Queenslands popular Fraser Island has been returned to its Indigenous people, with the Federal Court granting native title rights. The ruling recognised the World Heritage-listed islands Indigenous heritage of the Butchulla people and opened up possible economic opportunities for the future. Federal Court Justice Berna Collier held an on-country sitting of the court. The history of Australia, the European civilisation of Australia, is very closely linked with the Butchullas here on Fraser Island, Justice Collier said. The Butchulla People have called Fraser Island home for at least 5,000 years, known to the local Indigenous people as KGari, which means paradise. The worlds largest sand island had not always been an idyllic home, with its people fighting off forced removal, sand mining and environmental damage, to maintain their connection to the island. The CEO of Queensland South Native Title Services, Kevin Smith, said it was a significant claim that had been in the Federal Court for many years. Mr Smith said the determination of native title was a testament to the strength of the Butchulla people and their ongoing connection to the land. [ABC News] abc.net.au/news/2014-10-24/federal-court-rules-on-fraser-island-native-title/5839474
Posted on: Sat, 25 Oct 2014 07:12:46 +0000
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