The Latji Latji, Ngintait, and Nyeri Nyeri communities celebrated the conclusion of a decades-long battle on Friday when a Federal Court decision confirmed the validity of their native title application, which was officially submitted in 2015.

In Mildura, representatives from the three groups came together for the determination, celebrating the successful resolution of their prolonged claim.

The native title determination area in Victoria’s north west.

“As a Latji Latji man, I am proud that our rights and interests are formally recognised on the lands where my ancestors lived,” said Shane Jones Snr.

Nyeri Nyeri Elder Wendy Brabham spoke of her mother’s fight for land rights stretching back to the 1970s.

“It means we can continue to care and look after the lands where our ancestors walked, hunted and held ceremonies on.”