After decades of advocacy, Boodjamulla National Park, a jewel of outback Queensland, has been formally returned to the Waanyi people, its traditional owners. This significant landhandback, encompassing over 247,000 hectares, marks a profound moment for the Waanyi community, who have maintained a deep spiritual and cultural connection to this country for more than 30,000 years. The park, located approximately four hours northwest of Mount Isa, is renowned for its stunning natural beauty, including the iconic Lawn Hill Gorge and the World Heritage-listed Riversleigh fossil deposits, attracting over 20,000 visitors annually.
A Long-Awaited Homecoming
Hayley Iles, chair of the Waanyi Prescribed Body Corporate (PBC), described the return as a “long-awaited homecoming.” She articulated the profound emotional significance of the event, stating, “The land breathes again.” Ms. Iles emphasized the tireless efforts of past generations, explaining, “Our elders fought very long to let everyone know that this is our country. This is our land. This is where we do our practices.” The formal recognition by the state, she noted, is crucial, acknowledging the historical context of dispossession and the long journey toward regaining custodianship.
The Waanyi people’s connection to Boodjamulla, a name that signifies “rainbow serpent country,” is deeply rooted in the landscape’s dramatic gorges and vital waterways. The park’s return is the culmination of generations of struggle and advocacy following their dispossession from ancestral lands. This journey involved persistent efforts to assert their rights and cultural heritage.
Advocacy and Negotiation Pave the Way
The path to this landhandback was marked by significant activism and negotiation. In 1994, Waanyi people, alongside other native title groups, participated in a three-week sit-in at Boodjamulla. This protest aimed to secure greater involvement in the management of both the national park and the adjacent Century Mine. Ms. Iles highlighted this protest, along with another in 2002, as pivotal in building momentum for their cause.
“Our elders negotiated with people from Carpentaria Land Council, lawyers, anthropologists to get royalty payments out of Century Mine,” Ms. Iles recounted. “That was the start of it.” These early successes laid the groundwork for more formal discussions.
Formal negotiations between the Waanyi Native Title Aboriginal Corporation and the Queensland government commenced in 2020. This process ultimately led to the agreement for the park’s return. The land transfer occurred progressively over three stages, with the final portion being completed in January of the current year. Boodjamulla itself has a history of transformation, having been converted from a cattle station to a national park in 1984, with subsequent expansions in 1992.
A Unique Co-Management Model
Under the agreement, Boodjamulla National Park will be leased back to the Queensland government. Karrell Ross, executive director at the Department of Tourism, Science and Innovation, explained that this arrangement is “very unique” and includes provisions for “funding in perpetuity.” This model ensures a shared responsibility between the department and the Waanyi PBC.
“So, there is still a responsibility for the department and still a responsibility for Waanyi PBC,” Ms. Ross stated. “We’ve got a board of management with equal representation… it’s about working together.” This co-management structure aims to foster collaboration and mutual respect in the park’s ongoing stewardship.
Visitors to Boodjamulla National Park are unlikely to notice drastic changes to access or services in the immediate future. The fundamental shift lies in the official recognition of the land as Aboriginal land. Ms. Ross elaborated on the collaborative approach: “You’ll see both Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and Waanyi rangers working together, sharing their knowledge, the Waanyi people sharing their cultural knowledge of the area and QPWS also sharing their knowledge about managing land.” This integration of traditional ecological knowledge with contemporary park management practices is a key outcome of the handback.
A Testament to Resilience
For Ms. Iles and the wider Waanyi community, the formal ceremony represents a profound triumph, acknowledging the immense effort and time invested. Family members are traveling from across New South Wales and the Northern Territory to participate, underscoring the event’s importance. “I have family travelling from New South Wales and the Northern Territory… families are coming from all over, so I am jumping out of my skin,” Ms. Iles expressed.
While celebrating the present achievement, there is also a poignant acknowledgment of those who fought for this day but are no longer present. “There is a bit of sadness, because there was a lot of our elders that fought for us to be doing what we’re going to be doing [today], who are now gone,” she shared. “It is a testament to the resilience, patience and enduring spirit of our elders and our ancestors.” The return of Boodjamulla National Park is more than a landhandback; it is a powerful affirmation of cultural continuity and the enduring strength of the Waanyi people.
