Angas Downs Indigenous Protected Area

Author: Leandro Alegsa Creation date: November 13, 2022

Angas Downs Indigenous Protected Area is a protected area in the south of the Northern Territory, Australia. It consists of a 320,500-hectare (3,205 km²) pastoral lease that is owned by the indigenous community Imaṉpa. It is located along the Luritja Highway, about 135 km east from Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park and 100 km south-east of Kings Canyon. It borders the Mount Ebenezer Station to the east and the Curtin Springs Station to the west. The property was made an indigenous protected area on 10 June 2009, and forms part of Australia's National Reserve System.

Angas Downs is part of the homeland of southern Luritja and northern Yankunytjatjara people. Together they are called Matutjara, and speak a dialect that is a mix of the two languages. The people living at Imaṉpa include Luritja, Yankunytjatjara and Pitjantjatjara. The property contains several places (songlines and sacred sites) that are important to native families' Tjukurpa. Several animals that live in the reserve represent ancestral totems, reminders of people's identity, kinship and descent. Many of the plants and animals have also been important sources of food for the locals for thousands of years.

Previous land management practices and other pressures damaged Angas Downs and many native species disappeared. Game animals and edible plants are less common, and feral animals (camel and horse) and weeds are a major problem. The Central Land Council runs a ranger program in Imanpa.

Questions and Answers

Q: What is Angas Downs Indigenous Protected Area?

A: Angas Downs Indigenous Protected Area is a protected area in the south of the Northern Territory, Australia. It consists of a 320,500-hectare (3,205 km2) pastoral lease that is owned by the indigenous community Imaṉpa.

Q: Where is Angas Downs located?

A: Angas Downs is located along the Luritja Highway, about 135 km east from Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park and 100 km south-east of Kings Canyon. It borders the Mount Ebenezer Station to the east and the Curtin Springs Station to the west.

Q: When was it made an Indigenous Protected Area?

A: The property was made an Indigenous Protected Area on 10 June 2009, and forms part of Australia's National Reserve System.

Q: Who are Matutjara people?

A: Matutjara people are composed of southern Luritja and northern Yankunytjatjara people who speak a dialect that is a mix of both languages. The people living at Imaṉpa include Luritja, Yankunytjatjara and Pitjantjatjara.

Q: What are some important places in Angas Downs?

A: The property contains several places (songlines and sacred sites) that are important to native families' Tjukurpa. Several animals that live in the reserve represent ancestral totems, reminders of people's identity, kinship and descent. Many of the plants and animals have also been important sources of food for locals for thousands of years.

Q: What type of damage has occurred in Angas Downs?

A: Previous land management practices and other pressures damaged Angas Downs resulting in many native species disappearing while game animals and edible plants became less common. Feral animals (camel and horse) as well as weeds have become major problems due to this damage caused over time.