(c) Resources and trauma
The lack of resources in the native title system and the degree of trauma associated with native
title were areas of great importance in the survey results. The results described key issues in
this area, including:
native title holders and PBCs do not have enough information to meet their obligations under
the Native Title Act, to exercise their native title rights, or to participate in native title related
negotiations and agreements
native title claim processes are a source of trauma (see Table 4.1)
the need for additional resources to address such trauma and conflict.
The survey revealed mixed opinions as to whether the reassertion of traditional protocols would
serve to prevent or mediate conflict, suggesting the complexity of the landscape.
The comments collected from the survey provided greater insight into the role of resources and
trauma in native title processes. The comments from women regarding resources for participation
and management of native title land addressed the lack of resources available to community.
Some of the women questioned the funding of PBCs and the money politics involved with
community governance bodies more broadly. Many of the women commented on governance
bodies not representing the community adequately and privileging certain connections. These
women also described a lack of engagement between native title governance and community,
particularly Traditional Owners and Elders. Several women commented that native title
governance arrangements privilege government interests, breaching native title holders’ rights
and impacting negatively on the right to self‑determination.
Comments from women regarding trauma in native title further illuminated the issues. Many
women described the native title processes and system as distressing, leaving them without
a say and without rights. They described the impact of the system as traumatising and the
process as having been responsible for splitting up families. Several women asserted that native
title does not deliver justice and instead creates division.
Figure 1.3 highlights the responses to questions about the connection between native title
processes and trauma, and the systems for managing native title land and community division.
Figure 1.3: Responses to questions about the relationship between trauma and community conflict
and native title
80
73
Percentage
60
61
40
20
12
0
12
12
6
0
4
Involvement in native title claims
processes is a source of trauma
44
6
4
0
2
4
The systems for managing native title land cause
or exacerbate divisions within community
Strongly agree
Agree
Somewhat agree
Somewhat disagree
Disagree
Strongly disagree
Women in Native Title: Native Title Report 2024
2
Unsure/don’t know