More than 1.4 million hectares of Wanjina-Wunggurr Wilinggin Native Title Country, including important First Nations sites, have been returned to Traditional Owners represented by the Wilinggin Aboriginal Corporation.

Both the Karunjie and Durack River Stations in the Kimberley region contain several culturally and historically significant sites, including conception and birth places, Wanjina dreaming and painting sites.

The Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation purchased the properties 27 years ago, and the transfer of the land to Wilinggin Aboriginal Corporation (WAC) will enable WAC to self-determine the future of the Ngarinyin People on their Country.

The transfer is part of the newly registered Wilinggin Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) and is the first of its kind in terms of land tenure size.

Returning the land to the rightful owners is expected to create employment opportunities for the Indigenous community for future generations, including unlocking pastoral leases, tourism ventures, such as camping grounds at the Karunjie Homestead site, and conservation opportunities.

There will also be opportunities for the WAC-run Nyaliga Ranger program, whose rangers monitor threatened species and support fire management.

WAC chair, Arnold Sahanna, welcomed the completion of the ILUA between Wilinggin and the Cook government.

"We thank the Government for the constructive and innovative way that the ILUA negotiations were carried out," he said.

"We look forward to future opportunities where the State and Wilinggin can build on the achievements of divestment outcomes," said Mr Sahanna.

ILSC chief executive Joe Morrison said this tenure accurately reflected self-determination.

"This is a significant moment in Indigenous history - it is the first time that a land tenure (of this size) is being changed from the WA Government back to mob," he said.

"The ILSC is proud to have worked in partnership with WAC so far, to manage their Country on behalf of the Traditional Owners.

"I look forward to these properties being divested and seeing WAC's economic aspirations come to life," said Mr Morrison.

The official handover of the land will take place in mid-2026, when Traditional Owners, WAC, and the Indigenous community can formally celebrate this milestone.

The Wanjina - Wunggurr (Native Title) Aboriginal Corporation (WWPBC) represents three language groups: Worrora, Ngarinyin and Wunumbal Gaamberra.