2018

Apply for PBC capacity building funding now!

Posted: June 5th, 2018

The Department of Prime  Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) invites eligible applicants to apply for Prescribed Body Corporate (PBC) capacity building grant funding.

If your Prescribed Body Corporate requires funding for building capacity, resourcing for economic development, training and services, or direct support for agreement making, you can apply for the PBC capacity building funding now. Any PBC can apply and there is no closing date for the funding.

For further information, including an application form, please visit the DPMC website.

Open Colleges introduces the Milton Smith Scholarship for ATSI students

Posted: May 28th, 2018

Open Colleges, Australia’s leading online educator, have announced the launch of The Milton Smith Scholarship for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) students.

Australia is missing its target to halve the gap in unemployment between Indigenous and non- Indigenous Australians, with many claiming inadequate training and qualifications as a substantial barrier to gaining employment.

In light of this, Open Colleges will be offering four scholarships per calendar year, to the full course value, across a variety of areas including Business, Education and Beauty.

The scholarship, which comes as a first for Open Colleges, is offered in memory of former employee Milton Smith, his adventurous spirit, and his commitment to education. The scholarship aims to bring greater access to skills, education and support services.

Sarah MacDiarmid, a spokesperson from Open Colleges said: “We’re proud to be introducing the Milton Smith scholarship in memory of our dear friend and colleague. We aim to continue Milton’s passion by helping to support and educate the ATSI community and increase future employment opportunities.”

Open Colleges have been supporting over 800,000 students with world-class training for the last 100 years and are determined to continue providing students with the tools they need to achieve their employment goals.

Applications are now open and will close on June 15 this year.

For more details on the eligibility criteria click here.

Nyangumarta Rangers Showcase Event Highlights Achievements

Posted: May 28th, 2018

The Nyangumarta Rangers and Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation (YMAC) celebrated the official opening of their office space in Broome on Thursday 24 May. The event also highlighted the Nyangumarta Warrarn Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) – a land and sea management initiative – and the activities undertaken by the Nyangumarta Rangers over the last three years.

Since the Nyangumarta IPA dedication in July 2015, the funding available for this program has increased ten-fold, mainly thanks to Federal funding through the Indigenous Advancement Strategy (IAS) and the national IPA program. The Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Senator the Hon Nigel Scullion, also recently announced a three year funding extension for Indigenous Rangers from 1 July 2018 until 30 June 2021.

YMAC Chief Executive Officer, Simon Hawkins said “it’s great to see the Government continuing to support Indigenous Ranger Programs such as the Nyangumarta IPA. Involving Traditional Owners in the management of their land and sea country is important so the knowledge can be used to manage and care for natural and cultural assets, and be passed down to future generations.”

Nyangumarta Senior Cultural Advisor and Nyangumarta Warrarn Aboriginal Corporation CEO Nyaparu Rose said “the program has not only generated employment opportunities for Aboriginal people, but it has also created a sense of community as we work together to care for our country. That’s why continued support from the government is important to ensure this program continues to reach its full potential.”

To view the full media release click here.

Strong Women On Country

Posted: May 18th, 2018

According to the ‘Strong Women On Country’ report, the case for growth of Indigenous ranger and Indigenous Protected Area programs is compelling. The case studies in the report demonstrate that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and girls are taking advantage of opportunities through land and sea management to further express and develop their strength, confidence and leadership.

The report also outlines the achievements of women protecting nature, demonstrating empowerment through their land and sea management careers, sustaining culture and strengthening communities. Each case study demonstrates the integrated benefits of Indigenous ranger jobs and Indigenous Protected Areas for women, their communities and every Australian.

To read the Strong Women On Country report click here.

Aboriginal Heritage Act Workshops

Posted: May 14th, 2018

Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ben Wyatt has announced a review of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972, the legislation responsible for preserving and protecting Aboriginal Heritage in Western Australia. The release of the Consultation Paper marks the commencement of a three-phase public consultation process that will ultimately lead to the introduction of a new Aboriginal heritage legislation into the Western Australian Parliament. Community meetings and stakeholder workshops will be held across regional WA and in Perth throughout May 2018.

To find out more about the location of the workshops click here.

Two native title wins this week!

Posted: April 27th, 2018

Filed under: Kuruma Marthudunera, native title, Pilbara, Wajarri, Wajarri Yamatji, Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation, YMAC

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