Historic Native Title Claim Rocks Melbourne: Wurundjeri People Fight for Recognition and Respect After Centuries of Oppression
- Eleven applicants, including Wurundjeri man Darcy Cohen-Hunter, file native title claim over Melbourne and surrounding regions
- The claim, which could take years to be decided, seeks recognition of traditional rights and continuous connection to the area
- Wurundjeri people reassure Victorians that private land is not affected, but rather crown land and national parks are at the centre of the claim
- The move comes just a week after the Victorian Labor government passed an Australia-first treaty with Indigenous Australians
In a groundbreaking move, the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people have filed a historic native title claim over Melbourne and surrounding regions, marking a significant step towards recognition and respect after centuries of oppression. The claim, which was lodged in the federal court on Friday, covers thousands of square kilometres and seeks recognition under Australian law of the Wurundjeri people’s traditional rights and continuous connection to the area.
Darcy Cohen-Hunter, one of the lead applicants, described the commencement of the case as an “incredibly proud moment for our mob”. He reassured Victorians concerned about their homes, stating that the claim does not encompass private land, but rather crown land and national parks. “It is primarily crown land and mainly things like national parks that we get to have our say in recognition of the land and waters there,” he told the ABC.
The claim includes most of metropolitan Melbourne, known as “Naarm” to the Wurundjeri people, and covers from the mouth of the Werribee River north to its headwater in the Great Dividing Range, east to Mount Baw Baw and south through Bunyip and west to Mordialloc Creek. The Wurundjeri people are already recognised as traditional owners of a similar area under Victorian law.
The claim comes just a week after the Victorian Labor government passed an Australia-first treaty with Indigenous Australians. Native title only applies to crown land and does not affect private homes, businesses or infrastructure. If successful, it would be the eighth native title determination in Victoria and the third covering a capital city.
Wurundjeri elder Di Kerr said that the Wurundjeri people want to work cooperatively with local councils and other traditional owner groups during the process. “We want to talk together… we don’t want it to be separate,” she said. “We want to have partnerships with governments and Parks Victoria so we can co-manage and look after that country.”
The claim draws on historical and anthropological details showing the Wurundjeri people’s connection to country before 1836 through culture, ceremony and care for land and waterways. Traditional laws and customs of the Wurundjeri people relating to rights and responsibilities for country are at the centre of the native title claim.
Evidence will also be presented that elders have passed down knowledge of the land and ceremony, fishing, hunting, language and art, ensuring cultural continuity. Wurundjeri elder Perry Wandin said that the Wurundjeri people have fought for decades for recognition and respect and have been at the forefront of protecting culture and Country in Melbourne and surrounds.
Uncle Bill Nicholson said that “for thousands of years Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people have had to adapt to the environment around us to live and thrive on our country”. “Since the colonial invaders came to Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Country in the 1800s we have had to compromise our ways to survive,” he said.
The Wurundjeri people are hoping to negotiate the transfer of management of some parks and conservation areas within the claim area, which could include parts of the Dandenong Ranges, Bunyip state park, Wombat state forest and Lerderderg state park.