YMAC

Feb19 2013

Aboriginal Youth Leadership Program- Apply now

Posted: February 19th, 2013

Filed under: Challenger Institute, Department of Communities, Indigenous Leadership Program, One Sky Many Paths, youth leadership

‘One Sky, Many Paths’ is an Aboriginal youth leadership program that runs from April to July this year. The program includes:
•two one-week residential conferences in Fremantle
•on-line learning, with support from a local mentor
•a community project that the participants themselves will plan and run over a 14-week period.

During the course the participants get to meet and be inspired by pre-eminent Aboriginal leaders. On completion they receive a certificate II in Leadership Development.

The program is run by the Challenger Institute and funded by the WA Department for Communities. For more information go to http://www.communities.wa.gov.au/Youth/programs/osmp/Pages/default.aspx. Applications close on 22 March 2013.

Feb15 2013

Applications Open for Community Landcare Grants

Posted: February 15th, 2013

Filed under: caring for country, Community Landcare Grants, environmental protection, natural resource management.

Applications for the Community Landcare Grants are now open, with grants from $5,000 to $50,000 available to help local community groups take on-ground action in natural resource management.

Local community and farming groups involved in sustainable production are encouraged to apply. Eligible projects may include soil conditioning, erosion reduction, weed and pest control as well as other activities that reduce the impact of aquaculture and commercial fishing on the environment.

The grants form part of the Australian government’s ‘Caring for Country’ initiative which aims to promote the sustainable management of the country’s natural resources by supporting communities, farmers and other local groups protect Australia’s natural environment.

For more information including eligibility and application requirements, visit the Caring for Country website.

Applications close 20 March 2013.

Feb12 2013

YMAC’s Regional Director in Pilbara Exhibition

Posted: February 12th, 2013

Filed under: FORM., Peter Jeffries, Pilbara, Pilbara Stories, The Pilbrara Project

Are you interested in finding out more about life and culture in the Pilbara region of Western Australia?

Perth’s FORM gallery is currently hosting Pilbara Stories, a photographic exhibition capturing the diversity and individuality of everyday Pilbara life.

The exhibition features YMAC’s own Pilbara Regional Manager, Peter Jeffries, and is open now at the FORM gallery in Perth until 20 April 2013, and the Courthouse Gallery in Port Hedland from 15 February to 11 April 2013.

Pilbara Stories is part of FORM’s ongoing ‘Pilbara Project’, which aims to encourage local people from the region to celebrate their own unique identity.

For more information, visit the Pilbara Stories website.

Feb11 2013

Next step toward Constitutional Recognition

Posted: February 11th, 2013

Filed under: ANTaR, Constitutional recognition, You Me Unity

A significant step along the road to Constitutional Recognition is fast approaching. The Bill of Recognition introduced to Federal Parliament in November is expected to be voted on this Wednesday 13 February.

ANTaR is asking for your support to call on Federal Politicians to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Constitution and protect all Australians from racial discrimination.

Click here to add your support to the call for change.

To learn more about constitutional recognition for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, visit http://www.youmeunity.org.au/ or http://antar.org.au/

Feb5 2013

Yinhawangka People Sign Native Title Agreement with Rio Tinto

Posted: February 5th, 2013

Filed under: Darren Injie, Paraburdoo, Pilbara, Rio Tinto, Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation, Yinhawangka

Yinhawangka Country

The Yinhawangka People of the Pilbara region of Western Australia have announced a major agreement with Rio Tinto.

The Yinhawangka People are the native title claimants and traditional custodians of approximately one million hectares of land and waters in the central Pilbara, including the mining town of Paraburdoo. The agreement covers Rio Tinto’s existing, current and future iron ore mining operations within Yinhawangka country and, importantly, establishes protocols for the protection of homeland communities and areas of special significance. This includes the exclusion of an area of outstanding cultural significance to the Yinhawangka People.

It provides a range of economic and non-economic benefits for the Yinhawangka People, including significant financial benefits from mining on their traditional country; special treatment of areas of high cultural significance; employment and training opportunities; support for Pilbara Aboriginal business development and contracting; and a collaborative approach to environmental and cultural heritage management.

Yinhawangka Traditional Owner, Darren Injie, said it had taken over twenty years of hard work for the Yinhawangka People to establish their homeland communities and reach today’s milestone.

“I want to acknowledge a lot of important people whose leadership contributed to this agreement, and who are no longer with us today. This wasn’t the work of one or two people, it’s been a community effort. I also thank Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation; we would not have an agreement with this kind of scope and integrity without their ongoing support.”

Click here to read the full media release.

Feb1 2013

New Children’s Book from West Australian Indigenous Artist

Posted: February 1st, 2013

Filed under: Indigenous Arts, Indigenous Books, Indigenous Culture, Magabala Books, Norma MacDonald Spinifex Mouse, Nyungar, Yamatji.

West Australian artist Norma MacDonald will release her new illustrated children’s book next month through Indigenous publishing house, Magabala Books.

Spinifex Mouse is the tale of a cheeky, spinifex-hopping mouse who lives in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Written and Illustrated by Ms MacDonald, the book will be available from February 2013 in bookshops across Australia and online from Magabala Books, www.magabala.com

Magabala Books is a not-for-profit publishing house based in Broome that aims to promote, preserve and publish Indigenous Australian culture.

Norma MacDonald descends from both the Yamatji and Nyungar people of Western Australia. Spinifex Mouse follows on from her 2011 success, Stolen Girl, also published through Magabala Books.

Jan30 2013

Protection of Aboriginal Culture through Eighty Mile Beach Marine Park

Posted: January 30th, 2013

Filed under: Aboriginal cultural heritage., Department of Environment and Conservation, Eighty Mile Beach, Eighty Mile Beach Marine Park, Karajarri, Ngarla, Nyangumarta, Pilbara

A new marine park created to protect the natural and cultural values of the Pilbara’s Eighty Mile Beach will for the first time in Western Australia include special recognition for sites of high Aboriginal cultural significance.

The Eighty Mile Beach Marine Park is the result of collaborative efforts between the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) and Indigenous Traditional Owners who have worked together to ensure the protection of Aboriginal heritage in Western Australia.

The marine park will be jointly managed between DEC and Karajarri, Nyangumarta and Ngarla Traditional Owners, and will include special ‘cultural heritage’ zones acknowledging the existence of cultural values in the area.

Click here to read the full Ministerial media statement.

Click to Enlarge

Jan25 2013

Give your thoughts on Native Title Reform

Posted: January 25th, 2013

Filed under: Native Title Act, Native Title Reform Bill 2012

The Federal Government is seeking feedback on the proposed amendments to the Native Title Act. The Native Title Amendment Bill 2012 reforms three areas of the Native Title Act:

it clarifies the meaning of ‘good faith’ and makes amendments to the ‘right to negotiate’;
it allows parties to agree to set aside historical extinguishment in parks and environmental reserves;
and it makes some changes to the scope and processes for voluntary ILUAs.

Written submisions are due by 31 January, and should address the proposals for reforms and whether a balance has been struck between the views of different stakeholders.

For more information and to make your submission, go to www.aph.gov.au/nativetitle

Jan22 2013

Grants for Women Program 2013

Posted: January 22nd, 2013

Filed under: community grants, Department of Communities, Grants for Women program, Indigenous Women

The Department of Communities is currently seeking applications for its ‘Grants for Women’ program 2013.

The program will provide grants of up to $5,000 to eligible groups and organisations which seek to strengthen the health and wellbeing, economic security, leadership and safety of women in both the home and community.

Click here for guidelines and eligibility requirements, and visit the Department of Communities Website to access an application form.

Applications for 2013 will close 5:00pm on Friday, 8 March 2013.

Fore more information, contact the Grants and Contacts Officer on (08) 6551 8700 or email grants@communities.wa.gov.au

2013