MINISTER FOR INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS ON BUILDING A BETTER NGURRA: NATIONAL INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE AND CULTURAL CENTRE
Minister for Indigenous Australians at ANZAC Day commemoration Credit:LindaBurney/ Facebook
BY ASAD KHAN
The Albanese Labor Government plans to build a revamped Ngurra, The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Precinct at the Acton Peninsula in Canberra
Ngurra, which means home or country will be a place where international visitors and Australians will have the opportunity to learn and indulge in traditions and culture over 65,000 years old.
Part of the revamp includes plans to upgrade and expand the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies to include a National Indigenous Knowledge and Cultural Centre
A National Resting Place will also be allocated to house and care for First Nations ancestral remains.
Linda Burney, Minister for Indigenous Australians said there was much consultation and changes were made before moving on with the project.
“I had a series of meetings with the Traditional Owners, I think there were about five or six and I heard from them initially what their objections were and I came to the conclusion that the projections were very real,”
“So in terms of the terrible practices that took place centuries ago, of Aboriginal bodies being sent overseas or body parts, what's happening now is and has been happening for a number of years is really good repatriation programs,” she said
The Labor government alleges the previous Coalition Government’s 2022 proposal was estimated to cost around 50 per cent more than was originally allocated and It was not practical to proceed with the original project.
Cental Coast, NSW Credit: Linda Burney/ Facebook
Leonard Hill, Chief Executive Officer Australian Insitute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies said The National Resting Place element of the new Ngurra will be a private and quiet place.
“Ancestors will be cared for with dignity and respect, and according to cultural protocols - the realisation of a long-held aspiration of First Nations communities”.
Listen to Ngaarda Media’s Lead Journalist Asad Khan speak with Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney: