Posts By: Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation

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

Thoughts wanted on IPA program

Posted: November 29th, 2022

Operating for more than 23 years, the Indigenous Protected Areas (IPA) program is built on a community-led approach to caring for Country and keeping culture strong.

The Aboriginal-owned organisation Ninti One is talking to people across Australia to find out what people think of the IPA program to enhance its future design and funding decisions.

Learn more about the evaluation in a video from Professor Tom Calma.

Surveys close Monday, 9 January 2023. A community report with key findings will be made public by the National Indigenous Australians Agency later next year. For more details, email IPAevaluation@nintione.com.au.

Boost for Gascoyne region as Carnarvon office opens doors

Posted: November 28th, 2022

Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation’s (YMAC) new Carnarvon office celebrated its official opening on 25 November.

Located at 4 Francis Street, the new office is designed to support YMAC members and Prescribed Bodies Corporate (PBCs) in the Gascoyne region. Read the media release.

Community meeting for Badimia language project

Posted: November 21st, 2022

Calling all Badimia Elders, families and individuals – the Bundiyarra Irra Wangga Language Centre wants to hear from you.

A community meeting is being held from 9am-5pm, Wednesday, 30 November, and Thursday, 1 December, at Mt Magnet’s Recreation Centre to develop an online Badimia language learning portal. Catering is provided.

The Badimia language is falling into disuse and considered severely endangered. This project aims to document the language so it can live on through the generations. Download the information flyer to read more.

For more information, call 08 9920 7900, email language@irrawangga.org.au or visit their Facebook page.

Mid West workshops on ACH Act

Posted: November 19th, 2022

Three government-run workshops on the proposed guidelines for the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2021 will be held in the Mid West in late November and early December:

• Geraldton: 10am-2.30pm, Monday, 28 November, Batavia Coast Conference Centre, The Gerald Apartment Hotel, Level 1, 25 Cathedral Avenue.
• Meekatharra: 10.30am-2pm, Wednesday, 30 November, Town Hall, 54 Main Street.
• Mt Magnet: 10am-2pm, Thursday, 1 December, ANZAC Hall, corner Hepburn and Naughton Streets.

A Statewide, online-only session will also be held 9am-1.30pm, Thursday, 1 December.

The workshops will provide an opportunity to discuss the proposed Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Management Code, which details a required due diligence assessment and proposed activity and consultation guidelines that will set the standard for engaging First Nations people about their cultural heritage in the new act.

Another key discussion point relates to setting levels for ground-disturbance activities that could cause harm to Aboriginal cultural heritage to determine whether an approval would be required (and whether it should be a permit or more comprehensive management plan).

With the introduction of the new heritage laws for Western Australia scheduled to take place in 2023, this is a critical opportunity to provide feedback on these important documents. YMAC encourages people to attend to have their voices heard.

Register for the workshops for catering purposes. Morning tea is provided beforehand, along with a working lunch.