Country, Culture, People, Future

December 2012

YMAC Christmas Shutdown and Heritage Surveys

Posted: December 20th, 2012

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For many Aboriginal Communities in the Midwest and Pilbara, December to January is a special time of year to observe cultural obligations and practices.
Out of respect for these traditions, YMAC will not be conducting any heritage surveys between Monday 17 December 2012 and Friday 1 February 2013.
Any heritage survey requests received after 17 December will be scheduled to commence after 1 February.
Thank you for your understanding.
All YMAC offices in Perth, Geraldton, Karratha, South Hedland and Tom Price will be closed during the festive season from Thursday 20th December 2012, re-opening on Wednesday 2 January 2013.
YMAC’s Board of Directors, Pilbara and Yamatji Regional Committees, Management and Staff would like to wish you a happy and safe festive season.

Ngarlawangga People and Montezuma Sign Agreement South of Newman

Posted: December 20th, 2012

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The Ngarlawangga native title group today announced the signing of an agreement with Montezuma Mining Company Ltd (Montezuma) for the Butcherbird manganese project over 23,000 hectares of their traditional country, south of Newman, as well as consents to future mining in the area.

The agreement has seen Traditional Owners and Montezuma develop a framework for how they will continue working with each other, including assisting Ngarlawangga people into employment, agreed processes and timeframes by which heritage clearances will take place and support for tendering for new contracts for community businesses.

The signing includes an agreed process should the mining company apply for permission to disturb heritage sites, which provides both parties with a guaranteed consultation process under the Aboriginal Heritage Act (WA).

Ngarlawangga Traditional Owner Dianne Limerick said, “The discussions with Montezuma went well – we’re now hoping for jobs and business contracts to develop from this agreement.”
Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation (YMAC) CEO Simon Hawkins said, “Montezuma listened and responded to the community’s needs throughout the process. In turn, the Ngarlawangga people were able to reach agreement quickly, giving the company certainty. Both parties are particularly focused on supporting new and existing Ngarlawangga contracting companies to benefit from this project, including incentives for community businesses”.
Click here to read the full media release.

41,000 year-old Pilbara Aboriginal Site to be Protected

Posted: December 12th, 2012

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Photo Courtesy of Fortescue Metals Group
Nyiyaparli Traditional Owners from the Pilbara region of Western Australia, today announced the oldest occupation dates ever found in the region. Working with archaeologists from the heritage company Archae-aus, the Nyiyaparli Heritage Sub-Committee and Karlka Nyiyaparli Aboriginal Corporation have revealed that charcoals found while excavating a rock shelter are more than 41,000 years old, according to carbon-dating analysis.
Nyiyaparli elder and Heritage Sub-Committee member David Stock said, “We feel proud that this evidence of our ancestors has been found and are happy it will be protected. This kind of work shows Australians that our heritage is very important and that it can be protected”.
Nyiyaparli elder and Heritage Sub-Committee member Gordon Yuline said “We have to keep the caves to show the young people how the old people used to live. It is very important we protect these places and we are able to go there and teach the young ones.”
The shelter site would be protected by a buffer zone and that Nyiyaparli Traditional Owners have requested further research be carried out at the important site.

Click here to read the full media release.

New Opportunities for Indigenous Students to Become Lawyers

Posted: December 5th, 2012

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The University of Western Australia is now offering a one-year course to mature age Aboriginal students which will provide them with direct entry into a new post-graduate law degree at UWA.

Starting in 2013, the Advanced Diploma in Indigenous Legal Studies has been devised by UWA’s School of Indigenous Studies and the Faculty of Law to ensure that Indigenous people have equality of opportunity to succeed in mainstream law and engage with the legal isssues affecting Aboriginal people.

The Diploma provides students with both the theoretical and practical training needed to pursue a legal career in Australia, with the chance to obtain scholarships and financial assistance from some of Western Australia’s most prestigious law firms and government departments.

For eligibility and requirements, please visit the UWA website, or contact Mel Thomas at mel.thomas@uwa.edu.au for further information.

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.

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