Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park was placed on the List of World Heritage in 1994 as the second cultural landscape recognised in the world. The Park was first listed for its natural values in 1987. The listing means that the Park is recognised throughout the world as a living cultural landscape. The cultural values of the traditional owners are therefore central to the global importance of the Park. Respect for traditional law and custom, or Tjukurpa, is vitally important for managing the values of the Park.

This senior traditional owner was directly descended from the Tjukurpa that shaped the features of the landscape. He was the intellectual source and inspiration of Joint Management at Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park. In keeping with their responsibilities, Parks Australia recognises and respects the fact that the family of the deceased man, as a mark of respect, have asked visitors to their land to refrain from climbing Uluru. By respecting the wishes of the family of the deceased man at this time, visitors have an opportunity to assist in ensuring that the cultural values of the Park are respected, maintained and protected.

In 1995 UNESCO awarded Uluru-Kata Tjuta with the Picasso Gold Medal for outstanding efforts to preserve the landscape and Anangu culture and for setting new international standards for World Heritage Management.

The deceased elder has been a distinguished senior statesman and ambassador for his people and the Park. He assisted the Australian Government in gaining World Heritage listing by travelling to France and Thailand and presenting Anangu community support for the inscription. In 1999 the Government of Portugal invited him to share his experience on rock art protection. In 2000 he worked with the World Heritage Committee at its meeting in Cairns, Australia to develop new strategies for indigenous involvement in World Heritage management.

Indigenous people managing protected areas throughout the world have lost an inspirational leader.