Karri Karrak Aboriginal Corporation has pushed back against the Nyoongar 2050 proposal, warning public commentary on the future of the South West Native Title Settlement must start with an accurate account of the governance structures Noongar people have already built.

In a statement issued this week, the corporation said the Settlement was "deliberately designed to evolve through review, collaboration and increasing Noongar leadership" and that the mechanisms its critics say are missing are operating now.

"The strength of the Settlement lies not in creating new institutions, but in ensuring the ones Noongar people fought so hard to establish continue to grow stronger," Karri Karrak Chair Professor Stephen van Leeuwen said.

The Nyoongar 2050 proposal, led by former Federal Indigenous Australians Minister The Hon. Ken Wyatt AM and Nyoongar businessman Gerry Matera describes itself as "a long-term sovereign wealth and integrity strategy" for Nyoongar Country. Its published materials propose a structured capital fund described as a "sovereign wealth engine", the acquisition of land, enterprises and assets, culturally grounded governance structures

Karri Karrak said it welcomed debate about how the Settlement can deliver stronger outcomes.

"Constructive ideas and healthy debate have an important place in ensuring the Settlement continues to mature and respond to the aspirations of current and future generations," the corporation said.

"However, it is equally important that these discussions accurately reflect the governance, institutions and opportunities that already exist under the Settlement. Noongar people deserve a conversation that begins with an accurate overview of what has already been negotiated, what has already been established and the significant work that is already underway."

The South West Native Title Settlement, negotiated over almost two decades and endorsed by thousands of Noongar people across the six Agreement Groups, is the largest native title settlement in Australian history. It established six Noongar regional corporations, the Noongar Boodja Trust and a framework covering land, heritage, economic participation, community development and investment.

Karri Karrak said the Settlement "is not simply a financial settlement" but "a comprehensive governance framework through which Noongar people collectively exercise decision-making".

The corporation singled out the Noongar Future Fund, which it said proponents of change have framed as an aspiration still to be won.

"The Noongar Future Fund is also not a future concept. It already exists," the statement said, pointing to a dedicated Investment Committee responsible for monitoring performance and protecting capital for future generations.

The Noongar regional corporations receive regular reports on the Noongar Boodja Trust's performance through the Noongar Relationship Committee, and the Settlement provides for transition to a Dedicated Noongar Trustee, placing long-term control of the Trust with Noongar people.

The timing of the corporation's statement carries its own message. On the same day the Nyoongar 2050 forum was held, representatives from every regional corporation were attending the first meeting of the ILUA Review Committee, the body established under the Settlement to drive continuous improvement.

Professor van Leeuwen chairs that committee. Its implementation subcommittees, each chaired by the Noongar Chair of one of the six regional corporations, are progressing work across economic participation, housing, community development and cultural heritage.

"This work reflects the collaborative governance model envisaged by the Settlement and demonstrates that the mechanisms for continuous improvement are already in place," the corporation said.

Karri Karrak acknowledged implementation remains "an ongoing journey" and pointed to its own record of pressing for stronger delivery, including its advocacy on the Noongar Land Estate and cultural heritage reform.

"Our collective responsibility is not to recreate them, but to strengthen them and continue implementing the vision that Noongar people negotiated and endorsed over two decades," the statement said.

The corporation said its responsibility "above all" is to the Noongar community "and to ensuring the Settlement fulfils the promise negotiated on behalf of current and future generations".

National Indigenous Times contacted Nyoongar 2050 for comment.