Wujal Wujal is expecting more than 600 people to gather on Wednesday as Cape York's largest Traditional Owner group celebrates recognition of 217,884 hectares of country - and a future built by generations of persistence.

Eastern Kuku Yalanji people will celebrate the recognition of their native title rights and interests across approximately 217,884 hectares of country along the south-east of Cape York Peninsula.

The determination area extends from the Annan River in the north to the Daintree River in the south, east of the Great Dividing Range. It takes in Black Mountain, Wujal Wujal, Cape Tribulation, Thornton Beach and Cow Bay, along with parts of the Annan, Bloomfield, Daintree, East Normanby, West Normanby and Granite Normanby river systems.

It includes areas within Annan River (Yuku Baja-Muliku) National Park, Daintree National Park (CYPAL), Kalkajaka National Park (CYPAL), Ngalba Bulal National Park (CYPAL) and Mount Windsor National Park.

At the meeting point of the Wet Tropics and Great Barrier Reef World Heritage areas, the determination covers country where internationally recognised rainforest and reef values form part of the living cultural landscape of Eastern Kuku Yalanji people.

The area will recognise a mix of exclusive and non-exclusive native title rights and interests, with exclusive native title applying across approximately 35 per cent of the area.

It is the 33rd determination under the Cape York United #1 Claim - a major regional effort to resolve native title across Cape York Peninsula.

For Eastern Kuku Yalanji people, Wednesday, August 12 marks the realisation of their Elders' vision and persistence, that their people would have their rights recognised, protect their culture and country, build strong institutions, and have a genuine say in decisions about their future.

Cape York Land Council Acting CEO Richie Ah Mat said the day belonged to the people who began the work decades ago.

"The Elders wanted the generations coming behind them to have their rights recognised, to be back on country, and to have the opportunity to build an economic future in their place," Mr Ah Mat said.

Words that shaped a vision

In 1978, Lutheran Church pastors serving on a committee established to investigate the concerns of the people of Hope Vale and Wujal Wujal recorded what they heard from Bama.

Their report stated: "The Bama [local Aboriginal people] are deeply hurt (the degree can hardly be described) that across the years they have been 'evicted' from their traditional lands by the encroachment of white settlers. From their traditional hunting grounds they were gradually herded into camps along or near the Bloomfield River. Finally they have been constricted within the confines of a 250 acre reserve at Wujal Wujal."

The Pastors recorded the depth of people's feelings in words that still resonate: "We are like animals in a wild cage," and that great Eastern Kuku Yalanji Elder Billy Mapoon (dec) gave the most enduring expression of that predicament: "We are like a crane standing on one leg on a little island."

It was the reality of a people with an immense homeland, but only a tiny fraction of it in their own hands.

Eastern Kuku Yalanji people lodged their first native title claim through the Cape York Land Council in December 1994, soon after the Mabo decision created a legal pathway for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to seek recognition of native title.

All together, all the way

The determination reflects the unity of Eastern Kuku Yalanji people behind the native title journey.

Wujal Wujal land rights pioneer Adelaide Baird was present at Lockhart River in 1990 when the Cape York Land Council was established. She supported the vision for Cape York people to lead the fight for their own land and futures.

Adelaide, in her 30s at the time, brought that message back to her people and rallied families behind the then 25-year-old Noel Pearson and the Cape York Land Council. Wujal's Yalanji family leaders came together to take forward that first claim and ongoing campaigns for rights. They stayed the distance through the decades of meetings, research, evidence gathering and legal work.

The largest native title group in Cape York

The Eastern Kuku Yalanji are the largest native title group in Cape York, with 108 apical ancestors and descendants extending across a large and growing number of families.

Eastern Kuku Yalanji Elder William 'Billy' Harrigan said the determination completed work begun by earlier generations.

"Our grandparents and parents began this and now we are finishing it. We are so proud of this," Mr Harrigan said. "The wisdom of our Elders who have passed will be carried on forever."

Elder Francis Walker said the determination honoured the hard work of the people while opening a new chapter. "Native Title means the hard labour of our people and our journey throughout is finally complete."

'Country and culture for our children'

The determination comes after a long history of disruption to Yalanji life and country. As gold discoveries and colonial expansion drove mining, timber, cattle and agricultural development into the region from the 1870s, Bama were not bystanders. Yalanji people helped build and sustain these industries through their skill, knowledge, hard work and deep understanding of country.

Eastern Kuku Yalanji Elder Carol Pierce said native title would strengthen the connection between young people, culture and bubu.

"Native Title means that our people can go back on country, live on country and continue to teach our younger generations how important our country and culture are," Ms Pierce said.

Elder Kathleen Walker said the determination was for everyone in the community, those who had gone before and those still to come.

"I remember the people before me and the people who come after me," Ms Walker said.

"This is for everyone and so that our stories are never forgotten."

Karen Shuan said the recognition was an emotional milestone and a practical opportunity for the next generation.

"It means everything to me. It's been a long journey for our people to get to now," Ms Shuan said.

"We will stay connected to our bubu forever and now we can have more job opportunities to keep looking after our land. This will help our future generations too."

For Pamela Salt, the determination provides legal recognition of an enduring truth.

"It identifies us, in white man law, that this is our bubu and it always has been," Ms Salt said.

A future in good hands

Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC, the prescribed body corporate for the Eastern Kuku Yalanji people's 2007 native title determination, has been nominated to carry the responsibilities of the new determination.

Traditional Owners said on Wednesday that Jabalbina has already demonstrated the capacity, skill and ambition needed to turn native title recognition into practical outcomes for its people, and that the corporation is advancing work in caring for country, protecting culture, creating employment, developing young leaders and planning for the future of Eastern Kuku Yalanji country.

Its recent recognition as Tropical North Queensland Small Employer of the Year was a significant acknowledgement of the talent, professionalism and commitment within the organisation.

Jabalbina ranger Michael Yeatman said: "Native Title means safeguarding our bubu and culture for the younger generation."

"It acknowledges the efforts of our old people and gives our young people a future," he said.

CYLC Chair, Clara Day, said the determination marked not an end, but the beginning of a new chapter.

"Jabalbina is achieving great things already. With its people, knowledge and big plans for the future, Eastern Kuku Yalanji country is in good hands."

The determination was made with the support of NIAA and by consent of the State of Queensland, Cook Shire Council, Douglas Shire Council, Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council, Ergon Energy Corporation Ltd, Telstra Corporation Ltd, Amplitel Pty Ltd, RTA Weipa Pty Ltd, Graham Edward Elmes, Gavin Dear and Kim Kerwin.