Native title win for people in WA's north

A two-decade legal battle has concluded with the Ngarrawanji people finally recognised as the native title holders of an area in Western Australia's East Kimberley region.

Federal Court Justice Debra Mortimer noted only two of the 11 original members of the claim group were still alive since the application was lodged in June 1996.

She said the group deserved respect and admiration for their patience during the slow progress.

"It should not have taken this long," Justice Mortimer said.

"The tolerance and persistence of the Ngarrawanji claim group members in this respect comes on top of, or in addition to, the many other obstacles which have faced Aboriginal people and their communities since non-indigenous people came to this land."

Justice Mortimer further acknowledged those who did not live to see the resolution by saying their descriptions of their connection to their country were important to establishing native title and securing the consent determination.

"They will be present in the minds of all those who listen to the making of the court's orders, and their contribution will be acknowledged and remembered, but the tragedy of their absence remains," she said.