8KIN – Arlparra

To more than 1,200 Alyawarra and Anmatyerre speaking people, this area is Ì¢‰âÂèÏUtopiaÌ¢‰â‰㢠̢‰â‰ÛÏ a land rich in Aboriginal culture and lore, rich in Aboriginal languages, an abundance of bush-tucker, world famous batik and art on canvas work and in the main a population which can boast a slightly improved health status in comparison to the national average for Aboriginal people. Arlparra is the main community providing a range of services to the other 15 homelands in the region. Collectively the 16 homelands are better known as Ì¢‰âÂèÏUtopiaÌ¢‰â‰ã¢. Arlparra is located some 260kms North-East of Alice Springs in the Sandover Highway. As the resource centre for this region, 240 volt power is generated from Arlparra to supply all homelands, including Irrultja (near Ampilatwatja). Arlparra also has the Barkly Regional Council office, community store, a police station, high school, is the central point for aged care services and sports and recreation activities. There is an excellent under-cover basketball stadium and sporting facility. All non-Aboriginal council staff, teachers, community store staff and police officers live at Arlparra. Historically Utopia was a pastoral lease owned by the Chalmers family. The property was sold and became alienated Crown land held on behalf of Aboriginal people. After a lengthy land claim hearing, this land legally became known as the Angarapa Aboriginal Land Trust under the Aboriginal Land Rights (NT) Act 1976. Aboriginal people originally lived close to the main homestead area now known as Three Bores Homeland. After the land claim was completed, Aboriginal families then moved back to their more traditional areas Ì¢‰â‰ÛÏ as a result, we now have 16 very distinct homelands. One of these homelands is where the community-controlled health service operates from. Utopia continues to be a vibrant and harmonious group of people.