Aṉangu Traditional Owners have commemorated the 40th anniversary of the Handback of Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa at a ceremony in London with King Charles.
Held at Australia House in London, England, the ceremony included performances and an exchange of gifts between The King and Traditional Owners.
Aṉangu gifted King Charles with an artwork, titled Ulurunya (Uluru) by Eunice Woods. In return, His Majesty gifted a piece of Fitch and McAndrew slipware pottery.
The ceremony included a gift exchange between Aṉangu and King Charles. Credit: Mark Hilton
Nine Aṉangu representatives were in attendance and together, alongside a video presentation, they spoke strongly of the significance of Uluṟu and Kata Tjuṯa and the importance of Aṉangu management of their own lands and sacred sites.
“Uluṟu has always been Aṉangu Country,” narration in the video said.
“Today we share it with the world. On our terms, in our voices.”
Alison Carroll, whose words were translated by fellow Aṉangu delegate Harry Wilson, reflected on the significance of talking about Aṉangu land ownership with The King present.
“In the past, when I was young, the Queen and the King previously before her, they did have ownership of Australia but now we’re in the process of saying some of the lands should come back to Aṉangu people and to Aboriginal people in Australia," she said.
"That needs to be given back in a process of a sense of ownership, where we belong and Aṉangu people have got to be in control of that.”
Harry Wilson, Alison Carroll and Sammy Wilson. Credit: NITV
Sammy Wilson said the song had been passed down through generations.
“That [song] is from our grandmothers and grandfathers, that place has always been ours from [a] long way back,” said Mr Wilson.
“Our land is sacred. That is the song we were singing.”
Fellow Aṉangu delegate and Chair of the Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park Boards Board of Management, Tapaya Edwards told NITV it was important to celebrate the anniversary in the United Kingdom as well as back home on Country.
“We came here to share culture and to be on stage to perform and to tell the public and the world to understand and remember… culture is there forever,” Mr Edwards said.
Mr Edwards said he was honoured to be in the UK to mark the occasion and reflected on the stories of the Handback he heard growing up.
Aṉangu representatives, Sammy Wilson, Allison Carroll and Tapaya Edwards alongside King Charles and the Australian High Commissioner, Stephen Smith. Credit: Jack Taylor/PA
The ceremony to hand back the title took place at the base of Uluṟu, where hundreds of people, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, gathered to see then-Governor General Sir Ninian Stephen pass over the title deeds to Uluru-Kata Tjuta.
This event became known as ‘Handback’ and Aṉangu continue to celebrate its anniversary every year.
“It was big, lots of people came together,” said Mr Edwards of the Handback.
“It was Pitjantjatjara, Yankunytjatjara and Ngaanyatjarra but lots of people came. Aṉangu came together because they were there before [any] border, it was one. In 1985, I wasn’t around but I’ve heard the stories… it was really important for them.”
Mr Edwards said 26 October 1985 was an important date, not only for Aṉangu but for Indigenous land rights.
Looking to the future, they endeavour to continue the work.
“Our vision for the national park is that it is a place where Tjukurpa - Aṉangu law and culture can be kept strong for future generations,” he said.
“There is still much work to be done, and over the next 40 years we look forward to seeing our young people carry this flame forward as they learn Aṉangu traditional knowledge and Western knowledge to care for Country and keep Tjukurpa strong.”
