2021

Register now for the AIATSIS Summit 2021 (31 May – 4 June)

Posted: March 22nd, 2021

On 31 May – 4 June 2021, the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) will be hosting a joint National Native Title Conference and National Indigenous Research Conference in Adelaide, South Australia.

Applications for those seeking financial assistance to attend the event are now open.

The theme of the conference this year is Footprints for the future – Tracking our journey together, and the event will provide a unique space to discuss challenges and opportunities specific to First Nations peoples with the goal of supporting and strengthening Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge and governance.

AIATSIS has secured sponsorship funding to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to attend the event as speakers, facilitators and delegates, with limited funds also available for those interested in attending.

To find out more about the event and to register, visit the 2021 AIATSIS Summit event site here: https://aiatsis.gov.au/2021-summit

Otherwise, Indigenous sponsored delegates can register here: https://aiatsis.eventsair.com/summit21/isda/Site/Register

Registrations close COB 26 May 2021, with applications for Indigenous sponsored delegates closing on 31 March 2021.

2021 Close the Gap Report released

Posted: March 19th, 2021

The 2021 Close the Gap report, Leadership and Legacy Through Crises: Keeping our Mob Safe, has been released, and it calls upon all levels of government to take action on improving outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

In the report – released by the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) on National Close the Gap Day – AHRC recognises that in order to achieve positive and sustainable outcomes, governments “must be led by, and invest in, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander solutions”. The report makes 15 recommendations to government, including:

• Fully implementing the Uluru Statement from the Heart and a constitutionally enshrined First Nations Voice
• Raising the age of criminal responsibility immediately and nationally, from 10 years old to 14 years old
• Implementing the recommendations in the landmark Wiyi Yani U Thangani (Woman’s Voices): Securing Our Rights, Securing Our Future report to enhance the lives of First Nation women and girls
• Establishing greater environmental and heritage protections for sites that are sacred or culturally significant
• Prioritising truth-telling and healing processes to strengthen the resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and to stop the ongoing impacts of racism and intergenerational trauma

Other recommendations include encouraging young climate leaders and promoting strengths-based, community driven approaches to delivering better health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

To read the report in full, visit the AHRC website here.

Learn more about the Close the Gap Campaign on the ANTaR website.

2021 Leadership WA Foundation Scholarships: Regional Aboriginal Leadership Development

Posted: March 17th, 2021

Applications for the Regional Aboriginal Leadership Development Scholarships’ 2021 ‘Rising Leadership Program’ are currently being accepted (closing Monday, 19 April 2021).

The Regional Aboriginal Leadership Development Scholarships, supported by Lotterywest and the Leadership WA Foundation, are supporting regional Aboriginal participants to attend the ‘Rising Leadership Program’ (consisting of ten one-day workshops to be held between July through December 2021).

The scholarships enable participants to develop leadership skills and capabilities to re-invest back into their local communities. This will create even further positive impact upon regional WA and Aboriginal communities and businesses. In addition, the experiences, skills and cultural insights learned will act to educate and develop fellow cohort members, building further shared understandings.

The ‘Rising Leadership Program’ equips mid-level professionals from all sectors and industries with the tools to become authentic and effective leaders in the workplace. It guides participants on how to build their potential through personal growth, and helps them understand the essential skills required by future leaders. The program aims to provide participants with the frameworks, tools and relevant resources to help them on their journey to becoming effective leaders. This is achieved by introducing practical strategies and theories to develop professional leadership.

Interested ‘Rising Leadership Program’ participants can register via Leadership WA’s application form.

Please note, the Leadership WA Foundation scholarships cover the organisational fee ($7,150), as well as related travel and accommodation costs for participants to travel to Perth to participate in the program. The scholarships do not cover the personal fee ($660), as this represents the applicant’s self-investment. However, this fee can be covered with a payment plan, if required.

If you would like to know more about this opportunity, please visit the program’s webpage, or contact Leadership WA at (08) 6381 6700 or connect@leadershipwa.org.au.

If you would like to know more about other upcoming scholarship and program opportunities offered by Leadership WA, please check out this brochure, or visit their website.

Native Title Report 2021

Posted: March 16th, 2021

There is still time to contribute to the Native Title Report 2021 to influence native title reform.

The survey will be open until Friday 19 March.

The Native Title Report 2021 will focus on women’s voices and stories about their experiences in the native title system. The report, which will be tabled in Federal Parliament, will inform the Government in its native title reform agenda as well as those in the sector who play a role in advocating for change.

There are 3 ways to contribute:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women with experience in the native title system are invited to complete a survey. The survey will now stay open until 19 March 2021. The survey is smartphone-friendly.
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and all other people and organisations with experience and expertise in the native title system are invited to make a submission. This is an opportunity to provide more detailed information than the survey. The guided submission is also open until 19 March 2021.
• You can also upload your own document as a submission, or email us your comments directly at nativetitle@humanrights.gov.au  There are PDF and Word versions of the submission available on the Have Your Say webpage to assist you if needed.

Scholarship opportunity for Indigenous Business Leaders

Posted: March 14th, 2021

The Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) is offering scholarship to 20 Indigenous leaders to attend the Company Directors Course Online program and receive free membership with the AICD for one year.

The course is designed to help experienced directors, executives and leaders develop a deeper understanding of governance issues and improve their performance, and will be delivered through both online and offline learning.

Applications are encouraged from people who:

• Identify as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person.
• Have experience as a director, senior executive or senior leader within an organisation.
• Possess the ability and desire to contribute as a board member in the future.
• Can outline the benefits of completing the program for themselves, their organisation and/or their community.
• Can commit to undertaking the Company Directors Course Online™, commencing Friday 4 June 2021.

Scholarship applications close on Monday 22 March 2021.

To learn more about the course and apply for the scholarship, please visit the AICD website here: https://aicd.companydirectors.com.au/education/scholarships

Further enquiries can be sent to Scott Dickson before the application deadline.

International Women’s Day 2021

Posted: March 8th, 2021

On Monday 8th March the world and YMAC celebrates International Women’s Day 2021, a global day that recognises the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women.

The theme for International Women’s Day this year is, ‘Women in Leadership: Achieving an Equal Future in a COVID-19 World’. While the COVID-19 pandemic has and continues to be a challenge for organisations and individuals across the state, YMAC has witnessed an inspiring display of unity, professionalism and dedication within our organisation and from individuals within the areas YMAC represents.

YMAC is fortunate to experience first-hand the outstanding work of women leaders across the state in contributing to a more equitable reality for Indigenous women. Women play a vital role in strengthening culture and Country. We want to acknowledge and celebrate the women who contribute across all levels of our organisation, embracing the pathways to leadership. From our business trainees who have excelled to senior positions; rangers caring for Country; YMAC’s Committee and Board members who drive the direction of the organisation and how we support communities.

Empowered women are a core component of empowered communities. Over the decades we have had the privileged to work alongside so many incredibly strong women leaders of claim groups on their native title journeys.

There is still ample work to do in order to achieve an equal future for Indigenous women, and YMAC is proud to support Traditional Owners in strengthening this reality for women today, tomorrow and far into the future.

2021 Pilbara Community Services Excellence Awards

Posted: February 24th, 2021

Nominations are now open for the 2021 Pilbara Community Services Excellence Awards (and close on Friday, 2 April 2021 at 5pm).

YMAC is proud to be, once again, sponsoring one of the award categories this year: “Community Spirit (Volunteer)”.

Other individual categories include “Young Champion of the Year” and “Community Hero of the Year”; while organisations (small and medium/large) can be nominated for their “Impact”, “Innovation”, and “Partnerships”.

Winners will be announced at a special Gala Dinner, to be held at the Red Earth Arts Precinct in Karratha on Saturday, 19 June 2021.

The awards this year will celebrate the resilience, creativity, collaboration and leadership of both individuals and organisations working in the community services sector across the Pilbara. Over the past year, the sector has faced many challenges and has had to respond with courage, spirit, innovation and determination to ensure the continuation of essential services to Pilbara communities and families.  These awards will celebrate community heroes – organisations and individuals, leaders, youth and volunteers – who have gone above and beyond to make a difference to Pilbara communities.

Nominating for these awards provides a fantastic opportunity for Pilbara individuals and organisations to be recognised and celebrated for their dedication, passion and achievements.  It also provides an opportunity to showcase and promote your organisation and services to the wider Pilbara community.

For more information about the awards, including how to make a nomination, you can download this brochure.

You might also like to register for the online information session on ‘how to prepare a winning award submission’ being held via Zoom on Thursday, 25 February 2021 at 12pm. To register your interest in attending this session, please email Karen at Pilbara for Purpose: pilbara4purpose@gmail.com

Western Australian of the Year Awards (nominations close Friday, 26 February).

Posted: February 19th, 2021

Following the postponement of the 2020 awards due to COVID-19, the ‘2021 Western Australian of the Year Awards’ will be acknowledging and celebrating the achievements of Western Australians over the past two years.

These awards recognise outstanding contributions to our state by those born and bred in Western Australia, or those who have chosen to make Western Australia their home, in the following categories:

• Aboriginal: Presented in celebration of excellence in professional and/or personal achievements at a state, national or international level, contributing to the Western Australian community and recognition as an inspirational role model in the Aboriginal community.
• Arts & Culture: Presented in celebration of excellence in achievement and/or significant contribution at a state, national or international level to the development, promotion and profiling of arts and culture disciplines in Western Australia.
• Business: Presented in celebration of excellence and outstanding ethics in business leadership, social entrepreneurship or innovation at a state, national or international level, resulting in major positive social or economic impact in Western Australia.
• Community: Presented in celebration of excellence in commitment to, and contribution towards, improving the quality of lives in the Western Australian community, at a state, national or international level.
• Professions: Presented in celebration of excellence resulting in major social, scientific or economic impact at a state, national or international level.
• Sport: Presented in celebration of excellence in achievement, development or promotion of sport at a state, national or international level, with a focus on contribution to the Western Australian community.
• Youth: Presented in celebration of excellence in leadership, mentoring or artistic pursuits at a state, national or international level amongst 18 to 30 year olds, positively impacting the lives of Western Australians.

The online process to nominate someone for an award is simple and should take just a few minutes.

You can make nominations online by visiting: https://www.celebratewa.com.au/2021-western-australian-of-the-year-awards/.

Or, alternatively, email celebratewa@celebratewa.com.au, to request a nomination form.

Please note, nominations must be received by Celebrate WA by Friday, 26 February 2021 to be eligible for consideration.

CATSI Act Review Final Report

Posted: February 17th, 2021

The review of the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (CATSI Act) has been completed, with the final report published on the National Indigenous Australians Agency’s (NIAA’s) website.

The final report reflects the feedback received during the second phase of consultation and makes 72 recommendations outlining changes to the CATSI Act, suggesting further consideration of some aspects of the CATSI Act and identifying additional support that could be provided to corporations incorporated under the CATSI Act.

The Australian Government is considering the Final Report with a view to bringing forward a bill to amend the CATSI Act in due course.