The Kowanyama Native Title Determination formally recognises the ongoing cultural, spiritual, and legal connection of Traditional Owners to their ancestral lands and waters within the Kowanyama region. This determination affirms that Native Title continues to exist under Australian law and acknowledges the authority of First Nations peoples to maintain, protect, and practise their cultural traditions, laws, and customs across their Country.

For the Kokoberrin peoples, inclusion within the Kowanyama Native Title framework affirms their identity as Traditional Custodians and secures specific rights and interests over their traditional lands, sea, and freshwater systems. This recognition is a critical step in restoring self-determination, strengthening cultural governance, and protecting Kokoberrin sovereignty over Country.

What the Native Title Claim Entitles for Kokoberrin Peoples

The determination provides Kokoberrin peoples with recognised rights to:

• Access, occupy and live on their traditional Country

• Hunt, fish, gather and use natural resources for personal, cultural and non-commercial purposes

• Conduct cultural practices, ceremonies and spiritual activities

• Protect sacred sites, burial grounds and areas of cultural significance

• Teach and pass on cultural knowledge, language and lore

• Make decisions regarding land use and cultural heritage protection

• Participate in negotiations relating to development, mining or land use agreements

• Co-manage land and water resources with government and partner institutions

• Maintain traditional relationship systems connected to land, sea and freshwater territories

This determination reinforces the Kokoberrin peoples’ inherent responsibilities to care for Country, uphold cultural law, and continue practised stewardship handed down by ancestors across generations.