Noongar Cultural Heritage Agreement
Left to right: Abby Phillis, CEO, Tony Hansen, Member Director, James Back, non Member Director, Nicole Casley, Member Director, Dr Anna Fagan, Specialist Heritage and Agreements, Dr Stephen van Leeuwen, Chair and Chontarle Bellottie, Member Director.
Media statement
Friday, 9 August 2024
Karri Karrak Aboriginal Corporation has launched the Noongar Cultural Heritage Agreement (NCHA) with a strong focus on Traditional Custodian consultation and consent.
The NCHA includes provisions for collaborative decision making, cultural awareness initiatives, cross-cultural education, business opportunities, and sustainable partnerships, ensuring the enduring protection of Cultural Heritage and the empowerment of Noongar people.
Karri Karrak Aboriginal Corporation (KKAC), the Regional Corporation and Heritage Body for the South West Boojarah region, is proud to announce the launch of its landmark Noongar Cultural Heritage Agreement (NCHA).
This monumental achievement represents a major advancement in the preservation, promotion, and management of Noongar Cultural Heritage for the Wardandi, Bibulmun/Piblemen, and Kaneang peoples.
The NCHA establishes a robust and comprehensive framework designed to safeguard Noongar Cultural Heritage under the stewardship of KKAC. Central to the Agreement are stringent provisions that mandate Traditional Custodian consultation, collaborative decision-making, and securing free, prior, and informed consent.
These critical measures ensure the active and meaningful involvement of Traditional Custodians in the protection and management of their cultural heritage as well as safeguarding their Indigenous Cultural Intellectual Property (ICIP). Furthermore, the Agreement includes requirements and initiatives for cultural awareness, capacity building, promoting cross-cultural education and training, fostering business and employment opportunities, and cultivating equitable and enduring partnerships.
KKAC Chair Stephen van Leeuwen said “We are excited to collaborate with proponents through this new Agreement, ensuring the management and protection of Noongar Cultural Heritage, and safeguarding it for future generations.”
Download: Karri Karrak media statement
