Karijini Experience canned over risks of COVID-19 to traditional owners

Uncertainty over Coronavirus has forced one of the Pilbara’s top tourism drawcards to be cancelled over concerns of the risk to traditional owners. The Karijini Experience, scheduled to be held from April 13 to 17, was cancelled by the Banjima Native Title Aboriginal Corporation on February 3 after it considered the risks posed by COVID-19 were too great to safely commit to delivering the festival. The festival, launched in 2013 as a long-table dinner, has grown to include string quartets performing in Kalamina Gorge, bush tucker high tea and degustation meals, and a concert. It has featured performances by some of WA’s top artists, including Gina Williams, Guy Ghouse, Dan Sultan, Stephen Pigram and Vikki Thorn. This is the second time COVID-19 has caused the shutdown of the experience, with the 2020 event cancelled because of the risk to traditional owners and Elders. BNTAC chairman Slim Parker said the safety and well-being of all Elders, traditional owners and public had to be their priority. “BNTAC understand and share the disappointment of those who were looking forward to travelling to our Banjima homeland (yurlu) to experience this fantastic event,” he said. “We’d like to thank all the supporters and sponsors of the event, past and present, including the great work done by the Nintirri Centre and all the volunteers. “The beauty and magic of our homeland (yurlu) is always there with or without the showcase and spectacle. We welcome and appreciate people discovering and supporting all cultural events and traditional owner performers.” BNTAC took over ownership of the event from the Nintirri Centre in October after Nintirri had managed the event since 2016. The festival returned last year, with 2000 attendees flocking to the cultural experience.