DARLOT MOB GET LONG-AWAITED NATIVE TITLE

Verna Vos on country after this week’s Darlot Native Title determination. Photo by Wanita Bartholemeusz.

In the northern Goldfields, the Federal Court handed down the Darlot Native Title determination earlier this week.

Traditional custodian Verna Vos said it had been a long journey but the values of their old people kept them motivated.

“That kept me focussed on helping others to be able to unite and remind them that the old people always said: ‘we’re the Darlot mob and this is what we stand for’,” she said. “So that was one of the main factors that helped keep people together. And I think over time more people, realising that is now here, will be able to start feeling that sense of belonging, that strength in identity.”

At an on-country hearing Mr Justice Mordy Bromberg handed down the determination for descendents of about 20 ancestors on Tuesday.

Roe Legal solicitor Kelsi Forrest, who was part of their legal team, said it had been a particularly complicated case.

“It’s been a very long fight for people in that area of the Goldfields,” she said. “There have been numerous native title claims that have been lodged and unfortunately were unsuccessful. So we’re very proud to be associated with the first positive native title determination in the region and hopefully this starts of a chain of events which leads to further native title outcomes in the region and things can be resolved for the people. That would be really great.”

The determined claim for about 21,000 square kilometres surrounding Leonora and Menzies is mostly non-exclusive, meaning existing rights for others over roads, water and mineral access are also preserved.