Nauo Native Title success marks joyful return to country on Eyre Peninsula | ABC Australia

At the end of the frontier settlement wars on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula in the mid-1800s there were just seven Nauo people left alive.

Last week at Coffin Bay about 150 descendants and friends celebrated an historic return to their country, and a formal acknowledgement that they were the first people of the area.

Nauo elder Jody Miller, 55, didn't think he'd live to see the day his people would gain access to their lands.

"The lower Eyre Peninsula is a very significant and cultural place for Nauo people," he said.

"We are the caretakers of this land where we camp, fish, hunt, gather and share our stories that extend across Australia."

He remembers sitting down with his mother and Aunty Marlene Weetra Heights 32 years ago talking about pursuing Native Title.

"It's been a long journey," he said.

The Native Title area includes popular tourism destinations Coffin Bay and Greenly Beach and the Nauo hope to be able to help protect the areas and capitalise on tourism and cultural opportunties.

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