‘NOW THE WORK REALLY BEGINS’ TJALKADJARA PEOPLE LOOK TO THE FUTURE AFTER HISTORIC DETERMINATION IN THE GOLDFIELDS
By: Lynnese O’Donoghue
The Tjalkadjara People have described a landmark Federal Court native title determination in Western Australia’s Northern Goldfields as a moment of relief, recognition and renewed responsibility to protect Country for future generations.
The Federal Court formally recognised the Tjalkadjara People’s native title on Monday, 14 September, over about 6,726 square kilometres of Country around Lake Wells, north-east of Laverton.
The consent determination ends a legal process stretching back almost eight years, after the Tjalkadjara native title claim was filed in 2018.
Speaking live with Ngaarda Radio Breakfast host Lynnese O’Donoghue following the determination, Tjalkadjara Traditional Owner and Tjalkadjara Aboriginal Corporation Chairperson Verna Ashwin Vos said finally reaching the milestone brought relief, but also mixed emotions after the long journey.
“In one word, relief,” Ms Vos said.
Traditional Owner & Chairperson Verna Vos in the centre with the barristers who represented the Tjalkadjara claimants
“But you can be assured there’s a lot of mixed emotions because of the length of time that it takes through this process.
Tjalkadjara Traditional Owners and advocates outside federal court in Boorloo / Perth after the Tjalkadjara Consent Determination. Image: Ronan O'Connell. Credit: https://nit.com.au/14-09-2026/26470/tjalkadjara-traditional-owners-secure-native-title-in-northern-goldfields
Tjalkadjara Traditional Owners and advocates outside federal court in Boorloo / Perth after the Tjalkadjara Consent Determination. Image: Ronan O'Connell. Credit: https://nit.com.au/14-09-2026/26470/tjalkadjara-traditional-owners-secure-native-title-in-northern-goldfields
“This journey has been really emotionally challenging and very stressful for many of our people.”
Ms Vos said the determination was about much more than legal recognition of land.
Lake Wells, North East of Laverton, in the Goldfields, Tjalkadjara People’s Country.
For Tjalkadjara families, she said it strengthened identity and formally acknowledged their continuing connection to Country.
“The overall sense is that belonging, the sense of identity, having recognition and finally acknowledgement of us as the Tjalkadjara People in that area,” she said.
Traditional Owners and Verna Vos with the barristers that represented Tjalkadjara Claimants