Aak Puul Ngantam Ltd

Aak Puul Ngantam Ltd is an Australian nonprofit organisation wholly owned by Southern Wik traditional owners. The organisation's name, from the Wik Mungkan language, translates as "Our father's father's country," directly referring to the ancestral homelands of its people. The nonprofit is dedicated to facilitating the return of traditional owners to their Southern Wik homelands in a way that is culturally, environmentally, and economically sustainable[1][4].

Mission and Objectives

Aak Puul Ngantam Ltd (APN Cape York) aims to support families of the Aurukun community in returning to their traditional lands. Its core objectives include:

• Assisting traditional owners in reconnecting with their country.
• Facilitating the transfer of traditional knowledge between generations.
• Caring for and maintaining the cultural and environmental diversity of the Southern Wik and Kugu natural resources.
• Promoting sustainable economic opportunities and training for Wik and Kugu people.
• Implementing social programs that improve health and educational outcomes within the community[1][4].

Programs and Initiatives

APN Cape York administers various programs focused on land management, community involvement, cultural preservation, and economic development. A notable initiative is the Aak Puul Ngantam Ranger Program, which identifies and mitigates environmental threats to the region's rich biodiversity. This ranger program is staffed by a coordinator and nine full-time rangers supported by funding from the Queensland Government’s Indigenous Land and Sea Ranger Program. The rangers carry out on-country activities to improve conservation outcomes, complementing APN Cape York’s other partnerships and commercial ventures such as carbon and cattle projects[5].

Environmental and Cultural Projects

The organisation undertakes projects aimed at conserving high-value ecosystems, such as the Southern Wik Clans area of the Holroyd Plain, focusing on controlling invasive species like feral pigs and weeds. It also prioritizes initiatives that safeguard Indigenous knowledge and enhance engagement to meet Caring for Country outcomes[4].

Governance and Registration

Aak Puul Ngantam Ltd is registered as a charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) under ABN 83151027851. It operates from Manunda, Queensland, and focuses on advancing social welfare and cultural preservation for disadvantaged Indigenous communities in the region[2][3].

Aak Puul Ngantam Ltd exemplifies Indigenous-led efforts in Australia to reclaim and sustainably manage ancestral lands while promoting cultural continuity and community well-being.

[1] https://apncapeyork.org [2] https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/a4aa2868-3aaf-e811-a960-000d3ad24282 [3] https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/a4aa2868-3aaf-e811-a960-000d3ad24282/documents/e7c36240-7518-e911-a970-000d3ad0574c [4] https://capeyorknrm.com.au/about/partners/aak-puul-ngantman-ltd [5] https://apncapeyork.org/who-we-are/staff