Country, Culture, People, Future

August 2022

Ranger documentary finalist in international film festival

Posted: August 31st, 2022

A short film about the Nyangumarta-Kiwirrkurra Ranger team exchange last year has been named as one of 21 international finalists at the UNESCO-supported Earth Futures Festival.

Marrngumili Warrarn Muwarr Pirraja – Sharing Desert Stories follows Nyangumarta Rangers – a ranger program operating with support from YMAC’s Land and Sea Management unit – as they travel through the Great Sandy and Gibson Deserts on the road to Kiwirrkurra, about 1200km east of Port Hedland and 700km west of Alice Springs.

Over four days in August 2021, the Nyangumarta Rangers shared skills, stories and song with 11 Kiwirrkurra and three Li-Anthawirriyarra Sea Rangers from Borroloola.

Together they hunted for feral cats over spinifex-covered sand plains, discovered the burrows of the endangered Tjalapa (Great Desert Skink) and visited Wilkinkara, a breathtaking salt lake and sacred place for the Pintupi people.

The documentary, selected out of 972 entries from 89 countries as one of three finalists in the Indigenous and First Nations category, was produced by YMAC Nyangumarta Rangers IPA Coordinator Jacob Loughridge and directed by Indigenous Desert Alliance Strategic Communications Coordinator Luke Sweet.

The aim of the Earth Futures Festival is to connect geoscience and the arts, helping to raise international awareness of the role earth science plays in building a sustainable future.

Open to filmmakers, geoscientists, community groups, students and First Nations peoples, entrants could submit 90-second to 90-minute works in video format on the festival’s themes of dynamic Earth, future Earth and human connection.

Marrngumili Warrarn Muwarr Pirraja – Sharing Desert Stories can be viewed at tinyurl.com/sharingdesert. Please be advised: certain scenes in the film may be confronting for some viewers.

Public voting is open until 15 September – go to tinyurl.com/desertvote.

The Earth Futures Festival will culminate in screenings and award events hosted at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris and venues in Sydney and New York in October.

Marrngumili Warrarn Muwarr Pirraja – Sharing Desert Stories is a finalist in an international film festival.

Images from Marrngumili Warrarn Muwarr Pirraja – Sharing Desert Stories.

Marrngumili Warrarn Muwarr Pirraja – Sharing Desert Stories is a finalist in the Earth Futures Festival.

Consultation workshops for Aboriginal people – biodiscovery legislation

Posted: August 30th, 2022

The Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation (JTSI) is developing biodiscovery legislation for WA and will be holding consultation workshops on the development of this legislation.  The workshops will be held for Aboriginal people and representative bodies, in six regional locations and in Perth, during September and October.

Biodiscovery is research into genetic resources, such as native plants and animals, to extract components of value. The Biodiscovery Bill will set out processes to ensure that if traditional knowledge associated with a genetic resource has been shared with a researcher and will be used in biodiscovery for a commercial purpose, the benefits are shared with the Traditional Knowledge Holders on mutually agreed terms.

The purpose of the workshops is to ensure that Aboriginal people, and organisations that represent Aboriginal people, are given the opportunity to provide their views on definitions and key concepts that are being considered for inclusion in the Bill. This consultation paper outlines the issues to be discussed during the following workshops:

Kununurra 2 September 2022: 9.00am – 3.00pm Mirima Dawang Woorlab-gerring Language Centre
Broome 16 September 2022: 10.00am – 4.00pm Liyan-ngan Nyirrwa Cultural Wellbeing Centre at Nyamba Buru Yawuru
Karratha 22 September 2022: 9.30am – 3.30pm Pilbara Universities Centre
Geraldton 29 September 2022:  9.30am – 3.30pm Fitzgerald Room, The Gerald Apartment Hotel
Kalgoorlie 11 October 2022: 9.30am – 3.30pm Goldfields Art Centre
Albany 18 October 2022: 9.00am – 3.00pm Kalyenup Studio, Albany Entertainment Centre
Perth 31 October 2022: 10.00am – 4.00pm Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation, Conference Rooms

 

Eligible participants can register for a workshop, or find more information about the Bill here.

If you are unable to attend a workshop in person or join remotely, there is still an opportunity to have a say by completing a survey that will soon be available on the biodiscovery webpage, by making a written submission or by contacting the Project Team.

Sitting fees are unable to be paid, but if support for traditional owners to travel to attend a workshop is required, contact the Project Team or telephone (08) 6277 3050 to discuss.

 

Wilunyu Words of Wisdom Language Exhibition

Posted: August 26th, 2022

The City of Greater Geraldton (CGG) is holding the Wilunyu Words of Wisdom language exhibition with a fabulous selection of community artworks showcasing selected words from the Wilunyu Language.

The exhibition celebrates the beginning of the International Decade of Indigenous Languages, as declared by the United Nations, and will be mounted in the Post Office Lane Lightbox Gallery and  Geraldton Regional Library.

The CGG is inviting budding artists to create and colour their own artwork, using a special template prepared by local Aboriginal artist, Nicole Dickerson, with words culturally approved for use by Donna Ronan. Prizes will be awarded for the seven artworks chosen to be displayed in Post Office Lane. There are three categories (6-10 years, 11-17 years and 18+ years).

To assist you in creating a masterpiece, an art workshop will be held on Saturday, 3 September, 2022 at the Geraldton Regional Art Gallery from 10.30am-12pm with Aboriginal artist Nicole Dickerson. Craft materials are provided and all ages are welcome to participate. Click here to book.

If you would like to complete the colouring-in templates to the seven words in your own time, they can be found on the Post Lane Lightbox Gallery webpage.

Entries close Monday, 12 September, 2022. Completed entry forms can be submitted at the Geraldton Regional Library or the Geraldton Regional Art Gallery. See Terms and conditions for entry.

A community sausage sizzle will be held on 29 September 2022 to celebrate the exhibition opening.  Please book to attend by clicking on the link.

For more information, phone Rachael Vieraitis from the City of Greater Geraldton on 9956 6750.

Funding available for Cultural Heritage Projects: Applications are now OPEN!

Posted: August 24th, 2022

Grant applications are now open for the 2022-23 Preserve, Promote and Protect our Aboriginal Sites Grants Program as part of the State Government’s commitment to supporting Aboriginal groups to manage their unique and rich heritage as well as providing training and development opportunities.

Incorporated Aboriginal not-for-profit organisations are invited to apply for a share of $500,000 with grants of up to $40,000 being offered for projects that include sites listed on the Register of Aboriginal Places and Objects.

The grants will enable Aboriginal communities to undertake physical on-the-ground works and will also support recipients to undertake historical and archaeological research and deliver truth-telling projects.

For more information about the program and to submit an application visit https://www.wa.gov.au/aboriginal-heritage-grants

Applications close on Friday 21 October 2022.

Free Mobile Mammogram Screening in the Pilbara

Posted: August 4th, 2022

BreastScreen WA’s FREE mobile screening mammogram service is coming soon to the Pilbara, so if you’re a woman aged 50 years and over, make your appointment now!

The BreastScreen WA’s mobile clinic will be located at the:
Hedland Health Campus
Colebatch Way, South Hedland
Dates: 5 – 14 September 20225

All women aged 40 years and over with no breast symptoms are welcome to attend.

Bookings are now open and can be made online or by calling 13 20 50. For more information see BreastScreen WA’s website.

Midwest COVID 19 Vaccination Clinics

Posted: August 3rd, 2022

Get your free COVID-19 vaccine dose or booster (if eligible) to ensure you have the best protection against COVID-19.

COVID Vaccination, including the Booster, is the most powerful tool to protect individuals, families, and older community members from getting very sick from COVID-19 and the Omicron variant.
Updated advice from the ATAGI now recommends you wait THREE MONTHS after a confirmed COVID-19 infection, to receive your next dose. Walk-ins are available for both child and adult vaccines.
COVID-19 Pop-Up Vaccination Clinics will be available in the Midwest during August. See below for the following locations:

Mount Magnet
Anzac Hall
88 Hepburn St, Mount Magnet
Tues 9 August 2022
9.00am – 3.00pm

Northampton
RSL Hall
239 Hampton St, Northampton
Thurs 18 August 2022
10.00am – 2.30pm

Keep up to date with your COVID-19 vaccinations and if eligible get your Flu vaccine at the same time!

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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