Anniversary of the Noongar South West Settlement’s Commencement

25 February 2021

The South West Native Title Settlement commenced on 25 February 2021. The anniversary recognises a major negotiated settlement between Noongar people and the Western Australian Government.

A negotiated Noongar settlement

The settlement comprises six Indigenous Land Use Agreements. Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation distinguishes the conclusive registration of the agreements on 27 January 2021 from their formal commencement on 25 February. This entry uses commencement.

A settlement with its own structure

The outcome should be described as a negotiated settlement, rather than a court determination that native title exists across every part of the south-west. Its benefits, institutions and resolution of native title have to be understood through the agreements.

The Western Australian Government and Noongar organisations provide accounts of the settlement’s history and operation. Reading those perspectives together can help learners understand both the scale of the outcome and the distinct roles of the institutions involved.

An anniversary should not imply that all Noongar people held the same view about the negotiations or that every promised action occurred on the commencement day. It can recognise a major milestone while leaving room to examine implementation and different community perspectives.

Reflecting and learning

Identify the difference between an agreement’s registration and commencement. What responsibilities continue after a settlement formally begins?

Start with the sources below and distinguish the original event from later interpretations and commemorations. When using this date in a classroom or workplace, allow time for questions and further reading. First Nations peoples have diverse histories and perspectives; this brief introduction does not speak for every community.

Sources and further reading

• The South West Native Title Settlement — Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation
• South West Native Title Settlement — Western Australian Government

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We do not currently offer products or learning resources specifically for this date. The reading links above are provided for background and further learning. Suitable items from our range will be added here as they become available.