Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation

Sep10 2012

Language programs in Geraldton

Posted: September 10th, 2012

Filed under: Badimia, Bundiyarra, Gnulli, Irra-Wangga Geraldton Language Program, Malgana, Nanda, Wajarri, Wajarri Dictionary

The Bundiyarra Irra Wangga Language program offers a variety of Indigenous language classes and workshops. These include:

Language Awareness Community Workshops on the languages of the Murchison-Gascoyne Regions (including Badimaya, Malgana, Nhanda, Wajarri and Yinggarda).
Community Wajarri Language Classes (held on Saturday mornings at the Bundiyarra complex)

The Master and Apprentice Language Teaching Model; where younger people (apprentices) learn to speak language with support from older speakers (masters)

Community Language Nests focusing on the immersion of children between 0 – 5 in their local language

Bundiyarra Irra Wangga also has a range of educational material available, including books, posters, flashcards and the recently completed Wajarri Dictionary.

Irra Wangga strives to preserve, maintain and promote the languages of the Murchison-Gascoyne regions of Western Australia, which are becoming increasingly threatened and endangered.

The language program is currently looking for sponsors to help with the delivery of language related activities that assist the whole community to grow in understanding, pride and the learning of Aboriginal languages.

If you are interested in sponsoring any of the language program’s activities or events, please contact Jennifer Kniveton, Language Program Coordinator, on (08) 9920 7900.

For more information on any of these programs, or to purchase educational materials, please contact Irra Wangga directly on (08) 9920 7950.

YMAC is a proud supporter of the Bundiyarra Irra Wangga language program

Sep6 2012

Native Title Stories: Victor Mourambine

Posted: September 6th, 2012

Filed under: native title, Pilbara Regional Committee, Victor Mourambine, Wajarri, Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation

Watch Yamatji committee member Victor Mourambine reflect on his experiences of native title in Austalia.

This is the fourth in a series of interviews with our committee and board members, in which they share their stories of country and culture. See previous interviews with Ben Roberts, Susan Oakley, and Diane Stewart.

Aug31 2012

Native Title Stories: Diane Stewart

Posted: August 31st, 2012

Filed under: Diane Stewart, native title, Nyangumarta, Pilbara, Pilbara Regional Committee, Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation, YMAC Board of Directors

YMAC would like to welcome Diane Stewart as the latest member of our Board of Directors. Ms Stewart is a Nyangumarta woman from the East Pilbara who loves spending time on country. Watch her video below to hear her stories about country, family and culture.

Diane Stewart, YMAC Director.

This is the third in a series of interviews with our Committee and Board Members, in which they share their stories of country and culture. See previous interviews with Yamatji Directors Ben Roberts and Susan Oakley.

Aug27 2012

YMAC Co-Chair speaks in the national media about the future of Njamal country

Posted: August 27th, 2012

Filed under: Fortescue Metals Group (FMG), James Anaya, Mrs Doris Eaton, National Congress of Australia's First Peoples, Njamal, Pilbara, United Nations

The Njamal people of the Pilbara region of WA welcomed a visit by United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, James Anaya on their country last week. Professor Anaya visited the site of a joint venture between the Njamal people and Fortescue Metals Group (FMG), the North Star Project.

The Njamal People and FMG entered into an agreement in December 2011 that will protect significant cultural sites and lead to the creation of a joint venture to run a mining operation on an orebody adjacent to FMG’s proposed North Star mine.

During the visit, YMAC Co-Chair and Njamal elder Mrs. Doris Eaton spoke to Fairfax media about the joint venture and what it means for Njamal people and country.
Read the full story in the Sydney Morning Herald here.

Professor Anaya had the opportunity to meet with the Njamal people and representatives of FMG to learn more about this unique land access agreement. He also visited significant Njamal heritage sites, including rock art complexes, and spoke with the Njamal people about the effect that mining has had on their community.

“I’m grateful to the Njamal people for the opportunity to meet with them on their country, along with representatives of FMG, and learn about a unique and potentially beneficial arrangement with the mining industry”, Professor Anaya said.

Mrs Eaton said “This trip was a good opportunity to show Professor Anaya and the wider community what the Njamal People have achieved through our agreement with FMG. It is important that people see the beauty of our country first hand so that we can all work together to protect our culture, heritage and stories

Aug23 2012

Free business workshops in Geraldton and Carnarvon

Posted: August 23rd, 2012

Filed under: Carnarvon, Geraldton, Indigenous Business Australia

Indigenous Business Australia (IBA) is offering free Into Business workshops this week in Carnarvon and Geraldton to assist Aboriginal people to fully investigate and research their business ideas before taking the leap into business ownership.

The workshops are run in three parts, with part A: Your business idea, goals and expectations, running on:

Tuesday, 18 September at Fascine Lodge, 34 David Brand Drive, Carnarvon
Wednesday, 19 September at Small Business Centre, 162 Marine Tce, Geraldton.

For more information and to register for the workshops, call 9229 1408 or 1800 107 107, or visit IBA’s website.

Indigenous Business Australia (IBA) is a commercially focused organisation that promotes and encourages self-management, self-sufficiency and economic independence for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. They aim to identify and pursue opportunities that enable Indigenous Australians to create wealth, accumulate assets and achieve their financial aspirations.

Aug21 2012

Applications Now Open to Attend National Indigenous Youth Leadership Conference

Posted: August 21st, 2012

Filed under: Foundational for Young Australians., National Centre for Indigenous Excellence, National Indigenous Youth Leadership Academy, NILYA

The National Indigenous Youth Leadership Academy (NIYLA) is holding its first national conference in Sydney later this year, and applications are now open for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people aged 15-18 years who would like to attend.

NILYA is a national network of Indigenous youth which promotes cultural empowerment, innovation and social change through community movements. The confence will provide those who attend with opportunities to network, build leadership skills, and play an active role in creating lasting change for Australian Indigenous communities.

The conference will be held at the National Centre for Indigenous Excellence in Sydney, from 29 September to 4 October 2012. Click here to read the eligibility requirements and download the application form. Applications close 1 September 2012.

For more information, visit the NILYA website, or email April Long on April.long@niyla.org

Aug20 2012

Nyiyaparli people sign major iron ore mining agreement

Posted: August 20th, 2012

Filed under: agreement, BHP Billiton, Newman, Nyiyaparli, Pilbara, YMAC

The Nyiyaparli people of the Pilbara region of WA have announced that they have entered into a major mining agreement with BHP Billiton Iron Ore (BHPBIO). The agreement covers all of BHPBIO’s iron ore operations within the Nyiyaparli people’s native title claim and offers substantial heritage protection, financial benefits, and non-financial benefits to the Nyiyaparli people.

Click here to download the full media release from our website.

YMAC congratulates the Nyiyaparli people on the successful negotiations.

Aug17 2012

Midwest Aboriginal Groups Making a Difference in Their Region

Posted: August 17th, 2012

Filed under: Combined Universities Centre for Rurual Health, CUCRH, Geraldton, MAOA, Midwest Aboriginal Organisation Alliance, NACC, Rural Health

The Midwest Aboriginal Organisation Alliance (MAOA) is a participatory action research group working towards greater community engagement in Indigenous issues. MAOA works collaboratively with community, industry and government partners to address key issues affecting the futures of midwest Aboriginal people.

YMAC would like to congratulate MAOA on being announced as a finalist in the 2012 Northern Agricultural Catchments Council Sustainability and Innovation awards.

See the MAOA’s promotional video below for an insight into the project’s community aspirations, achievements and partnerships.

Aug14 2012

New YMAC publication offers cultural advice

Posted: August 14th, 2012

Filed under: Cultural Awareness, Cultural Protocols, Pilbara, Yamatji., YMAC

YMAC has today launched a Cultural Advice booklet for people working with Aboriginal people in the Midwest or Pilbara regions of WA. The booklet was produced with the advice and guidance of Traditional Owners, to give a short summary of cultural protocols people should be aware of. “Each of the native title claim groups we represents has their own unique culture, but this guide has been designed to give broad advice for meetings and on-country visits. Non-Indigenous people from the private sector or government often come to do business with Traditional Owners and ask for advice on protocols. This guide serves as a good starting point,” said YMAC CEO Simon Hawkins. Download a pdf version from YMAC’s website here, or email srosenfeld@ymac.org.au if you would like to receive a hard copy.

Posts By: Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation