The impact of a federal governance probe on one of the seven organisations covered by Australia's biggest Native Title settlement will be tested on Saturday at its highly-anticipated Annual General Meeting at Northam Town Hall.

The federal Indigenous corporate watchdog recently met with the chairs and directors of the seven organisations who negotiated the historic $1.3 billion Noongar Settlement with the Western Australian government in 2021.

The Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC) launched a probe of the seven organisations in relation to alleged non-compliance with the Commonwealth's CATSI Act 2006, which regulates registration and governance of First Nations corporations, ensuring they are owned and controlled by Indigenous people. A notice sent by former ORIC chair Tricia Stroud requested confirmation a chair and director from each Aboriginal corporations related to the Noongar Settlement - Ballardong, Gnaala Karla Booja, Karri Karrak, Wagyl Kaip Southern Noongar, Whadjuk and Yued and the South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council - would attend the meeting held last month.

The meeting between ORIC and the Noongar seven has coincided with recent internal governance concerns at Ballardong Aboriginal Corporation, one of the seven groups.

ORIC has issued notices to the seven regional WA organisations in October regarding concerns about non-compliance with their respective rule books, in relation to the Noongar Settlement.

Ballardong Aboriginal Corporation was established in 2021 following partial distributions of the $1.3b settlement.

Mat Wilson has been the only serving CEO in that time and the corporation's leadership is facing pressure from members over governance.

Two outgoing Ballardong directors were immediately re-elected in October following their two-year terms expiring, despite ORIC earlier denying the corporation's request to extend the maximum two-year term for its directors, as outlined in the BAC rule book.

Members have questioned BAC's electoral processes and raised concerns the corporation has lost touch with its cultural roots.

Some senior Ballardong people - such as Mr Kickett and his 81-year-old mother - were removed from BAC's membership roll, allegedly without proper authority.

"We were promised an organisation that reflects our values, our laws, our ways," said Mr Kickett.

Mr Kickett, who served on BAC's Cultural Awareness Committee, requested that National Indigenous Times did not publish his first name.

BAC's responsibilities under the South West Native Title Settlement are extensive.

Through its role in the Noongar Boodja Trust framework, it is tasked with supporting long-term social, cultural, and economic development for Ballardong people, including protecting sacred sites, supporting cultural education, and ensuring land use reflects Traditional law and custom.

Ballardong is one of six Noongar language groups recognised under Australia's most comprehensive Native Title agreement, with BAC - as designated representative body for its people - expected to manage regional responsibilities under the Settlement, including cultural heritage, economic development, and land-based initiatives, through the Noongar Boodja Trust.

Ballardong knowledge systems and community priorities should guide how BAC's significant assets and opportunities are managed.

Mr Kickett's views were similar to those other members and former directors, who asked to not be named, shared with National Indigenous Times.

"This is not just about policy; it's about identity, about who gets to speak for Country," said another Elder backing calls for the current board to be dismissed at the AGM.

Another recent election - of new members to BAC's Cultural Awareness Committee - was extended after complaints the digital process excluded many senior Ballardong members and Elders.

"The election process should bring our people together, not leave them out," Mr Kickett said.

"Cultural leadership is not a checkbox on a form," said one Ballardong woman.

"This isn't about personalities," said Mr Kickett. "It's about restoring cultural governance so the Ballardong community, and our future generations, can thrive under our own law and our own leadership."

A BAC spokesperson told National Indigenous Times claims regarding Mr Wilson's alleged non-connection to the Ballardong people were not substantiated.

"Mat Wilson's membership of Ballardong Aboriginal Corporation is evidence of his being a Ballardong Noongar man," a BAC spokeswoman said.

"Eligibility for membership of the corporation is determined based on a connection to one of the Apical Ancestors listed in the ILUA, which you can also find on our website.

"This list has also been affirmed by the Federal Court."

BAC said Mr Wilson's Ballardong connection was verified by SWALSC's anthropologist using state-approved research.

"Mat is also a member of SWALSC and other Noongar regional corporations, meaning that his Noongar connections have been verified on multiple occasions," they said.

In regards to the BAC election results, a BAC spokesperson told National Indigenous Times: "As discussed, four new member-elected directors were appointed in October 2024 following a ballot of BAC members. The four elected directors began their terms at the end of the 2024 AGM, as per the Ballardong rule book."

The spokesperson provided a link to the announcement of the election results on the BAC website, as well as a link to the Ballardong Aboriginal Corporation rulebook.

*This report was updated on 22 November to include the BAC spokesperson's comment regarding the election of directors.