NOTICE OF A NATIVE TITLE INFORMATION SESSION & AUTHORISATION MEETING BINDAL PEOPLE #2

Native Title Information Session & Authorisation Meeting

Date:    Saturday, 30 November 2024

Time:    10.00AM to 1.00PM (Registration for meeting at 9:00am)

Venue:  James Cook University, Indigenous Education and Research Centre Building 301, 1 James Cook Drive, Douglas QLD 4811

INFORMATION SESSION & AUTHORISATION MEETING WHO MAY ATTEND:

The meeting is open to all members of the amended Bindal People native title claim group as described below.

On 12 August 2023 the Bindal People native title claim group authorised an amendment to include the descendants of the apical ancestor, Jinnie (Jenny) Ross, into the Bindal People native title claim group description.  As a result of authorising that amendment, the Bindal People native title claim group is now comprised of the biological or adopted (in accordance with traditional law and custom) descendants of:

• May Smallwood;
• Maggie Smith (sister of Polly Smith), the mother of Paddy and Tom Hero;
• Polly Smith (sister of Maggie Smith), the mother of Sarah McKenzie;
• Kitty, the mother of Luke Stanley Snr; and
• Jinnie (Jenny) Ross.

The descendants of all of the above ancestors are invited to attend this community/authorisation meeting on 30 November 2024.

WHAT THE INFORMATION SESSION & AUTHORISATION MEETING IS ABOUT

On 12 August 2023, having authorised the amendment to the native title claim group description to include the descendants of Jinnie (Jenny) Ross, the amended Bindal People native title claim group failed to either re-authorise the current Applicant or authorise a new Applicant.

It is a requirement under the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) that when a claim group is amended to include new members, such as what occurred on 12 August 2023 when the descendants of Jinnie (Jenny) Ross were included in the Bindal claim group, the amended claim group must specifically resolve to either re-authorise the current Applicant or authorise a new Applicant to amend the claim and to prosecute the amended claim through to determination.

This community/authorisation meeting being held on 30 November 2024 is being held for that purpose.  Specifically, the amended Bindal People native title claim group will need to consider and decide whether to re-authorise the current Applicant, or to authorise a differently constituted Applicant, to make the amended Bindal People native title determination application and to deal with all matters arising under the Native Title Act (1993) in relation to the amended application in accordance with sections 61 and 251B of the Native Title Act (1993).

If the amended Bindal People native title claim group decides to authorise a different Applicant, the amended Bindal People native title claim group will also need to decide on a process for choosing the members of the different Applicant, and that process will need to be followed so that the different Applicant is properly authorised in accordance with the agreed upon process.

The amended Bindal People native title claim group will have time to discuss the matter amongst themselves, and to ask questions of their lawyers and anthropologist.

Should you require assistance with travel or wish to confirm your attendance for catering purposes, please contact Sarah Von Pein, Legal Administration Officer on Free Call 1800 814 779 or 07 4421 5700 by CLOSE OF BUSINESS Friday, 15 November 2024 for your travel request to be considered by NQLC Management.  Please note any requests after this date will not be considered.