Mulan Community, Western Australia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mulan Western Australia
Mulan Location in Western Australia
LGA(s)	Shire of Halls Creek
State electorate(s)	Kimberley
Federal Division(s)	Durack

Mulan is a small and important Aboriginal community. It is located in the eastern part of Western Australia, in a region called the Kimberley. The community is part of the Shire of Halls Creek. It is about 44 kilometers southwest of Balgo. You can find Mulan about 10 kilometers east of a large lake called Lake Gregory. In 2006, about 114 people lived in Mulan.

Most people in Mulan speak the Kukatja language. This language is also spoken in nearby Balgo. Kukatja is similar to the Pintupi language, which is spoken in places like Kintore and Kiwirrkura. Many Mulan residents have family connections to people in these communities and in Balgo.

The History of Mulan Community

Mulan became a permanent Aboriginal community in the late 1970s. Walmajarri people moved there from the Balgo mission. They settled near the shores of Lake Gregory at the Lake Gregory Pastoral Station. A big reason for this move was that the pastoral station was given to the Aboriginal Land Trust in 1978.

The Mulan community officially became an incorporated group in 1979. The first houses and a school were built in the same year. In 1985, a special piece of land, Crown Reserve 39102, was set aside from the pastoral lease. This land was given to the Aboriginal Land Trust for the "use and benefit of Aboriginal inhabitants." The land was then formally leased to the Mulan Aboriginal Corporation the next year.

Understanding Native Title in Mulan

The land where the Mulan community is located is covered by a native title claim. This claim is called the Tjurabalan People native title claim (WCD2001/001). Native title means that Aboriginal people have special rights to their traditional lands and waters. These rights come from their traditional laws and customs.

How Mulan Community is Managed

The Mulan community is managed by its own official group. This group is called the Mallingbar Aboriginal Corporation. It was officially formed on April 26, 1983. This corporation helps to run the community and make decisions for its people.