THREE YEARS ON FROM JUUKAN DESTRUCTION, TRADITIONAL OWNERS WANT CO-MANAGEMENT

Burchell Hayes. Credit: Ngaarda Media.

Today marks three years since Rio Tinto caused global outrage when it destroyed sacred rock shelters at Juukan Gorge in the Pilbara.

According to a statement from Traditional Owner group Puutu Kunti Kurrama People Aboriginal Corporation (PKKP), rehabilitation of the land at Juukan Gorge has begun and PKKP has established a committee to communicate with Rio Tinto about the process.

PKKP Land Committee Chairperson Burchell Hayes said the anniversary was a sad day for PKKP people.

““The destruction of our most significant cultural heritage site should not have happened, and to ensure that we will never experience this senseless feeling of loss and devastation in the future, we are driven towards achieving a co-management process of Country with mining companies,” Mr Hayes said.

“We have already started to see minor aspects of the co-management model working at Juukan Gorge, through rehabilitation works of some of the surrounding areas.”

Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has previously said the Albanese government will introduce new Aboriginal heritage laws to ensure similar destruction does not occur again in Australia.