Land acquisition paves path for cultural reconnection

Callan Morse
Callan Morse Published January 13, 2025 at 4.00pm (AWST)

Tasmania's Circular Head Aboriginal Corporation has announced a substantial land purchase in the state's North West.

The approximately 262 acre parcel of land, located at the significant West Point on Peerapper Country, is bordered entirely by the West Point State Reserve and one of the few remaining freehold lands in or around the Arthur-Pieman Conservation Area.

Made possible through the support of the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC), the land lies adjacent to the Western Tasmania Aboriginal Cultural Landscape, which the Circular Head Aboriginal Corporation (CHAC) says is a culturally rich area of deep significance.

CHAC chairperson, Selina Maguire-Colgrave, said Aboriginal people in the state's far North West have strong ties to Country.

"This is such an important and highly culturally significant area for the Aboriginal people in the Northwest," Ms Maguire-Colgrave said.

CHAC says the land encompasses the histories, stories and evidence of the 12 tribes that held their ancestral homes in the area, with its proximity to Nungu/West Point of particular significance.

The area is the ancestral home of the Peerapper tribe, with a village site with identifiable large hut depressions and cultural living sites, including stone tools, just a few kilometres away.

CHAC frequently visits the West Point public areas with school groups and cultural tours due to the density of cultural sites and the deep cultural significance the Country holds.

However the organisation has long desired a deeper connection to Country through the ability to care for and manage it, with the land acquisition representative of this ambition.

Ms Maguire-Colgrave said CHAC wanted and needed a place on Country for all local Aboriginal people to use to practise culture.

"As a Board, we are simply the caretakers of the organisation at a point in time. Every decision we make keeps our future generations at the forefront of our minds, and that's exactly what we are doing with this purchase," Ms Maguire-Colgrave said.

The land purchase will enable the community to engage in caring practices, while empowering young people through continuous opportunities to connect with Country.

CHAC general manager, Peter Benson, said the "rare opportunity" to purchase the land will enable CHAC's programs to be enhanced and expanded.

"This will ultimately become an invaluable asset for the entire community. We envision the space remaining wild and untouched, yet with the necessary facilities to host groups," Mr Benson said.

CHAC envisions the land will be used to host cultural camps for the community as well as youth, justice prevention, and mental health support programs.

The area has also been flagged as a potential environment to facilitate ranger programs or provide a space for up-skilling staff and community members in land management.

In addition to cultural uses, CHAC says the land acquisition presents as a multi-beneficial opportunity following the establishment of its new business arm, Tarkiner, an indoor plant food, tourism and the centre of excellence venture.

"It [the land] could serve as a location for the next logical step in Tarkiner's progression, potentially hosting the bottling plant for its First Nations kelp fertiliser product (which is harvested at Nungu/West Point and processed in a local site across from this land)," CHAC said.

CHAC said acquiring the privately-owned land facilitates the next phase for true self-determination for the Aboriginal community in the state's North West.

"Enabling us to manage our land, participate in the country of our ancestors, and harness this site to create wealth and empower new growth is an opportunity that is insurmountable." CHAC said.

"Our culture matters, and our ability to connect to Country matters."

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