Senior Elders' and future leaders' DNA captured for Cultural Authorisation & Maja Agreement

Young Bandjin/Jirrbal Traditional Owner, Ada Maree, her thumb still covered in red paint from placing her thumb print, signs her name to the Maja Agreement.

The sheer power and commitment of our gathered Senior Elders and their families at the Cultural Authorisation and Maja Agreement at Mungalla Station held us on Saturday 29 November, 2025.

As tropical storms broke overhead, and the skies shivered in electric anticipation, Senior Elders’ DNA, represented by their handprints, was placed on the agreement that commits us to this journey towards self-determination.

It has been seven long years since our Founding Elders began the Process Unite initiative at Hidden Valley on Gugu Badhun Country with the Unity Statement, to heal us and bring us together as one.

Many of those Elders are no longer with us. But they knew that we were stronger together. They also knew that self-determination could deliver for our children’s children. In recognition of that, our children were also encouraged to place their DNA on the Cultural Authorisation and Maja Agreement document. Their thumb prints are there to remind us that this journey is for them and their future.

As stated within the Maja Agreement:

“Our journey seeks to acknowledge the truth of what has happened to us, our lands and our peoples and to purposely and boldly envisage and bring to life a self-determined future that honours our Ancestors and uplifts our future generations.

We stand in unity with shared strength to continue on our collective restorative journey together.”

Ceremony and culture were celebrated by almost 300 people - Traditional Owners from all nine tribal groups, their families, allies, and key supporters - who joined us for the Cultural Authorisation and Maja Agreement celebrations on Nywaigi Country from the 28 to 30 November.