Ngiuampaa Wangaaypuwan people in are celebrating after realising their long held dream of managing their own ngurrampaa or country.
It follows a dedication ceremony for the Mawonga Indigenous Protection Area, held recently in New South Wales' central west.
More than 100 Ngiuampaa Wangaaypuwan people and their families gathered to mark the milestone, at Mawonga Station, 100 kilometres north of Hillston.
Mawonga Station IPA Manager Lawrence Clarke says it was an important day of recognition.
"There were a few Elders there, and it was a bit emotional for a couple of them." he said.
Mr Clarke says the corporation that manages the area, the Winangakirri Aboriginal Corporation, can now direct their energies to more worthwhile causes.
"There's been a sigh of relief, because before the dedication we were working predominantly on paperwork. We're looking forward to organising educational trips for schools, NAIDOC celebrations, more meaningful things like that."
Mawonga IPA, now officially in the hands of the Ngiuampaa Wangaaypuwan, contains sites of cultural heritage. Source: Rocco Pirrottina
Though the IPA was declared in December 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic has denied the Ngiuampaa Wangaaypuwan an official celebration.
Protecting past and future
Mawonga IPA Coordinationor Stacey O’Hara said the IPA declaration was the culmination of many years of hard work by the Winangakirri Aboriginal Corporation.
“There has been a lot of setbacks and disappointments over the years, but to finally see all our efforts yield results is an indescribable feeling of accomplishment,” she said.
Mr Clarke says the IPA means his people will be able to continue in the footsteps of their ancestors, by caring for and healing country at the 22,000-hectare property.
“Having your country back to care for, it’s like caring for family. If country is sick you look after it, heal it, like you do when caring for sick family,” he said.
Mawonga Station contains a number of important cultural places, including small caves, shelters and rock art.
Its also home to many significant plants and animals, such as the threatened Yungkay (Malleefowl) and woodland birds including the Grey-Crowned Babbler and Hooded Robin.
Mr Clarke said the Station is an important place for Ngiuampaa Wangaaypuwan to hold ceremonies and family gatherings, as well as teach the younger generations.
“Having Mawonga, our country, for community as a place to be for our connection and wellbeing is so important,” he said.
“Its protecting our past -- and our future.”
He said there are plans to hold regular cultural camps at the property, to share cultural knowledge and language.
