Two people in a dark gallery looking at colourful largescale painting.
Conversations at Boola Bardip
2025 Talks Archive

Art as Evidence: The Legacy of the Spinifex People court decision

The Spinifex People's Native Title Determination in 2000 was a landmark moment in Aboriginal land rights.

 
Join us for a conversation with leading barrister and former President of the National Native Title Tribunal, Raelene Webb KC, inside the Spinifex People: Art and stories from Pila Nguru exhibition as we explore the transformative legal landscape and cultural significance of this historic decision.
 
Following the 1992 Mabo case ruling, the Spinifex People began their pursuit of Native Title recognition. Traditional owners from the Spinifex area returned to Country to document birthplaces and record Tjukurpa (dreaming stories). Spinifex painting emerged as part of this process, born from a need to present evidence in support of their claim.
 
By 1998, a Framework Agreement was signed by then WA premier Richard Court. To mark their successful claim, the Spinifex People produced two canvasses mapping Country, which were then later included in the preamble of the final land agreement with the Western Australian Government.
 

Meet the speaker

Raelene Webb KC has a national practice specialising in appellate advocacy, native title, mining law, administrative and constitutional law as well as taxation law.

After more than 20 years as a barrister Raelene was appointed as President of the National Native Title Tribunal from 2013-2018. Prior to her appointment Raelene was recognised as one of the leading native title silks in Australia. She has appeared in the High Court in many landmark constitutional and land rights cases and is one of few women to regularly appear to make oral arguments before the High Court.

Raelene is an experienced mediator with national accreditation. She is also a skilled facilitator with many years of experience working with groups around Australia, focusing on collaborative techniques to assist groups in achieving their goals.

With a life-long passion for education, Raelene has taught in advocacy training courses and provided legal training over many years. She has given guest lectures at Australian and Canadian universities.

Raelene is a fellow of the Australian Academy of Law. She was awarded the Law Council of Australia President’s Medal in 2014, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the legal profession in Australia. 

Event Partner

This talk is co-presented by Curtin Law School and WA Museum Boola Bardip.

Curtin Spinifex

 

Thursday 10 April 2025

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