Posts By: Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation

State Long Term Strategy for Aboriginal Empowerment – Have your Say

Posted: December 11th, 2019

Aboriginal people are encouraged to contribute to a new discussion paper to help shape the State’s long-term plan to improve social, economic, health and cultural outcomes.

A Path Forward: Developing the Western Australian Government’s Aboriginal Empowerment Strategy, is now open for public comment until 28 February 2020.

The discussion paper takes a whole of government approach and outlines measures to strengthen co-ordination, co-operation and accountability. This will make it easier to see where progress is being made and where Government needs to direct more effort.

The discussion paper is available at https://www.wa.gov.au

6 December – another 25 year anniversary for YMAC.

Posted: December 6th, 2019

6 December marks another 25 year anniversary for YMAC.

In 1994, then named Yamatji Barna Baba Maaja Aboriginal Corporation (YBBMAC), the organisation achieved full Native Title Representative Body (NTRB) status under the Native Title Act (1993), initially to the Geraldton (Yamatji) region.

Achieving this status enabled YBBMAC to manage claims in the Geraldton representative area and established the organisation’s main objective for the next 25 years. In that time YMAC has achieved 26 native title determinations with Traditional Owners.

While our focus remains on achieving native title, YMAC’s services have grown to meet the changing needs of the Traditional Owners we work with. We now also offer a range of services that support Aboriginal Corporations to reach their own milestones in caring for Country and supporting their communities.

YMAC looks forward to the next phase of our partnerships with Traditional Owners throughout the Yamatji and Marlpa regions of WA.

Pilbara Women’s Forum Draft Report

Posted: December 4th, 2019

Pilbara women are invited to contribute to the Pilbara Aboriginal Women’s Forum draft report that addresses issues such as housing, culture and language, health and more.

Women are invited to attend a forum where they can contribute amendments to the draft report on the day. You can read the  Pilbara Aboriginal Women’s Forum DRAFT REPORT  here.

The consultation is being held by Senator Sue Lines on Wednesday, 11 December at the Ngurin Cultural Centre, 31 Roe Street, Ieramugadu (Roebourne). Please arrive at 9:30am for a 10am start until 2pm.

Click here to RSVP .

A bus will be organised to pick participants up in South Hedland on the morning of the forum and returning in the afternoon. If you would like to put your name down for a seat on the bus please email emma.shearing@aph.gov.au

If you are unable to attend but would like to contribute to the draft, please send any amendments/comments to susan.sutherland@aph.gov.au

Have your say on Closing the Gap

Posted: December 2nd, 2019

The Coalition of Peaks, with the WA State Government, want to talk to your organisation about how to improve the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

A new National Agreement on Closing the Gap is being developed, setting out how Australian governments and the Coalition of Peaks will work together over the next ten years on closing the gap in life outcomes for ATSI people.

Forums have been held throughout Western Australia with the final one being held in Geraldton on Wednesday, 4 December 2019.

You need to RSVP to register your attendance.

Registered attendees will be emailed a Closing the Gap Forum Agenda beforehand.

If you require any assistance, email the Aboriginal Policy and Coordination Unit (Department of the Premier and Cabinet), which is supporting this event, at AboriginalPolicy@dpc.wa.gov.au.

2019 Yamatji Annual Regional Meeting

Posted: November 27th, 2019

Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation’s Yamatji members Annual Regional Meeting is on this Saturday, 30 November 2019 and will take place in the Town Hall, 8 Jose Street, Mullewa.

The meeting will commence at 9:30am sharp.

YMAC Yamatji members please contact the Geraldton office to confirm your attendance – (08) 6552 6222.

If you can’t attend, we encourage proxies. For further information on proxies, please refer to the Annual Regional Meeting package mailed to all members, or contact your nearest YMAC office.

Lunch will be catered.

Please note that YMAC is not funded to pay travel allowance for the attendance of members at this meeting.

YMAC News Issue 39

Posted: November 11th, 2019

The latest issue of YMAC News is available online, to download a copy click here

Help design the Indigenous Tourism Fund to increase opportunities

Posted: November 4th, 2019

The National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) has commenced a consultation process for the implementation of the $40m Indigenous Tourism Fund. They are encouraging governments, organisations and individuals to participate in this opportunity help to define the design of the fund.

NIAA wants to ensure the fund is implemented to provide value, focus on gaps and barriers to success, and increases opportunities in the Indigenous tourism industry.

The link to the discussion paper and the Minister’s media release are below:

• Discussion paper: https://www.niaa.gov.au/indigenous-affairs/economic-development/indigenous-tourism-fund-consultation
• Media release: https://ministers.pmc.gov.au/wyatt/2019/consultation-strengthen-and-grow-indigenous-tourism

The consultation period is open until Friday 22 November 2019. If you need more information, please contact the NIAA at tourism@niaa.gov.au

YMAC Annual Report 2019 and Highlights 2018/19 now available

Posted: November 1st, 2019

YMAC’s Annual Report 2019 and Highlight 2018/19 are both available to download from this website.

Copies of each publication are being posted to members and additional copies are available also at YMAC offices.

Congratulations to Pilbara Aboriginal Voice Co-Chairs – appointed to WAAAC

Posted: October 30th, 2019

Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation (YMAC) wishes to congratulate Pilbara Aboriginal Voice (Kakurrka Muri) (PAV) Co-Chairs, Danny Brown and Linda Dridi, on their recently announced appointments to the Western Australian Aboriginal Advisory Council (WAAAC).

The WAAAC is a statutory board under the Aboriginal Affairs Planning Authority Act 1972, and will play a key role in working with the State Government on priorities, including the development of an Aboriginal Empowerment Strategy, Closing the Gap, Aboriginal youth suicide and reducing incarceration of Aboriginal people in custody.

Both Danny and Linda have been working with the other interim members of this group since February of this year, advising the State Government on how it can better engage with Aboriginal communities to ensure their voices are heard when it comes to decisions being made that affect them, developing a Terms of Reference and suitable structure to achieve its objectives.

YMAC commends the PAV Co-Chairs for their work to-date representing the Pilbara region at this level, and looks forward to continuing to support them in our capacity as acting secretariat for PAV to see the positive outcomes they accomplish in future as members of the WAAAC.