After almost a 30 year battle, the native title rights of Middamia families have been recognised

Reflecting on the ruling, Yinggarda Elder Thomas Dodd spoke about his family members who have passed on and are no longer here to see the outcome of their advocacy.

An emotional celebration happened on Country. Credit: Jose Kalpers, YMAC

Traditional Owners and their families celebrated on Country on Middalya Station after finding out that their Native Title rights had finally been recognised.

The Determination Area will cover around 733 square kilometres.

The legal battle took almost 30 years.

Some Elders and claimants who have been apart of the legal process since inception have now sadly passed on, unable to see the results of their hard work.

One man who did get to see out his fight for his traditional lands is Yinggarda man Thomas Dodd, who is the last living Elder from his family that was part of the claim.

Mr Dodd said it was all for the next generation.

"I've got the next generation here with me, my nephews, and nieces, which are my sons and daughters.

"I got the knowledge of the land and family connections which I will pass on to my next generation, so they know the connections that we got on this Country," he said.

The moment is bittersweet for Mr Dodd, who wishes his family that have now passed were here to celebrate with him.

"Being the only one left, I recall way back in the day when I used to come out and spend time here during my school holidays with my Old People," he said.

What does the determination mean for the community?

The ruling means the Middamia claim group will have certain procedural rights under the Native Title Act.

Procedural rights include the rights to negotiate, be consulted, be notified and the right to comment on certain future acts on the Determination Area.

Regional Manager of the Native title representative body Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation Chris Dann said that procedural rights can give Traditional Owners agency over their lands.

“These procedural rights such as the right to be consulted, ideally from the very beginning, and the right to negotiate with regards to development in the Determination Area, is an opportunity for genuine partnerships between Traditional Owners and proponents.

"[It] should be the way when conducting business of any kind on Country, such as mining and renewable energy projects,” she said.