Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation

Jun21 2012

Remote WA Communities Welcome Fresh Fruit and Vegetables

Posted: June 21st, 2012

Filed under: Indigenous Health, Newcrest Mining, Parnngurr, Punmu

Fresh fruit and vegetables are now being delivered regularly to residents at Punmu and Parnngurr, thanks to a joint initiative between Newcrest Mining and community developers from those regions.

The project, which has been in operation for nearly two years now, ensures people from remote areas have regular access to WA-grown fruit and vegetables. The produce is sold at an affordable price in community shops once it is delivered.

While the initiative was created to assist community members become healthier, it has also helped to generate trust between local community groups and business organisations.

Jun18 2012

New youth network in Roebourne

Posted: June 18th, 2012

Filed under: community development, Indigenous youth, Pilbara, Shire of Roebourne

The Shire of Roebourne is creating a new Youth Leadership Network to engage young people in learning, leadership and community development.

The goal of the project is to raise public awareness of youth issues and address negative stereotypes by actively involving young people in the planning of community events, programs and activities.

The Shire is looking for 15-25 year-olds from a variety of different backgrounds to get on board.

For more information, or to register for the Youth Leadership Network, please phone Kim McColl at the Shire of Roebourne on (08) 9186 8555 or email kimberly.mccoll@roebourne.wa.gov.au

Jun11 2012

Yamatji artists on show in Perth

Posted: June 11th, 2012

Filed under: Indigenous Arts, Mid West, Oakajee Port and Rail.

Artwork: Yalibirri Nesting Time
Artist: Sonya Edney
Copyright 2012

An art exhibition aimed at raising the profile of Indigenous artists from the mid-west region of Western Australia will open next week in Perth’s city centre.

The ‘Good Heart Mid-West Aboriginal Art Exhibition 2012’ is a community-based project backed by Oakajee Port and Rail, which will showcase work from contemporary and traditional Indigenous artists of WA’s mid-west region.

This is the fifth year the exhibition has been run in Perth, and in celebration of its continued success, Oakajee Port and Rail have announced a new devleopment grant for two participating artists. The recipients of these scholarships will receive art supplies and tutition at the Kidogo Art Institute in Fremantle.

The exhibition will be staged in the foyer of the QV1 Building from 18-22 June. Entry is free, 10am-4pm. All artwork is for sale.

For more information, visit the exhibition website.

Jun7 2012

Deadline extended for comment on WA heritage review

Posted: June 7th, 2012

Filed under: Aboriginal Heritage Act, Department of Indigenous Affairs

The WA Department of Indigenous Affairs yesterday announced that it has extended the deadline for lodging submissions on the Department’s Discussion Paper outlining proposed changes to the WA Aboriginal heritage regime.

The deadline for comments is now Tuesday, 26 June.

Click here for more information on the review and discussion paper

YMAC encourages all West Australians who care about protecting our rich Aboriginal heritage to have a look at the proposals and tell the Minister for Indigenous Affairs what you think about them.

Jun6 2012

Support for changes to native title

Posted: June 6th, 2012

Filed under: good faith, National Native Title Conference, native title, Puutu Kunti Kurrama Pinikura (PKKP), reform

Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation (YMAC) has welcomed today’s announcement by the Commonwealth Attorney-General, Nicola Roxon, of a package of reforms and additional funding to improve the efficiency of the native title system.

In particular, YMAC is pleased that the Government has committed to put forward amendments to incorporate criteria for good faith negotiations into the Native Title Act. This is in line with suggested amendments YMAC put to the Government in 2009, following FMG Pilbara Pty Ltd v Cox (2009).

Simon Hawkins, CEO, Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation said, “The High Court’s decision resulted in our push for these ‘good faith’ amendments, to set out clear expectations and certainty for all parties.

Importantly, these changes will require companies to discuss substantive issues within the six-month negotiation period, rather than stalling on preliminary matters such as protocols and timetables. These reforms have been under discussion for several years and we are very pleased to see the Government now moving towards design and implementation.”

The announcements at the National Native Title Conference in Townsville also included:

· Proposed amendments to allow parties to reach agreement over the historical extinguishment of native title over parks and reserves.

· The Government has agreed that financial payments to native title parties as part of agreements won’t attract income tax or Capital Gains Tax. This will guarantee that compensation paid for the impairment or loss of native title rights will be treated like other forms of compensation.

Jenny Macklin, Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs also addressed the conference, announcing a long-awaited review of the roles and functions of Native Title Representative Bodies. YMAC hopes this review demonstrates the extensive work Native Title Representative Bodies are doing to support native title groups as they move into a post-determination environment.

Jun5 2012

Community Forum on Constitutional Recognition

Posted: June 5th, 2012

Filed under: Carolyn Tan, Constitutional recognition, Perth, You Me Unity

On Tuesday, 26 June 2012, a community forum will be held at Christ Church Anglican Church in the Perth suburb of Claremont to discuss constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.

YMAC’s In-house legal counsel, Dr. Carolyn Tan, will be chairing the discussion, with Hon. Fred Chaney and Tammy Solonec on the panel.

The topics to be discussed include:

What is our Constitution?
Why are changes needed?
How should I vote in a National Referendum?

Click here for more information on the event.

For more information on constitutional recognition, visit the You Me Unity website.

Jun1 2012

YMAC Commemorates Twentieth Anniversary of Mabo

Posted: June 1st, 2012

Filed under: Ben Roberts, Mabo, Pilbara Regional Committee, Thudgari, video, Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation, YMAC Board of Directors

This Sunday, 3 June, will mark 20 years since the landmark Mabo decision.

Watch Yamatji Committee member Ben Roberts share his experiences and reflections on the 20th anniversary of this milestone event in Austalian history.

This is the first in a series of interviews with our Committee and Board Members, as they share their stories of country and culture.

May28 2012

Federal Court recognises joint native title rights of the Nyangumarta and Karajarri peoples

Posted: May 28th, 2012

Filed under: Anna Plains, Karajarri, Kimberley Land Council, Native Title Determination, Nyangumarta, Pilbara

Nyangumarta and Karajarri dancers

On Friday May 25, the Federal Court handed down a native title determination to the Nyangumarta and Karajarri communities across shared country near 80 Mile Beach in Western Australia.

The Nyangumarta/Karajarri joint determination resolves two overlapping claims of the Nyangumarta and Karajarri peoples, two different tribal groups who share traditional laws and cultural connection to the area. Justice North handed down the Federal Court’s decision at an on-country determination at Anna Plains Station.

The Kimberley Land Council and the Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation acted on behalf of the Karajarri and Nyangumarta claimants to negotiate native title across 2,000 square kilometres of land and sea country across Anna Plains Station, a portion of Mandora Station and 80 Mile Beach, in the East Pilbara and West Kimberley regions of WA.

Kimberley Land Council Executive Board Member and Karajarri Traditional Owner Anthony Watson said the Nyangumarta/Karajarri joint native title determination highlighted how two tribal groups could work together to achieve land rights.

“Today’s determination is about co-operation and respect for each other. For these two groups to come together, acknowledge their shared interests in this country and achieve a successful native title consent determination is very powerful,’’ he said.

Nyangumarta Traditional Owner Margaret Rose said, “Years ago, this country was shared between the two groups, from way back. Native Title brought conflict because we each had to prove that the land was ours. But through strong connection to country, we were able to show how both groups are connected to the land together. This brings hope that other groups can follow this example and share country in a happy spirit. It’s appropriate that this is happening in reconciliation week.”

Simon Hawkins, CEO of YMAC, congratulated the groups on their achievement, “The Nyangumarta and Karajarri people should be very proud, this is a positive achievement for everyone. This is a historic day, and a cause for celebration.”

YMAC will be posting more photos and video from the determination on our website soon. For the full media release, click here

May25 2012

Wajarri Yamatji Traditional Owner Speaks Out On Proposed Heritage Reforms

Posted: May 25th, 2012

Filed under: ABC, Aboriginal Heritage Act, Anthony Dann, Department of Indigenous Affairs, Traditional Owners.

In an interview this morning on ABC Mid West radio, Wajarri Yamatji Traditional Owner, Anthony Dann, has responded to the State Government’s recent discussion paper on proposed changes to the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 (AHA).

In the interview, Mr Dann strongly outlined his concerns about the short timeframe for comment on such significant changes to the protection of Aboriginal heritage, and the lack of consultation with Traditional Owners over the proposed reforms.

Mr Dann said that Aboriginal people are rapidly losing their input into heritage development under the AHA, as Traditional Owners aren’t offered the same appeal opportunities as land developers.

After announcing a 12 month review into Aboriginal cultural heritage processes last May, the Government has held no formal consultation with Traditional Owners and only allowed five weeks for comment on the proposed changes to the AHA outlined in the discussion paper.

Mr Dann also said a significant review of the AHA was needed because it does not provide adequate protection for Aboriginal Heritage, and that Native Title negotiation processes are at present the only means for Traditional Owners to take part in consultations over protected Aboriginal sites.

For more information about the proposed reforms to the AHA, including links to the discussion paper and YMAC’s media release, please click here.

Posts By: Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation