May 2023

Call to stop inflation impacting Indigenous ranger work

Posted: May 29th, 2023

Country Needs People (CNP), the national not-for-profit supporting Indigenous land and sea management, is urging the Federal Government to make sure inflation does not undermine the important work of Indigenous rangers and Indigenous Protected Areas (IPAs) in looking after Country.

With inflation running at more than seven per cent, CNP is concerned indexation of the Indigenous land and sea sector is not keeping up with inflation and effectively means a cut to their land and sea management efforts, if not addressed.

“We understand Indigenous ranger contracts nationally have an inflation adjustment figure of 1.6% or less per annum which is woefully inadequate,” CNP CEO Patrick O’Leary said. “If something does not change this will equate to millions of dollars of effective cuts across the sector, which will be felt keenly at the grassroots level by every group.”

CNP is calling on the Federal Government to ensure there is an automatic adjustment in the contracts of each Indigenous ranger team – and IPA – to ensure their operating funds do not suffer cuts in real terms, allowing them to have the resources they need to look after Country.

Read more about CNP’s concerns. YMAC’s Land and Sea Management unit provides support for the Nyangumarta rangers program.

Affirmation for reconciliation at virtual breakfast

Posted: May 25th, 2023

YMAC congratulates Reconciliation WA and Reconciliation Australia on a fantastic and timely National Reconciliation Week Virtual Breakfast today.

Following YMAC’s endorsement of the “yes” vote in relation to the referendum question on an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice, the breakfast event highlighted the vital importance of an Aboriginal Voice to Parliament.

The event was broadcast live from Boola Bardip WA Museum to participants across the State, in the lead-up to National Reconciliation Week from 27 May until 3 June. YMAC’s staff joined thousands of viewers across Western Australia from its head office in Perth and regional offices in Carnarvon, Hedland, Broome and Geraldton.

This year’s theme – “Be a voice for generations” – is very fitting in this referendum year. After a Welcome to Country from Aunty Robyn Collard, the event line-up included a mix of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal leaders speaking of their commitment to reconciliation and presenting compelling reasons to vote “yes” in the referendum later this year.

Find out what’s happening in WA during National Reconciliation Week

YMAC staff and guests watching former Socceroo Craig Foster speak during the breakfast.

WA Biodiscovery Bill information sessions

Posted: May 2nd, 2023

The State Government’s Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation is developing new biodiscovery legislation for Western Australia and holding information sessions across the State during May.

The Biodiscovery Bill will set out processes to ensure that, if Traditional Knowledge associated with a genetic resource has been shared with a researcher, the benefits are shared with the Traditional Knowledge custodians on mutually agreed terms.

The information sessions will detail recommendations from the first consultation phase in 2022 and a proposed model for the Bill. Dates and location are as follows:

• Broome: 10am-2pm, Friday, 12 May
• Kununurra: 10am-2pm, Monday, 15 May
• Albany: 10am-2pm, Monday, 22 May
• Port Hedland: 10am-2pm, Wednesday, 24 May
• Kalgoorlie: 10am-2pm, Friday, 26 May
• Geraldton: 10am-2pm, Monday, 29 May
• Perth: 1pm-5pm, Wednesday, 31 May

The sessions will be facilitated by Roanna Edwards from PricewaterhouseCoopers Indigenous Consulting. Register your place here and learn more at the WA Biodiscovery Bill website.

While the department is unable to pay sitting fees for attendance, it may be able to provide support for Traditional Owners to travel to attend a workshop. Email biodiscovery@jtsi.wa.gov.au or call (08) 6277 3000 to discuss.

Up to $60,000 grants available for Aboriginal arts

Posted: May 1st, 2023

The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries is offering grants between $15,000 and $60,000 for Aboriginal artists, creative industry professionals and organisations to deliver one-off projects or a single program of activity.

Applications for the Arts 15k-plus grant program should meet one or more of the following objectives:

• promoting or facilitating greater engagement of Aboriginal communities in the arts
• encouraging the expression of traditional and contemporary Aboriginal culture, individuality, spirituality and empowerment through the arts
• encouraging the involvement of Aboriginal arts expertise, skills, knowledge and resources
• supporting long-term skills development goals for Aboriginal artists, arts workers and communities
• supporting Aboriginal cultural maintenance
• delivering artistic and social outcomes for Aboriginal communities through the arts.

Read more about the guidelines. Applications close 4pm, 1 June, for events or projects starting 1 September 2023.