The ruling includes the right to camp, hunt, fish, collect plants, protect sites of cultural significance and conduct ceremonies. It also provides the opportunity for economic development as Victoria continues to progress towards a statewide treaty with First Peoples.
The court orders recognising the native title are made by agreement with the State of Victoria, the Commonwealth of Australia and 156 interest groups that responded to the court application. The orders recognise native title to a part of traditional Eastern Maar Country, with further legal recognition of extended territory to follow during the year.
The claim was first filed in the Federal Court in December 2012. Tuesday’s decision provides formal recognition of the land rights of the Maar, Gunditjmara, Tjap Wurrung, Peek Whurrung, Keeray Wooroong , Kuurn Kopan Noot, Yarro Waetch , Djargurd Wurrung, Gulidjan and Gadubanud First Peoples.Eastern Maar chief executive officer Marcus Clarke said the determination recognised laws and customs observed by generations of First Peoples.
”Our peoples have fought hard for their country,” he said. “We have fought to substantially maintain and practice our traditional laws and customs, and importantly pass on cultural and spiritual knowledge throughout our family groups from generation to generation. “I am extremely proud of our communities’ efforts in working together and our collective grit and determination to achieve native title recognition. It’s an important step in our shared history.”
“What this determination underscores is the legal principle that we have an inherent right to be an active participant in growing that regional prosperity and deriving an economic benefit from it.” Right. Several people in that image had ZERO Aboriginal connection before 2012
There is one aboriginal in that photo
Worked out great in South Africa, let’s give the lot back and we all go back to our own countries
Where’s the proof they ever owned it Nowhere that’s the point. Yes they walked on it but that was it. There was never any ownership. No government. No admin system. Nothing. Just a bunch of tribes following the food source. That’s not ownership so how do you return something…
The map doesn’t go anywhere near Port Fairy. More inaccurate reporting.
It’s time to repeal all native title legislation.