To the indigenous people, Uluru is a sacred mountain in the desert of northern Australia. It is a significant energy source within Australia. It is on land owned by the Indigenous. Uluru is similar to Bear Butte in America which is a sacred site for the Indian.
For a long time Uluru has been climbed by tourists, that is, non indigenous. When ownership of Uluru passed to the Indigenous, this right was allowed to continue.
Uluru is a sacred site for a number of reasons including what the indigenous recognise as Spiritual energy. It is a place where they connect to the spirit of their ancestors. It is part of the identity of the indigenous.
They have decided to withdraw the right for people to climb Uluru, bringing criticism from non indigenous. Is their decision justified?
Few non indigenous people claim to climb Uluru to feel and be a part of the indigenous culture. It is seen as another tourist thing to be seen to have done.
The indigenous feel their sacred site is being disrespected. It is.
Non indigenous have few natural sacred sites and little understanding of them. Their sacred sites include churches and cemeteries. They do not allow people to climb their churches or walk over graves. It has probably not crossed their mind to do so.
Why then is it seen as acceptable to climb on an indigenous sacred site. It can only be because the indigenous site is seen as unimportant to non indigenous, that is second rate. This is blatant racism.
If the indigenous believe their sacred site is being disrespected and it is; they are entitled to stop people climbing the site.
From my guide Crazy Horse through Ian Rogers Director Sphinx Spiritual
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