The Utopia homelands are located 230 km North East of Alice Springs in Central Australia. The area encompasses about fifteen small aboriginal communities including Boundary Bore, Mosquito Bore, Soakage Bore, Soapy Bore and Kurrajong Bore.
European immigrants began to settle on the land in the early 1900's where the existence of water and wildlife lead to its name 'Utopia'. The indigenous population of the area were employed as maids and stockmen until the early 1970's. Aborigines re-claimed the land from the pastoralists and with the success of the 1970-1980 batik movement and later, acrylic on canvas they were able to support their claim and achieve financial independence. The first pastoral lease was granted back to the Aborigines by the Land Fund Commission in 1977 since which the traditional custodians have been returning to the region in droves.
European immigrants began to settle on the land in the early 1900's where the existence of water and wildlife lead to its name 'Utopia'. The indigenous population of the area were employed as maids and stockmen until the early 1970's. Aborigines re-claimed the land from the pastoralists and with the success of the 1970-1980 batik movement and later, acrylic on canvas they were able to support their claim and achieve financial independence. The first pastoral lease was granted back to the Aborigines by the Land Fund Commission in 1977 since which the traditional custodians have been returning to the region in droves.
