Country, Culture, People, Future

May 2013

Happy Reconciliation Week from YMAC

Posted: May 31st, 2013

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YMAC would like to wish everyone a very happy Reconciliation Week, an event which celebrates the rich culture and history of the First Australians.

For more information on National Reconciliation Week, please visit http://www.reconciliation.org.au/home

 

YMAC welcomes newly elected Yamatji Chairperson: Mr Victor Mourambine

Posted: May 30th, 2013

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YMAC would like to welcome Mr Victor Mourambine, who has recently been elected as the new Yamatji Chairperson to our Board of Directors.

Victor is a Wajarri man from Northampton who has very deep ties to the region, and is grateful for the opportunities he has had to help his people.

He has a long history of working with the Aboriginal community, on the Commission of Elders at state and regional level, and through the Department of Justice helping prisoners. His work with Aboriginal prisoners earned him the Order of Australia.

Victor’s work in native title is motivated by a desire to gain recognition for traditional owners. He wants to carry on the fight of elders who have passed before they were able to gain legal recognition of their country and culture.

To learn more about Victor’s life and experiences of native title in Australia, please see the video below.

Pieces of Gutharraguda exhibition opens in Carnarvon this Friday evening

Posted: May 28th, 2013

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After the success of Jimmy Poland’s Pieces of Gutharraguda exhibition opening in Shark Bay in May, the exhibition will now travel to Carnarvon, where it opens at the Gwoonwardu Mia Cultural Centre this Friday, 31 May, from 5:30 to 7:30pm.

At 86 years old, respected Malgana elder and local Denham community icon, Jimmy Poland, has been carving pearl shell, emu eggs and boab nuts for many years – a skill that was passed down from his father – and he tells the story of his life in Shark Bay through the Pieces of Gutharraguda exhibition.

The exhibition will run from 31 May to 20 June 2013.

For details about the exhibition opening, please see flyer below.

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2013 Good Heart Art Exhibition set to open in Perth

Posted: May 24th, 2013

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The 2013 Good Heart Art Exhibition will soon open in Perth after a spectacular preview of the exhibition finishes up in Geraldton today.

Almost 200 pieces from over 50 new and established mid-west artists will be showcased in Perth from 10-14 June, and all artwork will be for sale with proceeds going to the artists.

This will be the Good Heart Art’s sixth exhibition, sponsored by Oakajee Port and Rail.

The exhibition will run from Monday 10 June – Friday 14 June 2013,  10am to 4pm daily, in the foyer of the QV1 Building, 250 St Georges Terrace, Perth.

For more information, contact Nan Rickards on 0417 184 290 or visit the the Good Heart website.

Badimia People sign Native Title Agreement with Top Iron

Posted: May 23rd, 2013

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L-R: Greg Knox (Top Iron), Nick Revell (Top Iron), Badimia Traditional Owner Frank Walsh Jnr., Bruce Richardson (Top Iron), Kevin Stemp (Top Iron), with YMAC claim lawyer Paul Avina.

The Badimia People, Traditional Owners of land in the Midwest region of Western Australia, are pleased to announce they have entered into an agreement with Top Iron Pty Ltd. The agreement paves the way for the iron ore miners to develop their Greater Mummaloo Project in Badimia country, near the existing Extension Hill project.

The Badimia people will benefit from preferential contracting opportunities and employment targets on the project, as well as financial compensation linked to the project’s production. The company has also agreed to hand over all housing units and light vehicles to the Badimia people at the end of the project, further enhancing opportunities for Badimia businesses.

The agreement also includes several provisions to protect and promote Badimia culture and heritage, including heritage survey protocols, Badimia cultural awareness workshops for Top Iron employees, and avoidance of certain areas that are important to Badimia cultural heritage.

Badimia working group member Frank Walsh Jnr. said of the agreement, ‘Badimia people have once again shown that they can reach agreements like this with mining companies in our region and that we are quite supportive of those companies who totally respect and understand our Badimia people and culture.

‘At the end of the day it is about empowering our people and communities. The financial aspects of these agreements are important, but the economic and employment opportunities, as well as heritage protections that arise out of these agreements, are also very significant’.

Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation (YMAC) CEO Simon Hawkins said, ‘The agreement was reached swiftly, after Top Iron made efforts to develop a positive relationship with the Badimia people before the formal negotiations began.

‘The company made an effort to understand the community’s aspirations and concerns, so the negotiations went very smoothly and only took two formal meetings. This has laid the foundations for a good relationship between both parties for the future of the agreement’.

YMAC’s Co-Chair Speaks at International Mining Conference

Posted: May 21st, 2013

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YMAC would like to congratulate our Co-Chairperson, Mrs Doris Eaton, who attended the International Mining for Development Conference yesterday in Sydney.

Mrs Eaton was invited to speak on a panel alongside Ms Katherine Heller from the World Bank, Dr Helen Szoke Chief Executive of Oxfam Australia, and Ms Ume Wainetti, Program Coordinator of the Family and Sexual Violence Action Committee in Papua New Guinea.

Discussion focused on the challenges and opportunities that arise from mining for developing communities across the world, with particular emphasis on how women from these communities can access and make use of mining benefits.

Delegates at the Conference came from over 60 nations.

Please click here to listen to Mrs Eaton’s interview with SBS Radio following the Conference.

For more information, visit the International Mining for Development Centre website.

NAIDOC Week 2013 starts early in Perth with Marnda Week

Posted: May 20th, 2013

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This year’s NAIDOC Week celebrations are starting early in Perth with ‘Marnda Week’, a three-day celebration of Australian Aboriginal culture organised by the West Australian Student Aboriginal Corporation (WASAC).

Marnda kicks off tomorrow at the University of Western Australia, and will be comprised of three main events throughout the week: 
– a cultural showcase on the UWA Oak Lawn on Tuesday 21st May from 12-2pm
– a footy match on UWA’s James Oval on Wednesday 22nd May from 12-2pm
– an art exhibition this Friday evening at YMCA Leederville
All activities and events are free, and all members of the community are encouraged to attend. 
To get involved, or for more information including a run down of activities taking place on each day, please visit the Marnda facebook group.

Indigenous Storybook, Midwest and Pilbara edition

Posted: May 17th, 2013

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The Public Health Advocacy Institute of WA is launching the third edition of their Indigenous Storybook at a celebration in Geraldton next week. The book showcases the achievements of Indigenous people who have contributed to health, social, economic and environmental outcomes for their communities.

The storybook includes 13 stories from the Mid-west and Pilbara regions, told by the people involved. They cover projects such as health and environmental issues, community gardens and employment, leadership and personal journeys.

The stories highlight issues that affect Indigenous communities across the Mid-West and Pilbara regions such tobacco awareness, substance abuse, crime prevention, sustaining culture and language and youth engagement.

For more information, and to download the previous editions, visit PHAIWA’s website or email phaiwa@curtin.edu.au.

New members sought for WA heritage body

Posted: May 14th, 2013

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The Aboriginal Cultural Materials Committee (ACMC) is a body set up by the WA Aboriginal Heritage Act to advise the Minister for Indigenous Affairs on heritage matters. It makes many important decisions and recommendations that affect Aboriginal heritage in WA.
 
The ACMC is currently seeking expressions of interest for new members. They are looking for people with knowledge and experience in Aboriginal heritage, including experts in areas of anthropology, archaeology, ethnography and history. Aboriginal applicants are strongly encouraged.
 
For more information visit DIA’s website here or contact Andrea Barton, A/Executive Officer ACMC to request an application pack on 1300 651 077 during business hours.

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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