Gregory Billycan's Colleagues at Western Desert Lands Aboriginal Corporation
Gregory Billycan's Contact Details
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Western Australia,Australia
Western Desert Lands Aboriginal Corporation
Gregory Billycan's Company Details
Western Desert Lands Aboriginal Corporation (Jamukurnu-Yapalikunu/WDLAC) is the Prescribed Body Corporate for the Martu People of the Central Western Desert region in Western Australia. On behalf of Martu People, WDLAC hold native title rights and interests, including the right to exclusive use, occupation and possession, which includes the right to control access, of 136,000 square kilometres of land within the Central Western Desert region. WDLAC is extensively involved in numerous projects for the cultural, social and economic benefit of the current and future generations of Martu. Martu People Martu are an Australian Aboriginal people of the Western Desert. Their lands include the Percival Lakes and Pilbara regions in Western Australia. They traditionally occupied a large tract of land; their neighbours to the east are the Pintupi. Martu language groups include Manyjilyjarra; Kartujarra; Kiyajarra; Putijarra; Nyiyaparli; Warnman; Ngulipartu; Pitjikala; Kurajarra; Jiwaliny; Mangala; and Nangajarra. Martu means ‘one of us', or ‘person'. Traditional Martu language is called Martu Wangka, a Western Desert Language. The majority of Martu are bilingual with English as their second language. Today, approximately 2500 Martu live in and around their determination area including within their established communities at Jigalong, Punmu, Parnngurr (Cotton Creek) and Kunawarritji (Well 33). Martu Country The Martu People of Western Australia are recognised as one of Australia's only native title groups to have exclusive use, occupation, possession and control and interests over such a large area of land. This native title determination is the first outcome of the campaign the Martu People have waged for more than 20 years to have their traditional rights and interests to the land recognised. The determination of native title, which was made by consent of all Parties, recognises 136000 sq kms of the original Martu native title application.