Twenty-six years after their first application, Kunja Traditional Owners have been granted Native Title to more than 20-thousand hectares of land and water in south-west Queensland around the town of Cunnamulla.
Traditional Owner Stephen Howarth said the determination made on Country today was a “momentous occasion."
“This native title determination is vitally important for our young people who need to connect to Country because if they don’t our culture and our language will be lost,” he said.
“By recognising the Kunja People as the traditional custodians of the land, our language, identity and culture will be awoken in our young people.
“There are some First Nations languages and cultures that aren’t lost, they’re just asleep – and for us, this is an awakening."
Kunja Traditional Owners gave a gift after their native title land claim was granted at Paroo Shire Hall in Cunnamulla. Source: Supplied: Qld South Native Title Services
Mr Howarth attributed the success of their claim to the old people who came before him, who shared their stories, journeys, and connections to the land.
“[Kunja people] will go away today with a bit of joy in their heart and soul to know that they are now formally recognised.
“Because of them old people that came before us, who had the conversations back in the day.
“If those things weren't recorded about who we are as a people, we wouldn’t be celebrating this day today.”
Queensland South Native Title Services CEO Kevin Smith told NITV News the feeling at the hearing was pure jubilation.
“This mob has been seeking native title recognition for almost three decades, to see that happen today, it was truly a coming home moment and a really powerful day,” he said.
The first application by the Kunja people was made in 1996. That claim was later withdrawn and the claim that was recognised today was submitted in 2015.
A map of the Native Title land claim which makes up 2.5% of the total Kunja Nation. Source: Queensland South Native Title Services
Mr Smith said the “long arduous task” was due to a number of changes in the jurisprudence of the law and changes to the Native Title Act over the years.
“It’s almost like dancing on a moving carpet, trying to move things forward when the goalposts keep moving around,” he said.
Traditional Owners are now turning their focus to setting up a governing body for the Native Title and creating a safe space for Kunja mob to discuss what the future holds.
