The Latji Latji, Ngintait and Nyeri Nyeri peoples celebrated the end of a decades-long fight on Friday with a Federal Court ruling that their application for native title, formally lodged in 2015, was valid.

Representatives from the three groups, gathered in Mildura for the determination, expressed their joy at the successful end to their long-running claim.

The native title determination area in Victoria’s north west.

“As a Latji Latji man, I am proud that our rights and interests are formally recognised on the lands where my ancestors lived,” said Shane Jones Snr.

Nyeri Nyeri Elder Wendy Brabham spoke of her mother’s fight for land rights stretching back to the 1970s.

“It means we can continue to care and look after the lands where our ancestors walked, hunted and held ceremonies on.”