Utopia, also known as Urapuntja and Amengernterneah,[1] is an Aboriginal Australian homeland area formed in November 1978 by the amalgamation of the former Utopia pastoral lease, from which it gains its name, with a tract of unalienable land to its north. It covers an area of 3,500 km2 (1,400 sq mi), transected by the Sandover River, and lies on a traditional boundary of the Alyawarre and Anmatyerre people, the two Aboriginal language groups which predominate there today (85% speaking Alyawarre).
It has a number of unique elements. It is one of a minority of communities created by autonomous activism in the early phase of the land rights movement. It was neither a former mission, nor a government settlement (Aboriginal reserve), but was successfully claimed by Aboriginal Australians who had never been fully dispossessed. Its people have expressly repudiated any municipal establishment, and instead live in about 13 (or up to 16) outstations (homelands) or clan sites, each with a traditional claim to the place. The land is also differently identified as five Countries, which are reflected in Aboriginal place names, which were created by ancestors: Alhalpere, Rreltye, Thelye, Atarrkete and Ingutanka. Alhalkere, (also known as Alalgura) and Utopia Station.[2]
Its local government authority is the Barkly Regional Council, with two elected local authorities, Ampilatwatja and Arlparra. The peak body for representing the residents is the Urapuntja Aboriginal Corporation. A permit is required for all visitors, obtainable via the Central Land Council.
The health of the inhabitants is generally better than the average Indigenous Australians' health. Utopia is known for its artists, such as Emily Kame Kngwarreye and the Petyarre sisters, and there is a community art centre at Ampilatwatja.