Blog

Reach a peak at First Nations women’s summit

Posted: March 17th, 2023

Registrations are now open for the inaugural Wiyi Yani U Thangani (Women’s Voices) First Nations Women and Girls National Summit.

Presented by the Australian Human Rights Commission, the summit is being held at the National Convention Centre on Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country (Canberra) from 9-11 May (with a youth forum on 8 May).

General registrations are for First Nations women only (including those who identify as cis, trans and non-binary) while the youth forum is for First Nations women aged 18 to 30.

Several funded places are available for First Nations women over 18 to attend the entire summit, funded by the Australian Human Rights Commission. Complete the application form.

Register for the summit – for enquiries, email wiyiyani.uthangani@humanrights.gov.au.

Share in $10 million of regional grant funding

Posted: March 14th, 2023

Qantas is inviting regional community groups across Australia to apply for a share of $10 million over five years as part of its regional grants program.

The grants – which include a combination of flights, cash and marketing support – are open to individuals, not-for-profit community groups and organisations of any size that are seeking funding to help enhance the lives of people in regional communities.

Funding is available for First Nations programs, youth, schools and education, children and family, sustainability, natural disaster recovery, tourism and heritage, research, health and wellbeing, human services, agriculture and farming, sports and recreation, and the arts and screen industry.

Applications close 10 May – visit the Qantas website for more details.

$7 million in grants for community environmental projects

Posted: March 8th, 2023

The State Government is offering $7 million for community land and water conservation initiatives through its 2023 Community Stewardship Grants program.

First Nations organisations, schools, natural resource management (NRM) groups, local governments, community resource centres and recognised biosecurity groups can apply.

Small grants between $1000 and $50,000 are available for short-term projects and large grants from $50,000 to $450,000 are on offer for longer term activities.

Examples of eligible activities include capturing or implementing Traditional Knowledge of Country, dealing with invasive species, sustainable or regenerative agriculture, remnant vegetation protection, revegetation, threatened species protection, data collection, information sharing, planning, research, technical advice, infrastructure and training and skills development.

Applications close midday, 1 May – visit the State Government’s grant information page for details.

NNTC online seminar on the Voice to Parliament – register now!

Posted: February 27th, 2023

On Thursday, 2 March 2023 [10am-11.30am (AWST)], the National Native Title Council (NNTC) is hosting an online seminar about the Voice to Parliament for native title holders.

The seminar is intended to provide information by way of an expert panel of First Nations peoples about the Voice to Parliament and address some of the confusion and uncertainty attendees may be feeling. The panellists will include:

• Jamie Lowe
• Tony McAvoy SC
• Dr Hannah McGlade
• Dr Eddie Cubillo
• Rachel Perkins
• Clinton Benjamin

To learn more about the seminar and panellists, please visit the NNTC website or contact the NNTC.

To register for this seminar, please follow the instructions here. Note: registrations close Tuesday, 28 February 2023.

YMAC employee appointed to DWER advisory group

Posted: February 14th, 2023

Congratulations to YMAC Land and Sea Management Project Coordinator Marika Oakley, who has been appointed as a regional representative on the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation’s (DWER) Aboriginal Water and Environment Advisory Group.

Established in 2018, the group was designed to ensure First Nations knowledge, values and needs are considered and addressed across DWER strategies, programs and planning when managing WA’s environment and water resources.

The group comprises 14 First Nations members covering the Kimberley, Pilbara, Great Sandy Desert, Goldfields-Esperance, South West and Perth with Marika – based in YMAC’s Geraldton office – representing the Gascoyne-Mid West region.

Marika’s insight and knowledge, delivered from a First Nations perspective, will make a valuable contribution. She previously worked as a Malgana ranger for two years and has a certificate III in conservation and land management and certificate IV in bush and western herbal medicine. Marika was also the inaugural chair of Malgana Aboriginal Corporation (MAC), following a native title determination in 2018.

“I have always been interested in conservation and looking after Country and my people,” Marika said.

YMAC’s Land and Sea Management unit works on research and development for new ranger projects and Indigenous Protected Areas (IPAs); Healthy Country Planning (strategic planning for cultural and natural heritage); advice on environmental matters; funding applications; and sustainable financing.

The unit also provides project management for ranger and IPA projects; advice and support for joint management, training and capacity-building for senior staff and rangers; advice on Indigenous Land Use Agreement negotiations that cover ranger; fee-for-service and governance structures; and support for groups in creating new jointly vested and managed reserves with the State Government.

The flagship Nyangumarta rangers program operates with support from YMAC’s Land and Sea Management unit, in collaboration with the Nyangumarta Warrarn Aboriginal Corporation.

Marika Oakley, centre bottom row, during her time as a Malgana ranger.

Free NIAA training workshops for PBCs

Posted: February 3rd, 2023

The National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) is offering free training workshops for board members and staff of Prescribed Bodies Corporate (PBCs), delivered by Supreme Court of Victoria barrister and solicitor Shane Carroll.

Workshops cover corporate governance for PBC Boards – for existing PBCs or those on a pathway to becoming a PBC – with participation open to directors, future directors and staff.

Mr Carroll has extensive experience as a legal consultant for a wide cross-section of private and public sector organisations and currently conducts training modules and provides advice for the Federal and State Governments, along with First Nations organisations including NTRB/SPs and PBCs.

Free workshops are available until 30 June 2023; a venue and catering needs to be provided by the PBC.

For further details, contact Shane Carroll on 0411 472 833. Download the flyer for more information.

$10,000 for 2023 NAIDOC Week poster design

Posted: January 5th, 2023

A $10,000 cash prize is on offer for First Nations artists, aged 16 and over, who come up with the winning design for the 2023 NAIDOC Week poster. All artwork submitted must reflect the 2023 NAIDOC Week theme – For Our Elders – and, for the first time, group entries are permitted.

The poster competition is an iconic feature of NAIDOC Week (2-9 July in 2023) and has a rich and significant history, beginning in 1967 when the National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) first began producing posters.

In addition to the cash prize, the winning artist (or group of artists) will receive two tickets to the NAIDOC Awards ceremony. The competition closes 5pm, Monday, 6 February. Learn more about the competition and what judges look for when deciding on the winner.

Defence and Veterans Legal Service

Posted: December 8th, 2022

Did you know there is a legal service available at Legal Aid WA called the Defence and Veterans Legal Service (DAVLS)?

The DAVLS has been set up to assist people who want to share their story with the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.

They provide free and private legal advice about the Royal Commission into Defence and Veterans Suicide to members of the public including:

• people who are serving, or have served, in the Australian Defence Force (no matter time, length or service branch); and
• family members, carers and supporters of people who are serving, or have served, in the Australian Defence Force.

The DAVLS can help people share their experiences safely, protect their privacy, help them prepare a submission, and talk to them about their rights and protections.  They can also connect people with other legal and non-legal services if required. Click here to read the DAVLS pamphlet.

For further information, please visit their website at https://defenceveteranslegalservice.org.au or call 1800 33 1800.

Nyangumarta Warrarn Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) Plan 2022–2032

Posted: December 6th, 2022

Created through a process of consultation across Nyangumarta Country in WA’s northwest Pilbara and southwest Kimberley region in 2020 and 2021, the Nyangumarta Warrarn Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) Plan 2022–2032 builds on the previous IPA Plan of Management 2015–2020 which involved extensive consultations with the Nyangumarta community between 2010 and 2015.

Through four field trips over an 18-month period, the IPA plan drew from consultation and research conducted with Elders, rangers, cultural advisors and Nyangumarta community members to ensure as much information as possible was gained on how best to encapsulate the Nyangumarta values, practices, and beliefs regarding Culture and looking after Country.

The IPA plan is currently split into six values/categories:

1. Marrngumili – Nyangumarta Law and Culture
2. Yinta – Important Sites
3. Governance and Partnerships
4. Nyangumarta People and Pathways
5. Pirra Country (Great Sandy Desert)
6. Jurrar Country (80 Mile Beach)

The management plan is a living document that will be reviewed and updated when required.   The review process is through the MeRI framework, allowing a way to make change transparent on the management plan so progress can be tracked and adapted when necessary.

The  Nyangumarta Warrarn Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) Plan 2022–2032 can be viewed here