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 a special organisation that works for Aboriginal people. It helps them protect their traditional lands and waters. The KLC also supports Aboriginal communities in the Kimberley region.
How the KLC Started
The KLC was first created at a meeting in May 1978. This meeting happened at a place called Noonkanbah Station. People came together to form the KLC to make sure Aboriginal voices were heard about their land.
What is Native Title?
Native title is a special legal right that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have to their traditional lands and waters. These rights come from their own laws and customs that have been passed down for thousands of years. The Native Title Act 1993 is a law that helps recognise these rights in Australia.
Who are Traditional Owners?
Traditional owners are the Aboriginal people who belong to a certain area of land. They have a deep connection to that land through their family history, culture, and spiritual beliefs.
How the KLC Helps with Native Title
Since the Native Title Act became law in 1993, the KLC has been the main group helping Aboriginal people in the Kimberley with their native title claims. They are known as the "native title representative body" for the region. This means they help traditional owners prove their connection to the land in court.
Successful Native Title Claims
Between 1998 and 2007, the KLC helped many Aboriginal groups win their native title cases in the Federal Court. These successful claims recognised the rights of:
- The Miriuwung and Gajerrong people
- The Karajarri people
- The Tjurabalan people
- The Bardi Jawi people
- The Wanjina Wunggurr people, which includes the Ngarinyin and Wilinggin people
- The Rubibi (Broome) people, who are the Yawuru people
More recently, in May 2011, the native title rights for the Uunguu (Wunambal) and Dambimangari (Worrorra) people were also recognised. These were part of the larger Wanjina Wunggurr claim.
