First Nations cultural heritage is under constant threat and we must protect it from being destroyed. We have to get this right, otherwise the heritage of the world’s oldest enduring human civilisation will be lost, on our watch.
On 24 May 2020, a sacred rock shelter, Juukan Caves, in the Pilbara region of Western Australia was legally destroyed by mining company Rio Tinto. An archaeology report had stated that it was of the highest archaeological significance in Australia containing a cultural sequence spanning over 40,000 years.
Support ANTAR’s work to hold all governments to account on their responsibilities to protect our cultural heritage. Governments across Australia must consult with First Nations communities to create legislation that not only protects cultural heritage but also empowers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to make decisions regarding their own heritage through self-determination.
Help us make clear that all Australian governments need to move faster to ensure First Nations people are in control of their cultural heritage and that collectively we work to avoid any further tragic loss of our national treasures.
