KUJU WANGKA

DSS provides project management support for Kuju Wangka – the key Traditional Owner governance body for the 2000km of the iconic Canning Stock Route (CSR).

Long before the CSR (or as Traditional Owners call it, Yiwarra Kuju) became a world-famous tourist destination, every aspect of country was mapped and understood by TOs. Multiple language groups link to the area through Jukurrpa tracks that cross the country. When Jukurrpa ancestors moved across the land, they left visible evidence in landforms and passed laws to people which they continue to live by. Traditional Owners continue to carry out rituals needed to look after their countries.

Kuju Wangka is “One Voice” for the Traditional Custodians of Yiwarra Kuju (the CSR). It is the working group of the five Prescribed Bodies Corporate (PBCs) who hold Native Title along the route. Kuju Wangka focused on promoting and preserving cultural heritage and environmental values of Country.

It provides support for Traditional Owners developing economic growth opportunities related to tourism to help grow cultural experiences.

From south to north Yiwarra Kuju traverses the following Native Title Determinations:

·       Wiluna (Well 1 to 4)

·       Birriliburu (Well 5 to 15)

·       Martu (Well 16 to 39)

·       Ngurrara (Well 40 to 49) and

·       Tjurabalan (Well 50 & 51)

What does Kuju Wangka do?

Kuju Wangka’s core business is to manage an Indigenous permit system for visitors to access to Country.

Dedicated ranger teams from each of the five native title areas check travellers’ permits, giving visitors a chance to learn more about Country and culture, community stores, and art centres.

The teams also look after cultural sites and conduct environmental management work across their section of Yiwarra Kuju.

DSS Role:

DSS has been a part of the Kuju Wangka story since we were established in 2012. With other partners, we helped people get together to discuss the key task of reasserting cultural governance of the CSR, and acquire funding to develop plans. This included an initiative coordinated by the Australian National University (ANU) for an Indigenous led management plan for CSR. 

Funding from the Australian Government was later used by Central Desert, Kimberley Land Council and JYAC (formerly WDLAC) to facilitate the establishment of a pan-Indigenous working group - Kuju Wangka (‘One voice’). 

Today, DSS houses the Kuja Wangka project, manages the permit system and employs a project Coordinator who facilitates monthly meetings of the Kuju Wangka working group.

For more details information on Kuju Wangka (Canning Stock Route), including how to access permits, visit the project’s dedicated website here.