We do not climb Uluru

[samvara]

I hadn't realised it was so embedded in me but I recently saw a reference to being on Uluru and the level of discomfort I felt was high. There's such a strong history around Uluru and how it was and still is being handled is a source of shame.

Comments

[starlady]

Did we perhaps see the same reference? Because I also recently saw a reference to the same, and it really left a bad taste in my mouth.

[samvara]

Entirely likely. I'm comforted that it's not just me. I don't think it's something a person would be aware of if there wasn't some exposure to what went down in the 80s... and I am suddenly very aware of being a non indigenous Australian and a powerful internal cringe.

[starlady]

I could all too easily justify it as being in-character, but what makes it worse is wondering whether the authors have/had no idea whatsoever. And what I know about Uluru and what went down in the 80s could literally fit in a thimble!

[samvara]

I am assuming 'no idea,' not sure how to bring it up either.

Eh, the Govt acknowledged the area as Aṉangu land and leased it under 'joint management.' Uluru was supposed to be off limits for climbing on account of being sacred but that agreement was broken. The current policy is to allow climbing in the short term with a proposal to wean people off it in the longer term... which is a bit crap imho.

[starlady]

…Cowardly suggestion: anonymous comment?

[samvara]

I'm OK with being Nymous :) May I have a tact check? I don't want to be aggressive or hurtful...

I love this story and I’ve been following it for ages and thank you so much for sharing it.

You may not be aware, but climbing Uluru, or standing on it is something of a charged topic. The Aṉangu people who are the owners of the land have requested people do not climb it as it is sacred to them. This is a source of friction between the Aṉangu and the Australian government and has played out rather badly in the political arena. As a non indigenous Australian the thought of someone touristing on Uluru feels uncomfortable and disrespectful.

Feel free to delete this comment if you would prefer it not be visible, I love your work and don’t want to detract from what is a gorgeous piece of fiction.

[starlady]

It sounds perfectly tactful to me.

[samvara]

Ta, have edited slightly and commented, hopefully in a non-confrontational way.

[juliet]

FWIW, as a non-Australian who lived over there for a brief while & visited Uluru, that would give me a cringe (though doubtless different b/c not Australian!) too.

I also thought the "gradual weaning off process" thing was pretty crap when told about it; and I gathered that it was kind of forced on the traditional owners of the land. When I was there it was actually shut anyway for safety reasons as it was raining at the time (!) but I was kind of horrified that people *would* still climb if it weren't shut despite the requests not to :( I walked around the base, which was awesome.

I didn't see the thing you're referring to but your comment looked v tactful to me & I hope is taken well by the person in question.

[samvara]

I think it's pretty crap too.

The person in question responded with grace and dignity, which does a bit for my faith in humanity..