Local—National—Global: Defining Indigenous Values of Murujuga’s Cultural Landscape in the Frame of International Patrimony

The pursuit of UNESCO World Heritage recognition for Murujuga, Australia, highlights a significant disconnect between Indigenous custodial values and the international framework of Outstanding Universal Value (OUV). While the Ngarda-Ngarli people seek global validation to strengthen protection against industrial encroachment, their conceptualization of ngurra (country) as an integrated natural and cultural domain challenges UNESCO's binary distinction. This study demonstrates that World Heritage status could empower local custodianship but also underscores the need for frameworks that better align with Indigenous perspectives.

Stevens, A., & McDonald, J. (2024). Local—National—Global: Defining Indigenous Values of Murujuga’s Cultural Landscape in the Frame of International Patrimony. Deep-Time Images in the Age of Globalization, 219–231. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-54638-9_15