Kimberley Land Council facts for kids
The Kimberley Land Council Aboriginal Corporation, often called the Kimberley Land Council (KLC), is an important group for Aboriginal Australians in the Kimberley area of Western Australia. It helps Aboriginal people look after their land and culture.
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What is the Kimberley Land Council?
The Kimberley Land Council is like a special organization that represents Aboriginal people. It works to protect their rights and interests, especially when it comes to their traditional lands. The KLC helps different Aboriginal groups in the Kimberley region.
How the KLC Began
The Kimberley Land Council was started a long time ago. It was formed at a meeting in May 1978. This meeting happened at a place called Noonkanbah Station. Since then, the KLC has grown to become a very important voice for Aboriginal people in the Kimberley.
Official Recognition
The KLC is officially registered as a corporation. Its special number is ICN 21. This means it is recognized by the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations. Being registered helps the KLC do its work properly and legally.
Protecting Traditional Lands: Native Title
One of the most important jobs of the Kimberley Land Council is to help Aboriginal people get their land rights recognized. This is done through something called native title.
What is Native Title?
Native title is a special legal right. It recognizes that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a connection to their traditional lands and waters. This connection comes from their traditional laws and customs. The Native Title Act 1993 is a law that helps make these rights official.
KLC's Role in Native Title Claims
The KLC acts as the main group for native title in the Kimberley. This means they help traditional owners – the Aboriginal people who have a strong connection to specific areas of land – make their native title claims. They work to prove these connections in court.
Successful Native Title Claims
Between 1998 and 2007, the KLC helped many Aboriginal groups win their native title cases. These cases were heard in the Federal Court. Some of the successful claims included:
- Miriuwung and Gajerrong people
- Karajarri people
- Tjurabalan people
- Bardi Jawi people
- Wanjina Wunggurr claim, for the Ngarinyin and Wilinggin people
- Rubibi (Broome) claim, for the Yawuru people
More Recent Determinations
More recently, in May 2011, two more important native title decisions were made. These were for the Uunguu (Wunambal) and Dambimangari (Worrorra) people. These decisions were part of the larger Wanjina Wunggurr claim. They helped these groups get their traditional land rights recognized.
