Kulilya - Listen to Us

This is the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Land Rights story.
Please view with care. Many people have passed away. They struggled to make land rights possible. This video is in their honour.

The Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Land Rights Act 1981 is a landmark piece of legislation that provides the Anangu Pitjantjatjara people with rights to their traditional lands in the north-west of South Australia. This Act was the first land rights legislation in Australia to be the product of negotiations between the government and an Aboriginal group. It recognizes the fundamental and inalienable role of the Pitjantjatjara in the heritage of the State and grants them rights to their tribal land. The Act was passed on 19 March 1981 and facilitated the transfer of control of the reserve to the traditional owners and a select committee. It also provided for arbitration of any disputes between the Aborigines and mining companies. The Act has been a significant step towards recognizing and protecting the traditional rights of Aboriginal people in Australia.

The handover of Uluru to the Anangu people was a pivotal moment in the history of Aboriginal land rights in Australia. On 26 October 1985, the Governor-General of Australia returned the title deeds for Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park to the Anangu, recognizing their traditional ownership and rights. This event marked the end of decades of advocacy and resistance by the Anangu people, who had been custodians of the land for thousands of years. The handover was celebrated annually, with the 40th anniversary event in 2025 marking a significant milestone in this ongoing journey of recognition and respect for the Anangus' connection to their Country.