With the Quandamooka people's native title recognised in a consent determination by the federal court, a decades long battle for an island known to traditional owners as Minjerribah has ended.
But it's just the start of the healing process for the traditional owners.
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For the elders its the the end of along struggle, and they remember those who have passed away, like poet and activist Kath Walker.
"It's spontaneous joy mixed with sadness. a lot of the people, i'm still shaken up a bit", Ngugi elder Dr Bob Anderson says.
Known as Minjerribah to the traditional owners, it's an island paradise on the doorstep of Brisbane.
And as part of the settlement, the Quandamooka have secured joint management of national parks, thousands of hectares of freehold, while they'll receive royalties from sand mining on the island.
But not everyone's happy, especially considering the Queensland government will allow the mining to continue.
"From the context of white history it is definitely significant', native title holder Dale Ruska says.
"From the context of the Aboriginal struggle it could be perceived as a very sad day."
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh hopes this determination will set the benchmark for other South East Queensland claims.
"I think what this demonstrates is when people with good will and good hearts sit down and are determined to compromise to get a consent determination it can happen."
The hope is now that native title will lead to jobs, housing and heal some of the wounds created by the years it's taken to reach this day.
