Posts By: Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation

OPPORTUNITY – Audition for Bran Nue Dae next week

Posted: May 23rd, 2019

Opportunity to Audition for Bran Nue Day

When Jimmy Chi’s book, Bran Nue Day premiered as a musical on a Perth stage in 1990 it placed Indigenous voices at the centre of the narrative and gave those voices volume like they had not had before. It is really exciting to know there is an opportunity for you or someone you know to add your voice to be part of the 30th anniversary tour of Bran Nue Day.

The final round of auditions for this tour will take place in Broome – where the story was born – across three days next week on 31 May, 1 and 2 June. You have until this Monday 27 May to register.

This is an opportunity for the production team to work with the people who have already auditioned and for those of you who didn’t get a chance to showcase your talents the first time.

The 30th anniversary tour will be driven by the production’s original director, Andrew Ross, and Bangarra dancer and Yawuru woman from Broome Tara Gower joins as Choreographer.

In 1990, Bran Nue Day was recognised nationally with the prestigious Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards as an outstanding achievement in music and theatre. It takes intelligence and courage to bring crucial topics to a broader audience, and do so in such an engaging way.

It created conversations that we needed to have, and those conversations are still needed today, in 2019. We hope this 30th anniversary production empowers a new generation to carry the important messages of recognition, reconciliation and reclaiming identity to Australia again.

To find out more please contact Naomi Pigram : naomipigram@lfishy.com or see the Bran Nue Day Audition Flyer

Nanda Native Title Determination

Posted: May 9th, 2019

At an on-Country Federal Court hearing on 28 November 2018 at Kalbarri Foreshore in WA – the Nanda people were formally recognised by the Federal Court as native title holders, after a 24-year long legal process. About 300 people attended the hearing.

The Determination Area covers about 17,000 square kilometres of Nanda traditional country and encompasses: the town of Kalbarri, Kalbarri National Park, the Zuytdorp Nature Reserve and the Toolonga Nature Reserve. While all Country is important to the Nanda people, the area around the Murchison River is of particular significance as are Tamala and Coolcalalya. The Nanda people have negotiated the recognition of exclusive possession native title rights over important areas in the Determination Area. This includes land at paradise flats, around Bully, Wilgie Mia, Mooliabatanya and Syphon pools.

To view the Nanda native title determination video click on the link below.

Federal Labor’s funding boost for Caring for Country policy

Posted: May 9th, 2019

Photo: Malgana Country. Photo by Jose Kalpers from YMAC, with the permission of the Traditional Owners

A key election commitment has been made to Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians to protect our country’s most precious assets.  Federal Labor announced its Caring For Country policy over the weekend – if they win government they will double the number of Indigenous Rangers, and double the funding for Indigenous Protected Areas over five years, as well as support these programs over a longer term, awarding 6 year contracts.

These important programs enable Rangers and communities to place a greater focus on protecting biodiversity— animals, plants and other species —as well as to conserving cultural resources, like sacred sites and rock art.

This pledge recognises the importance of the role Traditional Owners and Indigenous communities as care takers of our country. Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation (YMAC) urges ALL political parties to at least match this level of commitment, and will hold all of them to their election promises.

To learn more about Labor’s commitment and policies, go here

YMAC celebrates 25 years

Posted: April 18th, 2019

On 15 April 2019 Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation (YMAC) marked its 25^th Anniversary since it was originally incorporated on 15 April 1994, under the name ‘Yamatji Barna Baba Maaja Aboriginal Corporation’. Full representative body status was achieved under the Native Title Act later that same year on 6 December.

Since it began operating, the Native Title Representative Body (NTRB) has seen thousands of Traditional Owners gain recognition of native title, and today, YMAC represents more than 20 Traditional Owner groups.

YMAC Co-Chairperson – Yamatji Region, Peter Windie said that native title determinations are a key focus for YMAC, and his big picture vision for all claim groups is to achieve determinations, reuniting every language group back with their Country.

“One thing Native Title has given us is the empowerment and ability to fight together for a common goal, and this has brought us closer together with other Traditional Owners,” Mr Windie said.

YMAC Co-Chairperson – Pilbara Region, Natalie Parker, said that having native title for all language groups recognised; helping people get back to Country; and passing knowledge onto younger generations was important.

“It means so much to me. Without our Country, our Mother, we wouldn’t be here. She is our provider and our keeper,” Ms Parker said.

A series of activities, and special publication to mark this quarter century of working alongside Traditional Owners to achieve recognition of Country are planned as part of YMAC’s 25th anniversary celebrations.

The Thiin-Mah Warriyangka Tharrkari Jiwarli people celebrate native title

Posted: April 18th, 2019

Photo: Justice Bernard Murphy with the Thiin-Mah Warriyangka Tharrkari Jiwarli people at the native title determination

At a Federal Court hearing on 16 April 2019 – at Gascoyne Junction, on neighbouring Yingaarda Country, WA – the Thiin-Mah Warriyangka Tharrkari Jiwarli (Thin-mar, Worry-anga, Thuc-ari, Ji-warli) people were formally recognised by the Federal Court as native title holders.

The judgement made by Justice Murphy recognised the native title rights and interests held by the Combined Thiin-Mah Warriyangka Tharrkari Jiwarli peoples’ in relation to the land covered by the Determination Area.

The determination area covers approximately 6,804 square kilometres of land lying within the Shires of Ashburton, Carnarvon and Upper Gascoyne.

The Thiin-Mah Warriyangka Tharrkari Jiwarli people have maintained a traditional connection to this area since time immemorial, with a vibrant living culture maintained through stories, spiritual connections to the ancestors and Country, caring for and managing Country and waters, and by passing on traditional knowledge through each generation. Thiin-Mah Warriyangka Tharrkari Jiwarli people have a strong connection to their land and waters through their intrinsic local knowledge of its natural resources and the land.

Traditional Owner, Herbert Eagles, said, “We stand on the shoulders of our ancestors, and I know that they would be proud that our connection to Country has been honoured today by the Federal Court.

“We can now look forward to the future and creating a legacy for our children and our children’s children,” Mr Eagles said.

Traditional Owner Ben Roberts added, “Today means everything – Ngurra – Country. It’s been a good journey with the people, we have walked together, and will continue to walk together every step of the way – to see a different world, to see a different future. This is for the past and the present, this is for the children,” said Ben Roberts.

To view the full media release click here

YMAC News Issue 37

Posted: March 26th, 2019

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

Review of the Aboriginal Heritage Act

Posted: March 19th, 2019

On 7 March Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ben Wyatt launched a discussion paper addressing long overdue changes to the State’s Aboriginal Heritage Act (1972).

YMAC has long advocated for an overhaul of the Act, and it’s great to see that not just an overhaul, but a repealing of the existing Act and new Aboriginal heritage legislation is being proposed.

Aboriginal heritage sites across the State not only hold deep cultural significance for Aboriginal people, they are iconic and in many cases internationally recognised.

YMAC believes it is particularly important that we see change with respect to ensuring Aboriginal people have a strong say in an appeal process on decisions affecting their heritage and land.

Community consultation starts this week

A number of information sessions are planned to be held all over the State, including:

• THIS Thursday 22 March in Geraldton
• 26 March in Esperance
• 28 March in Carnarvon
• 10 April in Tom Price
• 11 April in Roebourne
• 12 April in South Hedland

YMAC encourages Traditional Owners to get involved and attend these sessions.  For timing and location details, as well as other locations throughout the State, click here.

The discussion paper and details on how to get involved in the review can be found at http://www.dplh.wa.gov.au

National Close the Gap Day – 21 March 2019

Posted: March 14th, 2019

The Close the Gap campaign is about improving health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It is a highly regarded movement for Indigenous Health Equality that has shaped government policy. It is led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and supported by mainstream health and advocacy organisations from around the country.

Why is closing the gap so important?

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples can expect to live at least 10 years fewer than other Australians. Babies born to Aboriginal mothers die at more than twice the rate of other Australian babies, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experience higher rates of preventable illnesses such as heart disease, kidney disease and diabetes. The mortality rates for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is on par with some of the world’s most impoverished nations.

“Be part of the generation that closes this gap forever”.

To sign the Petition to Close the Gap click here.

To find out more about the campaign and how you or your organisation can get involved click here.

YMAC welcomes WA Government’s planned expansion of the Conservation Estate

Posted: March 14th, 2019

Photo: Malgana Country.  Photo by Jose Kalpers from YMAC, with the permission of the Traditional Owners.

Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation (YMAC) has welcomed plans by the WA Government to expand the State’s conservation estate, creating five million hectares of new parks and reserves over the next five years.

The expansion will go hand-in-hand with the principle of jointly managing, and in some cases jointly vesting, these new reserves with Traditional Owners, which means valuable training and employment opportunities.

YMAC is proud to already be assisting such ranger groups, through the Nyangumarta and Malgana land and sea management programs.

YMAC looks forward to assisting with the consultation process associated with Government’s ‘Plan for Our Parks’ and will strongly encourage Traditional Owners to get involved.

To download YMAC’s media statement click here.

To view the Plan visit: pws.dbca.wa.gov.au/planforourparks.

Premier McGowan’s media statement.