Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Nigel Scullion, has welcomed the Kuruma Marthudunera (Part A) native determination delivered at a hearing of the Federal Court of Australia in the Pilbara region of Western Australia today.
The native title determination, handed down at a hearing at Mindoona, near Pannawonica, covers an area of approximately 4109 square kilometres in the upper reaches of the Robe River and Hamersley Ranges.
“Recognising the rights of Indigenous owners to these lands is particularly important given the connection to country of the traditional owners of this land,” Minister Scullion said.
“Today’s hearing was important because the determination of native title guarantees the Robe River Kuruma people a stake in negotiations that might affect their heritage, culture, and country. Most importantly, the recognition ensures they will continue to be, as they always have been, the traditional owners of their land.
“The Kuruma Marthudunera Claim (Part A) determination will be managed by the Kuruma Marthudunera Aboriginal Corporation, an organisation established to record Kuruma Marthudunera people’s culture and the progression of the Kuruma Marthudunera people’s native title claims.”
Minister Scullion congratulated the Robe River Kuruma people and their legal representative, the Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation.
The Coalition Government is working with native title holders across the country to ensure native title rights and interests deliver the benefits they should, including opportunities for native title holders to engage in activities that support their economic development.