Antakirinja Matu-Yankunytjatjara Native Title Welcomed

On May 11 the Antakirinja Matu-Yankunytjatjara people welcomed and celebrated their successful native title claim at a hearing and signing ceremony in Coober Pedy.

The day started with a federal court hearing in which Justice John Mansfield made a consent determination recognising the Antakirinja Matu-Yankunytjatjara People as native title holders of 78,672 sq km of land and waters.

The Chairperson of the Antakirinja Matu-Yankunytjatjara native title committee, David Brown said the fight for recognition had been going on for many years and a long time before native title, but it is important not to give up.

"We put in our claim over 15 years ago. It was important that we did not give up hope. Today shows us what we can do if we stick to our goals and get good advice and assistance," he said.

Mr Brown said that the Antakirinja Matu-Yankunytjatjara people already have a strong relationship with the mining companies in the region and look forward to the opportunities native title will bring.

"We see education, training and jobs for our children and grand-children as the way for the future.

"We want to stand on our own feet and make it happen for ourselves, and this determination of native title has given us the confidence to keep trying to make it happen," he said.

Following the Court proceedings the pastoralists, the SA Government and the Antakirinja Matu-Yankunytjatjara People finalised 29 pastoral ILUAs (Indigenous Land Use Agreements) that set out the terms of the ongoing relationship between the pastoralists and the Antakirinja Matu-Yankunytjatjara People.

The SA Government, the District Council of Coober Pedy and the Antakirinja Matu-Yankunytjatjara People have also signed an ILUA regarding the Breakaways Reserve and the Tallaringa ILUA is now authorised.

The Court has recognised non-exclusive rights to hunt, fish, live, camp, gather and use the natural resources, undertake cultural activities including relating to births and deaths, conduct ceremonies and meetings, and protect places of cultural and religious significance.

Native title holder, David Crombie said the native title determination will allow for Aboriginal people and non-Aboriginal people to form close working relationships and both cultures will learn more about each other.

"Coming this far I think we can all work together... people can learn more about Aboriginal culture and both cultures can share their skills. It was a learning process when we went for native title...it was a learning process for each culture," said Mr Crombie.

SANTS CEO Parry Agius praised those who had been involved in the negotiations, saying that careful negotiation and good will from all parties had resulted in strong long-lasting relationships as well as a solid agreement.

"This agreement provides certainty for all and sets out the relevant processes for access to the land. It will make for smoother and stronger relationships, especially with regard to minerals exploration and mining in that region.

"The Rann Government wants to push for more minerals exploration and mining to allow for strong economic growth in our state; agreements such as the Antakarinja Matu-Yankunytjatjara consent determination play an important role in ensuring that exploration and development can occur in ways that will benefit everyone," said Mr Agius.

National Native Title Tribunal Deputy President Chris Sumner said the outcome was the culmination of many years of careful negotiation and perseverance by all parties.

"All the parties involved in the process leading to today’s outcome are to be congratulated for their willingness to work together to achieve a fair result. In particular the Antakirinja Matu-Yankunytjatjara People and their representatives have worked with dedication and commitment to achieve this result.

"This determination is a further example of what can be achieved when all those involved in the native title process – the Federal Court, the Tribunal, South Australian Native Title Services, the SA Government and legal and anthropological advisors – work together in a cooperative way ," Mr Sumner said.

This is the fifth determination in South Australia, following the contested determination of De Rose Hill in 2005, and the consent determinations of Yankunytjatjara/Antakirinja in 2006, Witjira National Park in 2008 and Adnyamathanha People in 2009.