Uluṟu–Kata Tjuṯa Aboriginal Land Trust facts for kids

The Uluṟu–Kata Tjuṯa Aboriginal Land Trust is a special group that holds the full ownership of the land where Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park is located. This trust is the legal owner of the land, but it holds it for the people who are known as the land's traditional owners. These are the Aboriginal people who have a very long history and connection to this land. The trust was officially created on October 26, 1985.

What is the Uluṟu–Kata Tjuṯa Land Trust?

The Uluṟu–Kata Tjuṯa Aboriginal Land Trust acts like a guardian for the land. It makes sure that the land stays with its traditional owners forever. This means the land cannot be sold or given away. It will always belong to the descendants of the original traditional owners.

How the Land Claim Started

The journey to get the land back began in 1979. This was when a group called the Central Land Council made a land claim for the area. They did this for hundreds of people, many of whom lived in a place called Muṯitjulu.

In 1980, a judge named Justice John Toohey looked at the claim. He officially recognized 104 traditional owners for Uluṟu and 57 for Kata Tjuṯa. He gave them full ownership of some nearby land. However, they didn't get the ownership of Uluṟu–Kata Tjuṯa at that time. This was because it was already being used as a national park.

The Fight for Ownership

There was a long legal case about who truly owned the national park land. This case continued for several years. In November 1983, the Prime Minister at the time, Bob Hawke, agreed that the traditional owners had rights to Uluṟu.

The Land is Returned

In 1985, two new laws were passed. These laws helped to make it possible for the land to be returned. On October 26, 1985, the full ownership of the park land was officially given to the Uluṟu–Kata Tjuṯa Aboriginal Land Trust.

As part of this agreement, the land was immediately rented back to the Director of National Parks for 99 years. This means the traditional owners own the land, but the park is managed by the government for a very long time. This agreement allows the park to continue operating while respecting the traditional owners' rights.

What "Inalienable" Means

The ownership of this land is "inalienable." This is a special legal term. It means the land can never be sold, traded, or given away. It is always passed down through the generations to the community's descendants. This ensures the land stays with the traditional owners forever.

Images for kids

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  Aboriginal rock art at Uluru

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  Geologic cross-section of the national park. This image presents dubious facts, compare Website of www.environment.gov.au "Formation of Uluru-Kata Tjuta" see also Talk:"Geological Formation"

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  Bush tucker (bush foods) harvested at Alice Springs Desert Park.

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  An aerial view of Uluru shows the sizeable area.

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  Wildflowers in bloom with Kata Tjuta in the background

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  Desert oaks with Kata Tjuta in the background

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  Spinifex grass

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  Black-footed rock-wallaby (Petrogale lateralis), Australia

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  Brushtail possum, Australia

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  Cultural Centre Uluru

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  Driving – Lasseter Highway to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

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  Mala Walk Uluru

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  Climbers and sign

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  Aboriginal Anangu ranger at Uluru doing a demonstration

See also

In Spanish: Parque nacional Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa para niños