Posts By: Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation

NAIDOC Week 2022 Feature: Yamatji on Country

Posted: July 6th, 2022

Today, YMAC acknowledges and pays tribute to those strong leaders in our Yamatji region who Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up! for improved conditions and opportunities for themselves and their communities, as well as future generations to come.

The second Yamatji on Country is set to take place 3 and 4 August 2022. These events are organised at the request of YMAC’s Yamatji Regional Committee and are intended to provide a forum for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from across the region to come together to build relationships, discuss issues important to them, identify solutions to address concerns, and celebrate achievements to-date. They are also an occasion for government and other stakeholders to attend, engage, and collaborate on how to best make positive changes.

Those involved in the inaugural Yamatji on Country were resolved in their position to oppose and reject the draft Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Bill 2021 on the basis that it contradicted and undermined the self-determination rights and privileges of Traditional Owners, and restricted their voice, dismissed their cultural authority and denied any delegation in decision-making processes that involve protecting and preserving land, culture, language, heritage and interests. This united front helped to inform and fortify YMAC’s broader advocacy work on this matter and demonstrated to the State Government the strength and resilience of the community to stand up for what they believe is right and fair.

Continuing in this vein, the 2022 gathering will see our Yamatji community leaders once again leading important conversations and standing up to voice their positions when they meet with other decision-makers and influencers. To this end, we commend them for their commitment to ensuring real and meaningful change is realised to the benefit of not only them and their communities now, but for generations to come, across the entire region.

For more information about this year’s Yamatji on Country, click here.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this article may contain images of deceased people.

NAIDOC Week 2022 Feature: Constitutional Recognition and Reform

Posted: July 5th, 2022

Today, YMAC acknowledges and pays tribute to the many strong leaders in our regions who Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up! for constitutional reform and representation. In particular, we would like to commend Mr Peter Windie, YMAC’s Co-Chairperson – Yamatji Region, for his ongoing commitment to this critical issue.

Mr Windie is a Thudgari man who played an integral leadership role in his peoples’ native title determination in 2009. He was also an applicant on the combined Thiin-Mah Warriyangka Tharrkari Jiwarli Native Title Claim, determined in 2019.

In addition to these and many other achievements, Mr Windie has also been a mainstay in representing YMAC’s support for the Uluru Statement from the Heart and our advocacy relating to constitutional recognition.

When it was extended, YMAC welcomed and accepted the invitation contained in the Statement, and we continue to walk together with other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in a movement of the Australian people for a better future. YMAC is also a strong supporter of the Statement’s “call for the establishment of a First Nations Voice enshrined in the Constitution”: now a key national issue following the 2022 Federal Election and the Albanese Labor Government’s commitment to implement the Statement in full.

YMAC believes the Australian Constitution should include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and acknowledge their long experience of colonisation and dispossession.  It should recognise their ongoing connection to Country, as well as their rights to protect and care for their ancestral lands.  Further, it must also provide for the establishment of a permanent advisory body to enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to inform and influence policies, practices, and projects that directly impact them and their communities.

Taking a lead when it comes to this critical work, Mr Windie has represented YMAC at several related events. This has included the earlier Regional Dialogues, which culminated in the ‘First Nations National Constitutional Convention’ at Uluru in May 2017. And it was at this convention the Uluru Statement from the Heart was borne.

Reflecting on this journey so far and the promise anticipated next steps might bring, Mr Windie recently shared:

“Real and practical change is needed if we are to ever overcome the disadvantages we face. Recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Constitution and establishing the Makarrata Commission will be significant steps towards Australia telling the truth about and genuinely acknowledging our history; while creating a Voice to Parliament enshrined in the Constitution will better enable us to shape our future.

It means a lot to me to have been involved in this very important and meaningful movement, and I am excited to think of the benefits and possibilities it could produce. Now, I just hope that the Prime Minister keeps to his word, and we soon see the full realisation of all that is contained in the Uluru Statement from the Heart.”

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this article may contain images of deceased people.

NAIDOC Week 2022 Feature: Native Title Rights and Recognition

Posted: July 4th, 2022

Today, YMAC acknowledges and pays tribute to the many strong leaders in our regions – past, present, and emerging – who Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up! for their native title rights and recognition.

The journey to having native title determined is often long and always hard-fought. These leaders have demonstrated significant resilience and resolve to ensure their rights are recognised and will be for generations to come.

Once recognised, native title holders have rights to enter and remain on Country, camp, hunt, fish, gather and use resources of the land and waters, engage in rituals and ceremonies, protect areas of cultural significance, and make decisions about using the land in accordance with traditional law.

Across both our representative regions, YMAC has proudly supported groups – each with their own distinct culture and identity – to achieve over 30 native title determinations to-date, and we will continue to support Traditional Owners on their native title journeys.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this article may contain images of deceased people.

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NAIDOC Week 2022

Posted: July 1st, 2022

NAIDOC Week begins this Sunday, 3 July.  This year’s NAIDOC Week theme is ‘Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!’ which must be a genuine commitment by all of us to continue to get up, stand up and show up every day. Whether it’s seeking proper environmental, cultural and heritage protections, Constitutional change, a comprehensive process of truth-telling, working towards treaties, or calling out racism — we must do it together.

During this week, YMAC will acknowledge, honour, and celebrate many of those who have, and those who continue to, Get Up! Stand Up! and Show Up! There are also many events in our regions celebrating this important week. Below are links to a few:

Perth

Carnarvon

Port Hedland

National NAIDOC Committee

NAIDOC week is a time to recognise the many who have driven and led change in our communities over generations, the heroes and champions of change, of equal rights and basic human rights. Check here for daily updates.

YMAC hopes others will join us this coming week in celebrating not only Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s achievements, but the history, rich culture, and survival of the oldest continuing living culture on earth.

Registrations Open: Phase 2 of the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2021 co-design process

Posted: June 30th, 2022

The State Government’s intended co-design process in relation to the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2021 (WA) (ACH Act) is moving into the second phase, giving stakeholders the opportunity to provide feedback throughout Western Australia.

This process will involve consultations regarding the creation of the regulations, statutory guidelines and operational policies associated with the ACH Act, which are yet to be developed.

The consultation workshops will take place throughout the Mid-West and Pilbara during July and August.

Based on feedback received during Phase 1, several of the workshops will be for Aboriginal participants only with workshops open to the general public held the following day.

YMAC strongly encourages those who have an interest in this important issue to get directly involved in the State Government’s process. You can find out more, including how to register for one of their upcoming workshops, here.

Alternatively, you can contact the Department of Planning, Lands, and Heritage directly by emailing achimplementation@dplh.wa.gov.au.

Training Opportunity – Disputes and Conflict on the Board

Posted: June 27th, 2022

Conflict and disputes are stressful events, and the success of your corporation can depend on how effectively they are managed.

ORIC are offering an intermediate-level workshop for Directors seeking information on what the law requires you to do when a conflict or complaint arises between members or Directors of your corporation.

DETAILS

Thursday, 30 June 2022

1.00pm to 4.00pm AEST (3 hours)

Online by Zoom

Although the information in this workshop is aimed at Directors, members and senior staff of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations are also eligible to attend.

ORIC will cover the registration fee for attendees. To register, click here

For more information, contact the ORIC Training team at Training@oric.gov.au or on 1800 622 431.

Inaugural Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Council – Nominations NOW OPEN!

Posted: June 27th, 2022

The State Government is seeking members for the inaugural Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Council (ACH Council).

The ACH Council will be the State Government’s peak strategic body for Aboriginal cultural heritage matters, providing advice to the Aboriginal Affairs Minister on Aboriginal cultural heritage matters, designate local Aboriginal cultural heritage services, and approve Aboriginal cultural heritage permits and management plans.

The ACH Council will consist of two Aboriginal chairpersons and include up to nine members on the council, with a requirement for the majority to be Aboriginal people.

Knowledge or experience in Aboriginal cultural heritage is required. Other areas of expertise that may be considered include archaeology, anthropology, engineering, and urban and regional planning.

The call out for nominations opens 23 June 2022 and will close at 5pm on Friday 22 July 2022.

To nominate click here or to find out more, call (08) 6551 8002.

Round five RED Grants NOW Open!

Posted: June 22nd, 2022

The State Government has opened the fifth round of the Regional Economic Development (RED) Grants program.

The RED Grants program is a State Government initiative that invests in locally driven projects that support efforts to create long-term economic growth and job sustainability in our regions.

Eligible applicants can apply for the funding for individual projects that support jobs, expand or diversify industries, develop skills or capabilities, increase business productivity, and attracts new investment to the regions.

Applications are now open and close on August 24, 2022.

More information about the RED Grants program is available here

2022 PBC Regional Forum & Compensation Workshop

Posted: June 21st, 2022

The National Native Title Council (NNTC), in conjunction with YMAC and the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA), are hosting a PBC Regional Forum on Tuesday, 26 and Wednesday, 27 July. The forum will be followed by a workshop on Thursday, 28 July, which will provide information on compensation to native title groups and PBCs. Both events will be held at The Woolshed (21 Robinson Street) in Carnarvon.  

PBC Directors from YMAC’s Pilbara, Gascoyne, Murchison, and Mid West regions are invited. NIAA will cover travel and accommodation costs for two representatives per PBC. Additional PBC Directors are welcome to attend, however, this will be at their expense.

The PBC Regional Forum provides an opportunity for PBCs to hear about the work being carried out by the NNTC on national policy reform that will impact PBCs into the future.  Several sessions at the forum will be facilitated discussions on the future focus for PBCs, examples of decision-making structures, and how collaboration and networking works across your region.

At the compensation workshop, attendees will receive information about the High Court native title compensation decision for the town of Timber Creek.  In this decision, the High Court explained how compensation could be valued and calculated where native title rights have been taken away by the government. Information about different options native title holders may have to get native title compensation, the assistance and resources that will be required and what people can do to prepare for making a compensation claim or starting settlement negotiations with the government will also be presented.

For more information about these events, please contact YMAC Director of Projects, Kirsty Anderson, in our Perth office (E: kanderson@ymac.org.au; P: 0447 117 405).

To register your attendance, please contact YMAC Business Support Officer, Adrienne Cameron, in our Geraldton office (E: acameron@ymac.org.au; P: 08 9965 6222).