About The Ngadju Native Aboriginal Title Corporation
The Federal Court of Australia granted native title to the Ngadju people on 21st November 2014, and 17th July 2017.
The Ngadju people’s traditional ownership of 102,000 km2 of land surrounding the town of Norseman was recognised, including exclusive Native Title rights to 41,300 km2, which is the highest level of Native Title Rights that can be granted.
Ngadju Culture
The Ngadju Native Aboriginal Title Corporation RNTBC is committed to developing an appreciation and respect for Ngadju culture by raising awareness, recognising and celebrating our First Nation’s people.
All cultures have customs, values, and codes of behaviour that are important. These contribute to the cultural diversity now cherished by Australians. For Ngadju people this is just as important as it is for other cultures. But for Ngadju people much of their culture has been lost as a direct result of previous policies of all spheres of government. It is important that this knowledge is rebuilt and acknowledged. Like most tribal groups, the Ngadju people developed their own language and were proud of their important role as the carers and custodians of their land.
Being spiritual people, they practiced sacred ceremonies and dances, many sites of significance remain important places for men and women to connect to country today.
Ngadju Country
Ngadju country expands the pristine Woodlands forests between Kalgoorlie and Esperance. Known for its extensive biodiversity, there are numerous species of Flora and Fauna of international significance. The Ngadju people have lived on this land for perhaps as long as 50,000 years, living a simple lifestyle as hunter gatherers.
The Ngadju Native Title determination area extends in the South-East of Western Australia covering an area in excess of 120,000 square miles (covering an area greater than the United Kingdom).
Running south from Goddard Creek to Mount Ragged, Israelite Bay and Point Malcolm. The last-named area was land they claim in contention with the Nyunga branch of the Wudjari. Their western borders were around Fraser Range. The eastern frontier was in the vicinity of Narethal and Point Culver. Mount Andrew and Balladonia were also part of Ngadju territory.
In 2014 and 2017 the Federal Court recognised Ngadju traditional ownership of over 102,000 square kilometres, after a long legal proceeding which began in 1995. The land includes exclusive native title over approximately 45,000 square kilometres, east and west of the town of Norseman.
In 2020 the Ngadju Indigenous Protected Area was dedicated on Ngadju land. The Ngadju serve as traditional custodians of the area, which covers 43,993.01 km2, about a quarter of the Great Western Woodlands.
Ngadju Heritage
Ngadju Aboriginal Cultural Heritage is the practices and people, objects and places that are valued, culturally meaningful and connected to identity and Country.
Aboriginal Cultural Heritage shapes identity and is a lived spirituality that is fundamental to the wellbeing of communities through connectedness across generations.
Ngadju Cultural Heritage has been passed from the Ancestors to future generations through today’s Traditional Owners whose responsibilities are profound and lifelong.
Contact us for more information
Get in touch with us using the following form or give us a call on (08) 9462 3500
