2014

World Mental Health Day call to close the gap

Posted: October 10th, 2014

Filed under: Close the Gap, World Mental Health Day

Today marks the World Mental Health Day, a day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy.

Professor Pat Dudgeon, chair of NATSILMH, took the opportunity to call on the Government to take action on closing the gap which exists between Indigenous and other Australians in the area of mental health. Professor Dudgeon spoke about  Indigenous Australians suffering psychological distress, mental illness and suicide at twice the rates of other Australians with evidence suggesting that the gap may be getting wider.

Professor Dudgeon was NATSILMH member, Dr Tom Palmer AO who called on the Government to prioritise the development of a mental health action plan in Indigenous Affairs.

“On World Mental Health Day 2014, we call on Australian governments to adopt a bipartisan approach and make closing the mental health gap a further priority for Indigenous Affairs,” said Professor Dudgeon and Dr Calma.

For more information on NATSILMH visit their website and to find events around Mental Health Day click here.

If you or someone you know needs help, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Investing in Country and Culture Panel Discussion

Posted: October 2nd, 2014

Filed under: Country, Culture, FIDIO, YMAC

Today the Forum for Independent Directors and Officers of Indigenous Organisations (FIDIO) will be hosting a panel discussion on Investing in Country and Culture.

The panel will explore a range of case studies to demonstrate the benefits of early investment in cultural and land management projects, particularly in relations to  agreement-making and generating new opportunities for community investment, employment and enterprise development on country.

The panel will include;
Paul Stenson, CEO, Ngarluma Aboriginal Corporation
Scott Chisolm, Director, Terra Rosa Cultural Resource Management
Kate Holloman, Lawyer, Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation

Date: Thursday 2 October
Time: 4.00pm – 6.00pm
Venue: Jackson McDonald, St George’s Square,  Level 17, 225 St Georges Tce, Perth

To book your place at the event click here.

For more information on FIDIO visit their website www.fidio.com.au

Will you join us?

Posted: September 24th, 2014

Filed under: Aboriginal Heritage Act, Department of Aboriginal Affairs, Yule River

The State Government’s proposed changes to the Aboriginal Heritage Act will lead to even weaker protection for Aboriginal heritage sites than we have now. Join us this Friday 26 September to show the State that Aboriginal people care about their heritage and need to have a say in what happens to it.

All Aboriginal people from WA are invited to attend an on-Country meeting at the traditional Yule River meeting place (55kms south of Port Hedland) at 11 am this Friday to discuss the proposed changes. You will have a chance to ask questions, and listen to speakers ranging from respected elders to academics and politicians.

Click here for more information about the meeting and about the issues.

It’s time to strengthen Aboriginal heritage protection

Posted: September 12th, 2014

Filed under: Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 (WA), heritage protection, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Petition, WA State Government

Join us in petitioning the State Government

As you probably know, YMAC is organising a meeting on Country on 26 September 2014 to discuss the proposed changes to the Aboriginal Heritage Act, at the request of the Pilbara Regional Committee.

We are now circulating a petition urging the State Government to develop a meaningful framework for reform of the Act that empowers Aboriginal people and builds on previous reviews of Aboriginal heritage legislation.

Click here to download your copy of the petition.

This petition is not limited to the Aboriginal community. Please circulate it as widely as possible, through your professional and personal networks, to make an impact on the WA State Government.

Original signatures (not scans) need to be returned to YMAC at PO Box 3072, 249 Hay Street, East Perth WA 6892 by 31 October 2014 so it can be presented to the State Parliament.

For more information on the changes or the reviews referred to in the petition, go to www.aboriginalheritage.net.au.

Thank you for your support, and we hope to see you on 26 September at Yule River.

Applications open for the SKILLED student vacation program

Posted: September 11th, 2014

Filed under: Karratha, Mining, Opportunities, Pilbara, Rio Tinto, SKILLED, Vacation employment

SKILLED and Rio Tinto are offering students aged 15+ the opportunity to engage in vacation employment over the summer school holidays. Placements will be with the Iron Ore Ports division with two areas available – Clerical and Workshop / Trades Assistant.

There are two employment rounds available:

• Group 1:  8 December to 19 December 2014 (Year 11&12 only)
• Group 2:  5 January to 16 January 2014 (Year 10,11 & 12)

Placements are only available to students who live locally. To apply contact the SKILLED Karratha branch for an application form on  (08) 9186 7100 or email karratha@skilled.com.au

600 year old Kariyarra ancestor buried at the Pioneer Cemetery

Posted: September 3rd, 2014

Filed under: Kariyarra, Port Hedland, The Department of Aboriginal Affairs

The Department of Aboriginal Affairs repatriation program will see thirteen sets of remains including those of a 600 year old Kariyarra ancestor buried at the Old Port Hedland Pioneer Cemetery.

The Old Pioneer was chosen as it will mean the ancestral remains will rest alongside other Kariyarra ancestors.

A ceremony will be held at the cemetery on 26th September.

National Landcare Programme consultation survey

Posted: August 15th, 2014

Filed under: Department of the Environment, National Landcare Programme, public consultation

The Australian Government is seeking your views on the design and delivery of the Regional Stream of the National Landcare Programme.

Click here to take the survey and read the consultation paper that  provides an overview of the National Landcare Programme. The consultation paper will help inform your response to specific questions in the online survey.

The survey will be open until 8pm 29 August 2014.

NITV Documentary – Our Footprint

Posted: August 12th, 2014

Filed under: Badimaya, Film and Television Institute WA, Indigenous Community Stories initiative, Jurruru, NITV, ScreenWest, Wajarri

Tomorrow night NITV will be showing the documentary Our Footprint featuring Wajarri Traditional Owner Ross Boddington.

The film is part of the Indigenous Community Stories initiative, a joint project from ScreenWest, Rio Tinto, Leighton, Ngarda and the Film and Television Institute (FTI) WA. The initiative has captured many stories from across Western Australia. Among them are stories from Jurruru, Wajarri and Badimaya. For more information on the project click here to visit the FTI website.

Our Footprint with Ross Boddington will be shown on NITV at 7.30pm, 13th August.

UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: get it, know it, use it.

Posted: August 11th, 2014

Filed under: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Australian Human Rights Commission, International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, Mick Gooda, United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

In celebration of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Mick Gooda, has unveiled a new website to provide practical information about the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

The website informs Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people about their human rights and encourages people to use these principles in their daily lives.

The website includes a copy of the Declaration, as well as videos clips about how to breathe life into it.