Looking After the Rock Art of Kakadu National Park, Australia

Abstract

ABSTRACT Iconic, magnificent and breathtaking are words often used to describe the rock art of Kakadu National Park in the northern tropics of Australia, which is inscribed on the World Heritage List, due to the very many sites with significant rock art (bim) and the strength of continuing Aboriginal culture. A small but dedicated team of Traditional Owners, Park staff and rock art specialists work on an annual program to monitor, maintain and manage this significant landscape through a collaborative framework. To do this the Cultural Programs team, both Bininj/Mungguy (Aboriginal people) and Balanda (non-Indigenous people), work together, incorporating traditional and scientific knowledge systems to build a cooperative approach to look after rock art in Kakadu. Putting culture first is central to the decolonised program, where western scientific conservation techniques play a secondary supporting role. Culture is the foundation in this living cultural landscape and the voices of the Elders guide the co-designed annual program. Alongside this Indigenous stewardship, knowledge of conservation practices is shared to improve understanding and skills in the professional development of local people, Aboriginal ranger groups and national park staff in managing the Kakadu rock art estate. This is achieved through getting families, old people and the young back to Country (traditional custodial lands), which supports intergenerational exchange of knowledge, maintaining culture and connections to kin, Country and language. Here we demonstrate that by keeping culture central, connections between traditional and scientific approaches to protecting, conserving and managing rock art can advance best practice so that bim can endure.