Posts By: Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation

Applications open for Reconciliation Australia’s ‘Indigenous Governance Awards 2021

Posted: February 4th, 2021

Reconciliation Australia’s ‘Indigenous Governance Program’ recognises, supports, and promotes strong Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander governance and self-determination. More than ever, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and leaders are drawing on 60,000 years plus of First Nations knowledge and culture to adapt to current events with resilience, creativity and decisiveness.

To acknowledge and share such success stories from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and organisations around Australia, each year, Reconciliation Australia runs their ‘Indigenous Governance Awards’. Applying for the awards is a great opportunity to reflect on the governance of your organisation or group and to receive expert advice based on your application (noting, all applications receive feedback from the judging panel).

There are three categories of award for outstanding examples of governance in Indigenous-led:

• non-incorporated initiatives or projects
• small to medium incorporated organisations (under $1 million annual revenue)
• large incorporated organisations ($1 million and over annual revenue)

Category winners will receive $20,000 to assist their organisation, project or initiative, and the highly commended winners in each category will each be awarded $10,000. Additionally, all finalists receive an awards package comprising:

• A 12-month partnership with a high profile corporate partner, who will provide mentoring and assistance in an area identified by the finalist.
• An award to commemorate their achievement.
• Travel for two members from each finalist organisation to attend the awards presentation event.
• A communications package of photos and footage from the judge’s site visit to their organisation.
• Promotion as a finalist in the Indigenous Governance Awards on the awards website and other coverage.

YMAC was honoured to have been acknowledged as a finalist in the ‘Indigenous Governance Awards 2018’. You can see more about this here.

Applications for the ‘Indigenous Governance Awards 2021’ are open now and will close on Wednesday, March 31, 2021.

To find out more about the awards, please visit their website here.

Should you need any assistance completing an application, please contact iga@reconciliation.org.au.

New Mid-West reserves created on Badimia Country

Posted: February 3rd, 2021

Five new conservation reserves in the Mid West have been created on Badimia Country as part of the State Government Plan for Our Parks initiative.

The Badimia traditional owners have been working collaboratively with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions’ Parks and Wildlife Service (DBCA) to create the reserves, which span more than 114,000 hectares.

The five Badimia conservation reserves comprise parts of two former pastoral leases – Lakeside and Burnerbinmah – that were previously purchased by the State Government for conservation, and unallocated Crown land at Kirkalocka and White Wells.

Proposed Aboriginal names for the reserves are also being considered in collaboration with the Badimia traditional owners.

The area contains multiple Aboriginal sites and significant cultural and pastoral heritage. The landscape provides habitat for 563 flora species and 162 fauna species, including many threatened and priority species, and is home to significant wetlands. The majority of Badimia Country is already a major drawcard for tourists during the spring wildflower season.

Congratulations to all on this achievement, which is another step forward to enable Traditional Owners to care for Country.

YMAC Office Closures 1 February 2021

Posted: February 1st, 2021

Following the 31 January State Government announcement of a five-day lockdown in the Perth metropolitan, Peel and South West regions of Western Australia, please be aware of the following:

• Perth: Office closed to visitors.
• Geraldton: Office closed to visitors.
• Port Hedland: Office closed to visitors.
• Denham: Office closed to visitors
• Broome: Office closed to visitors

Please be assured the safety and wellbeing of the communities in which we operate remain our highest priority. Staff across all YMAC regions will continue to work and provide services remotely. Staff can be contacted through their YMAC email and mobile phones.

Office closures will remain in place until at least 6pm Friday, 5 February 2021. Decisions about re-opening will be made as more information becomes available.

In the meantime, we hope everyone in our communities keeps safe and well as we work through these challenging times.

Please remember to keep up to date on the latest announcements via the Government agency links.

Government agencies: health information links

As the COVID-19 situation is continually evolving, the following links are useful resources to provide you with the latest information and advice to keep yourself safe:

https://healthywa.wa.gov.au/coronavirus

https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public

Applications for assistance to attend WACOSS’s Finding Ground: Building a better way back together conference now open

Posted: January 29th, 2021

On 22-24 February 2021, WACOSS will be hosting their Finding Ground: Building a better way back together conference in Fremantle, WA, and applications for those requesting financial assistance to attend are now open.

The focus of the conference will be to reflect on both challenges and achievements resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and the community sector’s response to it, and how the lessons learned throughout the response can be adapted to inform future service design and social policy.

For those interested in attending the conference, Lotterywest is providing subsidies to assist with travel, etc. for:

Regional Support ($800)

In recognition of the higher travel and accommodation costs experienced by people from regional WA to attend events in Perth, WACOSS are administering a Regional Support Subsidy to support the participation from regional Western Australians at the conference. This subsidy is only available if you register for the Full Conference Registration (both of the conference days) and the Networking Day, and you will not be reimbursed if you do not attend the conference, or register for a single day registration. To be eligible for reimbursement you will need to keep all receipts.

Perth Metro Small Community Sector organisation staff and volunteers ($300)

This subsidy is available for small community sector organisations that are unfunded and or staffed solely by volunteers. This subsidy is only available if you register for the Full Conference Registration (both of the conference days) and the Networking Day, and you will not be reimbursed if you do not attend the conference or register for a single day registration. Applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis taking into account funding available and the number of applicants.

Lived Experience/Disability Support / Low Income / Community Sector Volunteers ($300)

WACOSS have established a bursary to support people who are out of regular paid work and/or receiving income support, to attend the conference. This subsidy, once approved, will be applied upfront. The approved applicant will only need to pay a $15 registration fee. Applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis, taking into account funding available and the number and needs of applicants.

For more information, please visit the conference website (https://www.wacossconference.org.au/) or call Alenka Jeram from WACOSS on 08 6381 5300.

Otherwise, to apply for a subsidy, send an email to WACOSS via info@wacoss.org.au  outlining in a short paragraph which subsidy you are applying for and why you are eligible.

Note: Applications for all subsidies close at 4pm, Thursday, 4 February 2021.

Have your say on the Indigenous Voice proposals

Posted: January 27th, 2021

You are invited to a Zoom webinar to discuss the proposals for the Indigenous Voice.

Registrations for the first of a series of webinars, is now open –  to be held on Monday, 1 February, 2021.

The discussion with Professor Marcia Langton and Professor Tom Calma on the proposals and how people can get involved will be will be hosted by Dan Bourchier.

Professor Langton and Professor Calma are the co-chairs of the Senior Advisory Group guiding the Indigenous Voice co-design process.

The Interim Report detailing the Indigenous Voice proposals developed through the first stage of the process was released in early January, commencing the public consultation period.

You can view the proposals at https://voice.niaa.gov.au

Date: Monday, 1 February, 2021

Time: 10:00AM (AWST)

Topic: The Indigenous Voice proposals

Register in advance for this webinar:

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_2rZyB_MHSrGJQSoGoHSEJA

2021 State of Reconciliation in Australia Report released

Posted: January 22nd, 2021

The 2021 State of Reconciliation Report has been released, and it urges Australians to take a brave step to turn words into actions to encourage reconciliation to progress.

The Report assesses the current status of reconciliation and outlines some practical steps that need to be taken for Australians to continue the reconciliation process.

Reconciliation Australia, CEO Karen Mundine said:

“While we see greater support for reconciliation from the Australian people than ever before, we must be more determined than ever if we are to achieve the goals of the movement — a just, equitable, and reconciled Australia.

“Reconciliation must be about more than raising awareness and knowledge. The skills and knowledge gained must now motivate us to braver action.”

You can read the summary and full report here

2021 marks Reconciliation Australia’s 20 years as the lead body for reconciliation in Australia.

Indigenous Cultural Heritage Conference 2021

Posted: January 15th, 2021

The Taking Control of our Heritage – Indigenous Cultural Heritage Conference is scheduled to be held at the Grand Hyatt Melbourne from 27 to 29 October 2021.

The Conference is for all Traditional Owners, their organisations and those that work with them in the promotion, management and protection of Indigenous Cultural Heritage.

It provides the opportunity to meet, discuss, and develop programs, strategies and ideas to take control of Cultural Heritage in Australia.

Who Should Attend?

• Traditional Owners and others working in Indigenous Cultural Heritage and Native Title organisations
• Government officials
• Cultural Heritage professionals
• Institutional personnel
• Academics with a focus on Cultural Heritage or Indigenous Rights
• Organisations working with Traditional Owners on development proposals

For more information and to register click here

Have your say on Indigenous Voice proposals

Posted: January 14th, 2021

The second stage of the Indigenous Voice to Parliament co-design process has been launched, inviting all Australians to provide their feedback and comments on the proposals.

The Interim Report to the Australian Government, a discussion paper and other resources are now available online. Community consultations will be held over the next four months, people can participate via survey which will remain open for this period, or provide a submission by 31 March 2021.

Minister Wyatt said: “The Government is particularly interested in ensuring that any Voice structure in its final form leads to a greater say for Indigenous Australians on matters that affect them and real changes on the ground. It will also ensure there is a shared responsibility for dealing with these matters – not only with jurisdictions but with Indigenous Australians as well.”

You can provide feedback and find out more about consultations at https://voice.niaa.gov.au.

Support for reconciliation in Australia higher than ever

Posted: December 15th, 2020

The ‘2020 Australian Reconciliation Barometer’ (ARB) shows that support for reconciliation is growing and that more Australians know how to get involved. According to the report, the ARB indicates a steady improvement, however inequality and racism against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is still an issue.

The survey included 495 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and 1988 general community members, across all states and territories. The report outlines five dimensions of reconciliation:

• Race Relations – All Australians understand and value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous cultures, rights and experiences, which results in stronger relationships based on trust and respect that are free of racism.
• Equality and Equity – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples participate equally in a range of life opportunities and the unique rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are recognised and upheld.
• Unity – An Australian society that values and recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and heritage as a proud part of a shared identity.
• Institutional Integrity – The active support of reconciliation by the nation’s political, business and community structures.
• Historical Acceptance – All Australians understand and accept the wrongs of the past and the impact of these wrongs. Australia makes amends for the wrongs of the past and ensures these wrongs are never repeated.

Reconciliation Australia said “Reconciliation gives Australians a framework for understanding our race-relations and provides a framework for moving forward to a reconciled future.”

For more information about the 2020 Australian Reconciliation Barometer click here.

To download the summary report click here.