Aunty Sally Vea Vea's ancestors were run off the side of a central Queensland mountain and massacred in the surrounding foothills.
Warning: This article contains information that some readers might find distressing.
The elder said more than 300 Darumbal people were killed at the initiation site around the base of Gai-i, near Yeppoon, more than a century ago.
"That was all a part of the Frontier Wars," Aunty Sally said.
Some of the country around the peak formerly known as Mount Wheeler was returned to the Darumbal people 15 years ago.
But an additional 13-hectare parcel remained jointly managed by the Department of Resources and traditional custodians.
"This is what we wanted in the first place," Aunty Sally said.
"We always wanted the massacre site and we didn't get it.
"It was annexed from us in 2007, so today we're actually getting back what the previous government had taken from us."
This week, the Native Title holders celebrated the handback with a ceremony and plaque unveiling.
"It's an emotional day for us," Aunty Sally said.
"We're really happy to get this back and I don't know if things will change in this community, but there are people that are with us.
'This is history'
Uncle Bill Mann welcomed dozens of guests to the event with a smoking ceremony.
"This is history — after working up here since the last handover, 2007, we deserve it," the elder said.
Uncle Bill has cared for land and sea country all his life.
"I'd just like to say congratulations to all the people that were involved," he said.
The traditional custodian hoped the handover would encourage healing and reconciliation, especially for the next generation.
"I trust them to do it and do a good job," he said.
"This will carry on for the next three, four generations longer.
Doing the old people justice
Darumbal teenager Anastasia said learning about her ancestors was a moving experience.
"I actually didn't know anything about the massacres, and now we do," she said.
Jael, 13, said she was proud to pass on knowledge handed down from her grandmother, Aunty Sally.
"She teaches us about the land, the massacres and how the waterfall is special to the women," Jael said.
Darumbal dancer Walali Hatfield, 10, said he was proud to witness the land handover.
"It's really important to everyone, every Darumbal person and every tribe," he said.
Mike Kaiser, a Department of Resources representative, attended the ceremony alongside Keppel MP Brittany Lauga and Livingstone Shire Mayor Andy Ireland.
"We administer the Aboriginal Land Act 1991 and it's under that act that we get the opportunity to do Aboriginal people justice by returning land to its rightful owners," Mr Kaiser said.
"It can be a complicated process.
"We try to go as quickly as we possibly can, because we know that Aboriginal people feel a deep sense of justice when land can get handed over."
Despite the lengthy battle, it is a step forward for exhausted but resilient elders.
"I know we've done right by our old people, who still live there in spirit," Aunty Sally said.
