2013

Native Title win for Banjima People after 15 year wait

Posted: August 29th, 2013

Filed under: Banjima, Federal Court, Native Title Determination, Pilbara

Banjima elder Alec Tucker at the Federal Court in Perth

The Banjima People of the Central Pilbara are celebrating the end of a 15-year native title claim following yesterday’s Federal Court decision to recognise their cultural rights to around 10,200 square kms of traditional lands.

Alec Tucker, Banjima Elder said, “This is a joyful day for us. We’ve been looking forward to this for a long time. We’ve been waiting for so long. We know its Banjima country, it’s my grandfather’s country, my father’s country –  I think the old people would be happy about today.”

A formal recognition ceremony and celebrations will be held on Banjima Country at a future date.

Click here to read the media release, or check out the photo gallery.

Port Hedland’s Aboriginal Consultation Forum 2013

Posted: August 21st, 2013

Filed under: Aboriginal Consultation Forum, South Hedland, Town of Port Hedland

The Town of Port Hedland will be holding its next Aboriginal Consultation Forum on Monday, September 9 at Lotteries House from 9am-1pm.

The forum has been set up as a way for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal community members, council officers and local businesses to make connections and discuss issues important to them. The topic for this forum is “Networking and Information Sharing”.

The discussions will be shaped around suggestions from attendees on the day.  Please pass on this invite to anyone you feel would be interested in the discussions. All members of the Aboriginal community are welcome.

If you would like to attend,  please RSVP  to this email address for catering purposes: eacd@porthedland.wa.gov.au.

Opportunity to tell your stories

Posted: August 16th, 2013

Filed under: Film and Television Institute (FTI), Indigenous Community Stories, Ngarda Civil and Mining, Rio Tinto, ScreenWest

The Film & Television Institute (FTI) in partnership with ScreenWest, Rio Tinto, Leighton and Ngarda Civil & Mining is calling for applications from Indigenous communities, families and individuals who are interested in recording, preserving and archiving the stories, accomplishments and reflections of their community members.

Indigenous Community Stories is an initiative, which is aiming to film 100 Western Australian Indigenous stories and digitally archive them for future generations to view over the next 100 years and beyond. FTI is keen to hear from community coordinators or representatives who want to have their community’s stories recorded.

To find out more and to get your application, visit the FTI website. Applications are due on 6 September.

Toby Smirke filmed by FTI on Jurruru country

Earlier this year, YMAC participated in this initiative in three different communities. Check out some of the photos here, or read more below:

 Pilbara Traditional Owners record stories for future generations

Yamatji stories preserved for future generations

Spread the Word about constitutional recognition

Posted: August 12th, 2013

Filed under: ANTaR, Constitutional recognition, Recognise, Spread the word

“Spread the Word” is a campaign run by ANTaR (Australia for Native Title and Reconciliation) to raise awareness about the constitutional recognition of Australia’s First Peoples.

ANTaR believes that constitutional recognition and Close the Gap are linked because we won’t be able to close the gaps in education and health unless we also close the gaps in respect and understanding. They believe that constitutional recognition can have a positive effect on the well being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Click here to find out more about the Spread the Word campaign, or about constitutional recognition.

If you would like to join or start an activist group on constitutional recognition, you can send your request to campaigns@antar.org.au.

Murchison Astrofest 2013

Posted: August 9th, 2013

Filed under: CSIRO, Murchison Astrofest, Murchison Shire

Stargazing and Yamatji culture are coming together at Murchison Settlement for the 2013 Murchison Astrofest. CSIRO and the Shire of Murchison are bringing together science and traditional culture in a day and night of talks, films, bush tucker, music, camping, and of course, stargazing.

Bookings are essential, so make sure to complete your registration form and send it to Priscilla.clayton@csiro.au.

To find out more about the event, visit the Astrofest website here or contact (08) 9923 7755.

Grants for Geraldton community groups

Posted: August 5th, 2013

Filed under: City of Greater Geraldton's Community Grants Program, community grants, Geraldton

The next round of Community Grants from the City of Greater Geraldton is now open. The aim of these grants is to provide assistance to local community groups and organisations that make positive contributions to the quality of life in the Greater Geraldton region. Community groups that need funding for programs or equipment are encouraged to apply.

The closing date for applications in 22 August 2013. For more information visit www.cgg.wa.gov.au/residents/grants or call 9956 6993.

Free tools for your group’s governance

Posted: July 21st, 2013

Filed under: Australian Indigenous Governance Institute, Governance, Indigenous Governance Toolkit, Reconciliation Australia

Reconciliation Australia is now offering a free online Indigenous Governance Toolkit.

The Indigenous Governance Toolkit is an online resource developed for Indigenous nations, communities, individuals and organisations searching for information to build their governance. It covers all the basics – your rules, values, culture, membership, leadership, and decision making – and has many examples of ideas that work from other groups, tools to help you get started, and useful guidance to sustain your efforts. You can use the toolkit in many different ways, depending on your circumstances and needs.

Click here to access the free document.

Nominate a mate for the 2013 WA Regional Achievement and Community Awards

Posted: July 11th, 2013

Filed under: Pilbara, Regional Achievement and Community Awards

WA’s Regional Achievement and Community Awards recognise the individuals, groups and businesses from the Pilbara region who have made a difference in their communities.

Anyone can nominate or be nominated for one of the 10 awards covering a broad spectrum of community contribution. You can click here for more details regarding nominations.

Award winners will receive a $2000 Smart Access Account from the Commonwealth Bank.

Nominations close on July 23.

Entry forms are available through West Regional Newspapers, Commonwealth Bank branches or online.

Celebrate NAIDOC week!

Posted: July 8th, 2013

Filed under: Aboriginal Art, Bundiyarra, Geraldton, Indigenous Arts, Indigenous Community Stories, Karratha, NAIDOC, Ngarluma & Yindjibarndi Foundation Ltd, Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation, Yirrkala Bark Petitions 1963, YMAC

NAIDOC week is now well underway, and celebrations are happening all over Australia. The theme for 2013 is “We value the vision: Yirrkala Bark Petitions 1963”.  The theme proudly celebrates the 50th anniversary of the presentation of the Yirrkala Bark Petitions to the Federal Parliament. To read more about the significance of these petitions visit the official NAIDOC website.

There are a huge number of events going on across the Yamatji and Pilbara regions to celebrate NAIDOC this week. Check your local paper for a listing of events. Some highlights will be the Ngarluma & Yindjibarndi Foundation Ltd’s football carnival in Roebourne this weekend, free community events featuring food and music in Karratha on Friday and Sunday, and the NAIDOC awards celebration in South Hedland on Saturday, to name just a few.

YMAC has already been celebrating NAIDOC, with stalls at the Tom Price and Perth opening ceremonies on Sunday, as well as last week’s Bundiyarra cultural celebrations in Geraldton.

If you are in Karratha or South Hedland this week come say hello to YMAC staff at the community events on there.

Dawn service to commemorate 100 years of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Veterans in Service. 7 July 2013

YMAC stall at Bundiyarra cultural celebrations in Geraldton. 3 July 2013