Increasing education, awareness and recognition of the Indigenous heritage values and cultural landscape of the Wet Tropics. That is the purpose of a $395,000 Australian Heritage Grant.

Chrissy Grant, chair of the Wet Tropics Management Authority, said that the first step is to have extensive consultations with Rainforest Aboriginal Peoples groups across the region to ascertain how they want to tell their stories and share their knowledge in a culturally appropriate way.

The Wet Tropics Management Authority, formed in 1992, fulfils Australia’s international obligation to protect, conserve, present, rehabilitate and pass on the World Heritage Area to future generations.

Wet Tropics Sustainable Tourism Plan

Ms Grant said through the process of developing the Wet Tropics Sustainable Tourism Plan 2021-2031, which was launched last September, feedback from Rainforest Aboriginal Peoples identified a critical need for an accessible knowledge and learning program that facilitates understanding of, and connection with, the rich Rainforest Aboriginal cultural landscape within the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area (Area).

The Area was recognised for its global ecological significance in 1988 when it was listed as a World Heritage area, but it was not until 2012 that the significance of Rainforest Aboriginal Peoples’ culture was recognised when it received National Heritage listing.

Important step forward

“This grant will certainly both help fulfil Rainforest Aboriginal Peoples’ aspirations within the tourism industry as well as fulfil visitors’ interest in being able to access authentic Indigenous cultural experiences. “This is an important step forward. One that is built on the foundations of respect for the oldest continuing culture in the world, and that embeds an Indigenous voice and is led by Indigenous peoples.”

“Ensuring Indigenous values and perspectives are recognised is vital to sustaining such an important place, both culturally and ecologically,” Ms Grant said.

Bringing together Rainforest Aboriginal Peoples

The next project phase will be to bring together the Rainforest Aboriginal Peoples, various key organisations and stakeholders to develop the initiative in a manner that meaningfully respects the rights and voice of the Rainforest Aboriginal Peoples.

One of the Directors of the Authority’s Board, Ailsa Lively, a Gunggandi woman, with strong cultural connections to both the Wet Tropics and Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Areas, said: “We believe such an initiative is essential in ensuring those working with Rainforest Aboriginal Peoples, now and in the future, create connections based on truth, deep knowledge and build on the tenets of true reconciliation. This will also enrich the experience for visitors and increase appreciation, understanding and recognition of the Area in a culturally appropriate way – one that respects the unique rights and custodial responsibilities held by Rainforest Aboriginal Peoples.”