Emotional day as East Kimberley native title recognised

It was an emotional day for traditional owners on Nganjuwarr country when the Federal Court formally recognised their native title claim to over 900 square kilometres of land and waters in northern Western Australia.Lucilla Martin was one of about 100 traditional owners who gathered at Pelican's Nest on the Dunham River for Wednesday's on-country hearing."I feel so great that I want to jump over this moon, wherever it is, to be free and to do my things," she said.But the "long journey" to formal recognition was bittersweet."Today I had tears for my dad, my sister, my brother and my mum, I had a bit of sadness today," Ms Martin said, reflecting on family members who had passed away.Lucilla Martin was delighted to see the native title recognised. (ABC Kimberley: Giulia Bertoglio)A major milestoneThe Nganjuwarr native title claim filed in 2024 area covers 960 kilometres of the East Kimberley.On Wednesday Federal Court Justice Erin Longbottom awarded claimants exclusive rights over that area, bringing the total native title coverage of the Kimberley to 97 per cent.The hearing opened with a smoking ceremony. (ABC Kimberley: Giulia Bertoglio)Kimberley Land Council, which represented the claim group, said the recognition put traditional owners in a stronger negotiating position with Giliwinggin Aboriginal Corporation, now appointed as the prescribed body corporate."It gives us an opportunity to have our voices heard and strengthens our rights and interests," deputy chief executive Sarah Parriman said."If effectively should mean that the government and other interested parties need to come and talk to traditional owners."Erin Longbottom congratulates the traditional owners. (ABC Kimberley: Giulia Bertoglio)A formal framework for resourcesOne of those interested parties is minerals company Tivan Limited, which is seeking approval to expand its groundwater extraction for its Speewah Project, the largest mining venture on Nganjuwarr country.Grant Wilson and Raphael Sampi shaking hands at the event. (ABC Kimberley: Giulia Bertoglio)Executive chairman Grant Wilson welcomed Wednesday's decision, which he said would build on the company's existing partnership with Nganjuwarr traditional owners and the Kimberley Land Council."The agreement we entered into at the start still governs our process. In parallel, we've been working towards what's known as an Indigenous Land Use Agreement, and that negotiation is ongoing, expected to conclude in the second half of this year," he said."And now we have a negotiating party that's formally recognised as having exclusive possession of native title."Traditional owner Raphael Sampi said mining could "make our country look ugly", but was keen to engage in talks with Tivan."I'm going to talk up for the country, find out what they are doing … whatever they are doing, I'm going to be the one there, talking to them," he said.