologists. Local Ngambri people say the site was used for sacred men's activities. Also, important ancient objects found there in 1933 are now displayed in the British Museum. However, the government did not consult with local elders about the development.

Dunoon Dam, NSW

A council in New South Wales is planning to build a large dam at Dunoon. This area has many important Aboriginal objects and burial sites. The council knows about these concerns and has said it will work with local communities to reduce any harm.

Gunlom Falls Issue

As of 2020, the walking track to the lookout and pools above Gunlom Falls in Kakadu National Park is closed. This is because the Jawoyn traditional owners asked for it to be closed. They believe that Parks Australia may have damaged a sacred site near the track while upgrading it. Charges have been filed, and Parks Australia could face a large fine.

See also

• Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority (NT)
• Aboriginal sites of New South Wales
• Customary Aboriginal law
• Hindmarsh Island bridge controversy
• National Indigenous Heritage Art Award
• Rock art § Australia