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Indigenous community determined to protect ancient rock art

11 March 2008 - An Aboriginal community in the Pilbara, in north-west Western Australia, has warned companies operating on the Burrup Peninsula that it will fight to protect ancient rock art in the area.

The Ngarluma Aboriginal Corporation was set up three years ago after the Federal Court accepted that community held native title in the area.

The community later entered into an agreement with the WA Government allowing development on the Burrup in return for the group having a controlling stake in resulting work.

The corporation's Andrew Dowding says he is not intimidated by the size and wealth of the big corporations working in the area.

"We are a small corporation and we're up against some huge multinational companies and they treat us like dirt," he said.

"We're dealing with these determined companies and we're as determined as they are basically."

Source: ABC

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