Country, Culture, People, Future

April 2018

Two native title wins this week!

Posted: April 27th, 2018

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This has been a week of celebration for YMAC’s Traditional Owner stakeholders.

On Monday 23 April 2018, the Wajarri Yamatji community celebrated the recognition of its second determination of native title (called the Part B Determination) by the Federal Court of Australia. This determination follows the Part A Determination that was made by the Federal Court in October 2017 over approximately 68,743 square kilometres of land and waters. The Part B Determination recognised the native title of the Wajarri community over an area of approximately 12,252 square kilometres of land and waters in the Murchison and Gascoyne regions. It includes parts of the Shires of Upper Gascoyne, Murchison, Yalgoo, Meekatharra and Cue. The determination covers unallocated Crown land, Aboriginal-held pastoral leases and a number of Aboriginal reserves and communities.

On Thursday 26 April 2018, the Robe River Kuruma community celebrated recognition of its native title at an on-Country Federal Court hearing at Parlapuuni (Panawonica Hill). The determination area includes the middle Robe, the Bungaroo Valley and the Buckland Ranges. The determination area lies in the Shire of Ashburton in Western Australia’s Pilbara region, with Part B covering approximately 5,720 square kilometres.

Read YMAC’s media releases for more information on both determinations.

To watch the KM Determination Part B video by Ngaarda Media click here. To view the photos click here.

YMAC News Issue 35

Posted: April 23rd, 2018

The latest edition of the YMAC newsletter is available for viewing online. Read about:

  • The Malgana Shark Bay People’s Native Title Claim Group successful application for State Government funding for the “Pathway to a Malgana Country
    Land and Sea Management Program”.
  • An alternative settlement of native title claims involving Southern Yamatji, Hutt River, Mullewa Wadjari and Widi Mob claim groups. It is hoped that these negotiations with the State of WA will lead to an agreement called the Geraldton Alternative Settlement Agreement (GASA).
  • Changes to the Pilbara and Yamatji Regional Committees and welcome the new members.

As always, there’s a lot happening. In 2018 we hope to progress six native title claims to determination in both the Yamatji and Pilbara regions. We are also busy
planning the Annual On-Country Bush Meeting (Yule River) which is happening on 11 and 12 July – hope to see you there!

Access the online newsletter using this link: YMAC News 35.

The print versions are due to be posted to YMAC members this week. Keep an eye out for it in your mailbox.

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leaders Program

Posted: April 19th, 2018

Milparanga is a leadership development program, formerly known as the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leaders Program (NATSILP). It is an 11-day, two session program, with the first session taking place in a regional location and the second session taking place in Canberra. Milparanga is for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person who are 21 years or older.

There are full scholarships available (Australian Government), as well as placements for those who obtain their own funding.

A Milparanga scholarship is worth $12,500 plus GST. This includes all accommodation, meals, on course travel, and equipment. Participants may be responsible for a small component of their travel to and from major transport services. The participant contribution is $200 plus GST towards program costs and for lifetime membership of the Network of Fellows of the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation. They may also be responsible for a small component of their travel to and from major transport services.

For more information click here.

First transfer of land to Kariyarra people

Posted: April 5th, 2018

The Kariyarra people are proud to announce that the State Government has approved the transfer of two lots of unallocated Crown land as part of the historic Kariyarra and State of Western Australia Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) that was signed in September 2017.Key benefits to be delivered under the ILUA include:

  • houses in South and Port Hedland,
  • management Order for several reserves for the use and benefit of Aboriginal people, both town based and further away in the claim area, and
  • financial benefits.

The transfer of this land is the first parcels of land to be transferred under the Agreement to the Kariyarra.

To view the full media release click here

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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