Traditional owners in Western Australia's far north will be handed back a piece of land formerly part of the Durack pastoral empire, in a move that locals say is a significant step in reconciliation.

Key points: A portion of the historic Durack pastoral lease in far-north WA will be handed back to traditional owners of the region, the Miriuwung and Gajerrong people

A portion of the historic Durack pastoral lease in far-north WA will be handed back to traditional owners of the region, the Miriuwung and Gajerrong people A statement of intent to handover management of this land was presented to traditional owners by the WA Minister for Lands Ben Wyatt on Saturday

A statement of intent to handover management of this land was presented to traditional owners by the WA Minister for Lands Ben Wyatt on Saturday The presentation came on the 40th anniversary of the Argyle Homestead Museum — the museum that the property's historical homestead was converted to

Saturday marked the 40th anniversary of the Argyle Homestead Museum, which was relocated piece by piece when the Ord Dam flooded much of the former pastoral lease.

The homestead was moved piece by piece to higher ground following the creation of the Ord Dam. ( ABC Kimberley: Rebecca Nadge )

More than 60 members of the Durack family travelled from around the world for the celebration, which recognised the relationship between the family and the Miriwoong people.

"I think there is a nice historical circle being drawn here," WA Minister for Lands Ben Wyatt said.

"[It is] incredibly significant that today, it's not just a celebration of a great pastoral family, the Durack family, but also the fact that it's such a strong connection to the traditional owners.

"Miriwoong people, who saw so much of their land buried under that inland sea, the Argyle dam, weren't spoken to, weren't consulted — a similar story around the pastoral relationships.

"Now of course MG [Miriwoong and Gajerrong] people and the traditional owners, their future is inherently bound in both."

Mr Wyatt presented a statement of intent to handover management of the land to the traditional owners during the anniversary.

He said the handover dated back to the 2005 Ord Final Agreement.

Miriwoong dancers perform at the Argyle Downs Homestead museum. ( ABC Kimberley: Rebecca Nadge )

A 'full circle'

Miriuwung and Gajerrong Corporation executive chairman, Lawford Benning, said the parcel of land would be instrumental in the corporation's recently announced pastoral venture.

He noted the work undertaken by his elders in reaching the agreement for land management back in 2005, which was the most comprehensive Indigenous Land Use Agreement of its kind.

"I'm really doing nothing other than carrying on the legacy of my ancestors," Mr Benning said.

"I believe wherever they are today underneath that water, they'll probably be in their graves swimming happily to know we've come in to point where we are now.

"Giving us that parcel of land really allows MG now to work directly with any proponents we need to work with, or the cattle company, we can work with anybody we need to work with, other than a middle man."

Mr Benning said the recognition of Miriwoong people during the Argyle Homestead Museum anniversary was a powerful statement in itself.

Most of the Argyle Downs pastoral lease was flooded when the Ord Dam was formed. ( ABC Kimberley: Rebecca Nadge )

A unique relationship

Patrick Durack and his brother Michael drove almost 8,000 head of cattle from south-west Queensland to the Kimberley, arriving in 1882 and forming Argyle Downs and Ivanhoe Station.

The journey was one of the longest of its kind to have ever been attempted.

Since then, the relationship between the Durack family and traditional owners — both good and bad — has been well documented, and the partnership that continues today.

Mr Benning's great-grandmother worked for the Duracks — now, there are Duracks working for the corporation.

Brad Durack, who manages MG Corporation Building and Maintenance, said it was fascinating to see the respect the elders had for the family name.

"I copped a bit of bad flak too sometimes … but really overall the elderly people had such a good relationship with the Duracks," Mr Durack said.

"There is a real sense of connection to the country, the good things that happened as well as the bad.

"Acknowledging the past, but really picking out those positives as well — and I think that's what happening."

The Durack family settled in the Kimberley in 1882. ( ABC Kimberley: Rebecca Nadge )

Extending the family tree

The anniversary also unveiled a newly -researched family tree, which was conservatively kept to 750 names that had a proven Kimberley connection.

The research into the tree, primarily carried out by Perpetua Durack, also uncovered another prolific East Kimberley name — the Skeen family.

South Australia's Ribnga Green says having Aboriginal people included in the Durack family tree is a significant step forward. ( ABC Kimberley: Rebecca Nadge )

Ribnga Green's great-grandfather — a Skeahan, or Skeen — was a cousin of the Duracks who married an Aboriginal woman.

He said acknowledging Aboriginal people in the family tree was an important moment.

"It's a very practical, hands-on example of reconciliation," Mr Green said.

"Sometimes reconciliation can be caught up with all sorts of questionable elements, particularly if it's driven by Government forces.

"It was entirely the family coming together to talk and engage and acknowledge each other.

"It's a narrative that belongs to both sides."