Country, Culture, People, Future

April 2012

Rail industry career opportunities through Pilbara Indigenous Association

Posted: April 30th, 2012

Filed under: , , , ,

Indigenous people will soon have a greater opportunity to work in the rail construction industry through a new joint initiative between the Bloodwood Tree Association and international construction company Laing O’Rourke.

Under the proposed program, which is expected to commence later this month, Bloodwood Tree clients will undertake an initial four-week training program with the Association, before starting a six-week Certificate II in Rail Infrastructure with Laing O’Rourke.
Those involved in the course will learn basic skills to prepare them for employment, and everyone who graduates from the program will then be offered employment opportunities through the company.
The initiative will promote local rather than ‘fly-in, fly-out’ recruitment for companies such as BHP and FMG who work in the Pilbara, and encourage community development.

The Bloodwood Tree Association is a not-for-profit Aboriginal corporation based in South Hedland that seeks to help the Indigenous community in a variety of ways, including employment programs, services for homeless people and substance abuse programs.

For further information on the Bloodwood Tree Association workshops and training programs, please visit their website: http://www.bloodwoodtree.org.au/
Additionally, more information about Laing O’Rourke can be found on their website: http://www.laingorourke.com.au/home
                                    

2012 NAIDOC Perth Awards

Posted: April 26th, 2012

Filed under: , ,

The 2012 NAIDOC Perth Awards are seeking nominations for exceptional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals or organisations that have made a significant contribution to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community of Perth. Nominations can be submitted in any of the following categories:

1. Outstanding Achievement
2. Elder of the Year (Male)
3. Elder of the Year (Female)
4. Sportsperson of the year
5. Tertiary Scholar of the Year
6. Youth of the Year (Male)
7. Youth of the Year (Female)
8. Aboriginal Health Professional of the Year
9. Artist of the Year
10. Business of the Year
11. Non-for-profit Organisation of the Year
12. Carer of the Year
13. Community Person of the Year

Nominations close Sunday 20 May 2012.

The winners will be announced on Thursday 21 June 2012 at a special NAIDOC Perth Awards Ceremony at the Governor’s Ball Room and will be promoted throughout 1-7 July for NAIDOC Week 2012.

For guidelines and nomination forms, please click here.

For for more information about the NAIDOC Perth Awards, contact Gail Beck on  08 9358 7403  (during work hours) or  0411 093 870  (after hours).

For information on previous winners, visit the NAIDOC Perth Awards website.

Agreement focuses on sustainability

Posted: April 24th, 2012

Filed under: , , , , , ,

Ngarlawangga community members, YMAC staff and Rico Resources representatives at the agreement signing



The Ngarlawangga people have announced an agreement with Rico Resources over their Wonmunna project within the Ngarlawangga native title claim.

The agreement focuses on building a relationship between the parties to develop sustainable, long-term business and employment opportunities for the Ngarlawangga community. It is based on shared objectives of employment and contracts for Ngarlawangga people on Rico Resources projects.  

To this end, a skills audit of the Ngarlawangga community is being undertaken to help community members identify and access opportunities for training, employment, and business ventures.

The agreement includes financial compensation to the Ngarlawangga people, and recognises the importance of Aboriginal culture and the Ngarlawangga people’s responsibility to care for their heritage sites. It also provides Rico Resources with all of the native title approvals needed for their Wonmunna Project.

“Rico resources have listened to us and we have listened to them. We have a good relationship with RICO even though we are a small group and they are a small company,” said Ngarlawangga elder Maisey Hyland.

Ngarlawangga elder Dianne Limerick said, “In the short while we have been negotiating with Rico Resources we made a lot of progress and we are happy and pleased that we have signed an agreement together”

Simon Hawkins, Chief Executive Officer of Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation (YMAC), said, “Rico Resources has adopted a relationship-based approach to these negotiations, and this agreement is designed to help the Ngarlawangga people meet their aspirations as a community. The company has shown their commitment to these goals by implementing the skills audit before the agreement was even signed. This mining agreement is about both parties supporting each other for years to come.”

Aboriginal Anzacs Honoured

Posted: April 20th, 2012

Filed under: ,

In the lead-up to Anzac Day, a special service honouring Aboriginal soldiers will be held at the Whim Creek Hotel on Sunday April 22 at 9am.

In particular, it will recognise the contribution of the Lockyer family, commemorating five Aboriginal brothers who fought for their country in World War II.

Watch the video from Tangiora Hinaki to learn more about the story of the Lockyer brothers and the Whim Creek Anzac Service.

Anzac tribute to Aboriginal brothers from Tangiora Hinaki on Vimeo.

Community Grants available through resource companies

Posted: April 18th, 2012

Filed under: , , , , , , , ,

Applications are now open for community grants from BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto’s Dampier Salt.

BHP Billiton’s Community Grants Program provides financial assistance for initiatives that enhance community life in the areas of Indigenous wellbeing, environment, twonship amenity, quality education, health and wellbeing and community involvement.

Applications for BHP’s Community Grants Program close on 1 May. For more information email waironorecommunity@bhpbilliton.com or call 9173 6680 (Port Hedland), 9175 3505 (Newman) or 6224 4243 (Perth)

Rio Tinto’s Dampier Salt is offering financial assistance to short-term community projects in the Carnarvon, Dampier, Karratha and Port Hedland areas that are unique, innovative, address community and education issues, or require infrastructure.

Applications for Dampier Salt’s Community Grants Scheme close on 29 June. For more information visit the Dampier Salt website, or call 9270 9252

Computers available for low income families in the Pilbara

Posted: April 16th, 2012

Filed under: , , , , , , ,

Families in Karratha, Roebourne, Wickham, South Hedland and Port Hedland can now apply to the Smith Family to receive a refurbished home computer, a four-week basic computer training course, and a year of internet access, all for free.

The Smith Family’s Technology Packs initiative, in partnership with Royalties for Regions and BHP Billiton, was designed to provide families with a computer connected to the internet at home at an affordable cost. To be eligible, families must have school aged children, have proof of low income status (health care or pension concession card), and not already own a home computer.

The Smith Family is a children’s charity that helps disadvantaged children. Click here to learn more about the Smith Family.

The “Tech Pack Project” aims to improve community digital literacy, equipping children and their families who may otherwise not be able to afford computers, with the technological skills that are now prerequisites for participation in lifelong learning and social inclusion.

According to the Smith Family, research shows that access to ICT (information, communication and technology) can increase study and employment opportunities for parents and young people, improve the capacity of parents to support children at school, increase the engagement of children at school, and improve individual’s self-esteem and overall wellbeing.

To find out more about the Tech Packs Project, or to register for a computer, contact Daphne Trevurza or Carol Warren (Karratha) on 9144 1854 or tsfkarratha@thesmithfamily.com.au,  or Nia Hadenfeldt  (Hedland) on 9172 2408 or tsfhedland@thesmithfamily.com.au

Marnti Warajanga exhibition touring the Pilbara

Posted: April 12th, 2012

Filed under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Nyangumarta boys taking their first steps on country as recognised native title holders, 11 June 2009. Photograph by Tobias Titz

Marnti Warajanga- a Walk Together is an exhibition of photographs and stories that will be touring Pilbara communities this May and June. Showcasing the photographs of Tobias Titz, including many images of the Nyangumarta people’s native title determination in 2009, the exhibition has been on display at the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House in Canberra.

As the project tours the Pilbara it will also include photography workshops and community celebrations along with a redeveloped version of the exhibition.  The Marnti Warajanga Pilbara tour dates for exhibitions and workshops are:

  • 3-4 May, Hedland Senior High School
  • 7-8 May, South Hedland Primary School
  • 9-10 May, Wangka Maya Pilbara Aboriginal Language Centre (community BBQ on 9 May)
  • 14-16 May, Strelley Remote Community School (community BBQ on 19 May)
  • 21-24 May, Yandeyarra Remote Community School (community BBQ on 23 May)
  • 28-29 May, Newman Senior High School
  • 30 May, South Newman Primary School
  • 31 May, Newman Primary School (community BBQ on 31 May)
  • 5-7 June, Jigalong Remote Community School (community BBQ on 7 June)

Everyone is welcome to participate in the different events by trying some yandying, taking the children’s trail or having their portrait taken at the photographic workshop.

The exhibition will also be on display in Perth before heading north, from 13-30 April in Central Park.

For more information and to view some of the photographs visit the Marnti Warajanga page at the Museum of Australian Democracy’s website.

The search is on for the next Pilbara Girl

Posted: April 10th, 2012

Filed under: , , , , ,

The Pilbara Girl workshops and competition are back again for 2012 and the search is now on for the next group of contestants.

Indigenous women aged 16-25 from Port Hedland, Roebourne, Karratha and surrounding communities are encouraged to enter. The Pilbara Girl program, now in its third year, is based on the successful Kimberley Girl program that has been running since 2004.

The contestants participate in a series of workshops in Port Hedland, Karratha and Roebourne promoting leadership skills and self confidence. The workshops are followed by pageants that give the girls new skills and opportunities and promote Indigenous culture within the wider community.

For more information and to download an entry form visit Goolarri Media’s website.

Official Launch of the Wadjarri Language Dictionary

Posted: April 5th, 2012

Filed under: , , , , ,

Last week the Wadjarri People launched a dictionary to share and celebrate one of the world’s oldest living languages.
The Wadjarri Language Dictionary, which has taken over 25 years to compile, was launched on Wadjarri country at the Murchison Shire Settlement. Elders, community members, members of parliament, community groups, schools and government organisations attended the event. The names of all the people who contributed to the 2500-word dictionary were read out, and a minutes silence was observed for the contributing elders who have passed away.
“This book has been 25 years in the making, with a lot of dedicated work from our elders, some still alive and many who have passed on. Language is the carrier of our culture and our vision is to hear it spoken by our children and grandchildren in the future as an everyday way of life. This work is the culmination of effort from so many.”
Language is an important part of culture and identity, but many Indigenous languages have been lost or are in danger of being forgotten. This dictionary will help keep Wadjarri culture and language strong for generations to come.
The production of the dictionary was a joint partnership between the Yamaji Language Centre and the Bundiyarra Irra Wangga Language Program.

To purchase copies of the Wadjarri Dictionary please contact:
Bundiyarra Irra Wangga Language Program on +61 (08) 99207900
or Leonie Boddington on +61 (08) 99207919

Country is our mother, the provider and keeper of cultural belongings. Country and Culture go together. You can’t have one without the other.

Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners and custodians throughout Western Australia, and on whose Country we work. We acknowledge and respect their deep connection to their lands and waterways.

We honour and pay respect to Elders, and to their ancestors who survived and cared for Country.

Our offices are located on Whadjuk Country, Southern Yamatji Country, Yinggarda Country, Kariyarra Country, and Yawuru Country. We recognise the continuing culture, traditions, stories and living cultures on these lands and commit to building a brighter future together.

Disclaimer: Caution: Please be advised that this website may contain images, voices and names of deceased people.

This will close in 15 seconds