The Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura (PKKP) Aboriginal Corporation

In September 2025, the Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura (PKKP) peoples marked a significant milestone: ten years since the formal determination of their native title. It is a moment that speaks to the endurance of culture and Country, and to the long arc of advocacy, stewardship and community leadership that made such recognition possible.

Our team was invited to support PKKP Aboriginal Corporation in telling this story; our research and editorial development saw the publication of a book that was grounded in the voices, memories and aspirations of PKKP people themselves. The publication, developed over several months of collaboration, seeks to honour the past, and provides a clear-eyed account of the challenges and triumphs that have shaped the decade since determination.

At the heart of the project was a collective task which involved reviewing documented living history through interviews with Elders, board members, rangers, families and youth. Over time, the publication’s narrative came into focus through the co-creation effort with PKKP Executives and Staff. 

We hope that the final outcome highlights cultural strength, the responsibilities of custodianship and the relentless work required to protect Country. We hope what emerged in the final outcome, is a balanced portrait of sovereignty expressed through everyday voices, good governance and cultural practices, the importance of land management and community building.

The publication also charts the organisation’s evolution; the growing ranger program, expanded cultural heritage initiatives, strengthened partnerships and established mechanisms to ensure decisions remain community-led.

Set against the profound grief of the destruction of Juukan Gorge in 2020, the anniversary also serves as a reminder of what it means to assert rights while continuing to heal and rebuild as a community. In the scheme of things, our role was a small one in shaping a narrative text that faithfully reflected the context, but most importantly, elevated the voices of the people at the heart of the community. 

It is the community itself who should be celebrated and honoured; and this meant working in partnership with PKKP leadership to ensure careful editorial judgement, respect for cultural authority and continual dialogue about permission, authenticity and voice. 

Above: Attendees for the House Creek Ceremony on September 2, including staff from PKKP and PKKP Enterprises, Members, Members family and VIP guests from local government departments, suppliers, mining companies and pastoralists.  Photo Credit: Leroy McKay

We worked closely in a co-creation environment, guiding the editorial development, to ensure the final text carried the organisation’s voice, not our own. 

The result is a document that honours a decade of determination while also setting a tone for the next ten years: one defined by self-determination and the deep relationships that hold communities together. It was a privilege to contribute to this work, and we extend our gratitude to all Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura peoples, and all who shared their time, their insight and their stories.

As PKKP Aboriginal Corporation looks ahead, the determination anniversary will be so much more than a simple marker on a timeline, but we hope it is a reminder that recognition is a foundation built on care for Country and intergenerational strength.

Above: Aerial view of the Homestead at Nanutarra during the event. Photo Credit: Chris Lewis.

Below: Drone Show on Monday 1st September. Photo Credit: Leroy McKay.