YMAC

Community meeting for Badimia language project

Posted: November 21st, 2022

Calling all Badimia Elders, families and individuals – the Bundiyarra Irra Wangga Language Centre wants to hear from you.

A community meeting is being held from 9am-5pm, Wednesday, 30 November, and Thursday, 1 December, at Mt Magnet’s Recreation Centre to develop an online Badimia language learning portal. Catering is provided.

The Badimia language is falling into disuse and considered severely endangered. This project aims to document the language so it can live on through the generations. Download the information flyer to read more.

For more information, call 08 9920 7900, email language@irrawangga.org.au or visit their Facebook page.

Mid West workshops on ACH Act

Posted: November 19th, 2022

Three government-run workshops on the proposed guidelines for the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2021 will be held in the Mid West in late November and early December:

• Geraldton: 10am-2.30pm, Monday, 28 November, Batavia Coast Conference Centre, The Gerald Apartment Hotel, Level 1, 25 Cathedral Avenue.
• Meekatharra: 10.30am-2pm, Wednesday, 30 November, Town Hall, 54 Main Street.
• Mt Magnet: 10am-2pm, Thursday, 1 December, ANZAC Hall, corner Hepburn and Naughton Streets.

A Statewide, online-only session will also be held 9am-1.30pm, Thursday, 1 December.

The workshops will provide an opportunity to discuss the proposed Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Management Code, which details a required due diligence assessment and proposed activity and consultation guidelines that will set the standard for engaging First Nations people about their cultural heritage in the new act.

Another key discussion point relates to setting levels for ground-disturbance activities that could cause harm to Aboriginal cultural heritage to determine whether an approval would be required (and whether it should be a permit or more comprehensive management plan).

With the introduction of the new heritage laws for Western Australia scheduled to take place in 2023, this is a critical opportunity to provide feedback on these important documents. YMAC encourages people to attend to have their voices heard.

Register for the workshops for catering purposes. Morning tea is provided beforehand, along with a working lunch.

New Pilbara office boosts YMAC’s presence in the region

Posted: November 17th, 2022

It’s official – Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation (YMAC) has celebrated the official opening of a new Hedland office on 17 November.

Located at 8 Manganese Street in Wedgefield (Port Hedland), it’s the first time YMAC has owned an office building in the Pilbara after leasing premises for two decades. Read the media release.

PhD opportunity in Indigenous-led management of Sea Country

Posted: November 16th, 2022

Charles Darwin University’s Northern Institute is looking for a PhD researcher to work on the Indigenous-led management of Sea Country in projects across the Northern Territory and northern Western Australia.

The aim is to support the building of relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous marine and fisheries managers to address critical knowledge gaps and improve the visibility, equity and outcomes of Sea Country management.

Candidates should have existing expertise and experience in partnering with Indigenous communities in conservation planning, land and sea management, protected area governance, fisheries management, MPA (marine protected area) management, anthropology or policy.

Applications close 16 December but candidates are asked to email jackie.gould@cdu.edu.au to discuss their research interests by 24 November. Indigenous applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.

Stolen Generation and Victims of Institutional Abuse Compensation – Geraldton information sessions being held this week

Posted: November 15th, 2022

Community information sessions about Stolen Generation and Victims of Institutional Abuse Compensation are being held in Geraldton this week.

The sessions are being run by Harrow Legal, who will have their team available to both provide an overview of this work and to privately meet with individuals for interviews. (Noting, all information and details shared are private and confidential.)

Both sessions are being held at the Mitchell Street Community Centre (Mitchell Street, Spalding):

Wednesday, 16 November

12.00pm Lunch & Overview

1.00pm -4.00pm Harrow Legal Team available

Thursday, 17 November

10.00am Overview & Lunch

1.00pm-4.00pm Harrow Legal Team available

For further information, please contact: Ken Hayward on 0415436074; Charmaine Green or Lennelle Papertalk on 08 9956 0200 (during business hours).

Mid West Gascoyne people needed for Aboriginal Water and Environmental Advisory Group

Posted: November 10th, 2022

The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) is calling for expressions of interest from Aboriginal people in the Mid West Gascoyne region to join its Aboriginal Water and Environmental Advisory Group.

Established in 2018, the group was designed to ensure First Nations knowledge, values and needs are considered and addressed across DWER strategies, programs and planning when managing WA’s environment and water resources.

The group meets four times a year – once in Perth and three times in a regional location. Expenses for travel and accommodation are paid by DWER. Members not receiving a salary elsewhere can receive $500 a day when preparing for and attending all-day meetings.

Applicants must have knowledge that includes Aboriginal land and sea management – expressions of interest close 30 November. For any questions, call Marianne Yrke on 6364 6697 or email marianne.yrke@dwer.wa.gov.au.

Have your say on Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2021 co-design

Posted: November 4th, 2022

The State Government is calling for comment on regulations and guidelines in relation to the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2021 (ACH Act).

Passed in December 2021, despite significant objections from Traditional Owners, the new act does not meet the threshold of free, prior and informed consent – and the final decision concerning contested Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Management Plans lies with the Aboriginal Affairs Minister.

Although the bill has been passed, the State is now engaged in consultation regarding the act’s regulations and guidelines, embarking on phase three this month. Read YMAC’s submissions for phase one and phase two.

Workshops are being held across Western Australia in a variety of locations during November and December. Register for one of workshops described below.

Across Western Australia

• State-wide online session – Thursday, 1 December, 9am-1.30pm

Mid West

• Geraldton – Batavia Coast Conference Centre, The Gerald Apartment Hotel, Level 1/25 Cathedral Avenue – Monday, 28 November, 10am-2.30pm
• Meekatharra – Town Hall, 54 Main Street – Wednesday 30 November, 9.30am-2pm
• Mt Magnet – ANZAC Hall, corner Hepburn and Naughton Streets – Thursday, 1 December, 10am- 2pm

Pilbara

• Punmu – Punmu Community – Monday, 14 November, 10am-2.30pm
• Newman – The Seasons Hotel, 77 Newman Drive – Tuesday, 15 November, 10.30am-2.30pm
• Port Hedland – Jimblebar room, Wangankura Stadium, Hamilton Road – Wednesday, 16 November, 10am-2.30pm
• Roebourne – NYFL Ngurin Cultural Centre, 38 Roe Street – Monday, 5 December, 9am-1.30pm
• Onslow – Buurabalayji Thalanyji office, 569 Beadon Creek Road – Tuesday, 6 December 9.30am-2.30pm
• Karratha – Studios A+B, Red Earth Arts Precinct, 27 Welcome Road – Wednesday, 7 December, 9.30am-2.30pm

Gascoyne

• Carnarvon – Gwoonwardu Mia, 146 Robinson Street – Monday, 21 November 10am-2.30pm
• Shark Bay – Recreation Centre, Francis Road – Wednesday, 23 November, 10am-2.30pm

Kimberley

• Broome – Mangrove Hotel, 47 Carnarvon Street – Monday, 14 November, 10am-2.30pm
• Ardyaloon – Ardyaloon Community – Tuesday, 15 November, 9.30am-2pm
• Bidyadanga – Bidyadanga Community – Wednesday, 16 November, 9.30am-2pm
• Derby – Council Chambers, 31 Claredon Street – Monday, 21 November, 9.30am-2pm
• Fitzroy Crossing – Fitzroy River Lodge, 277 Great Northern Highway – Tuesday, 22 November 9.30am-2pm
• Halls Creek – Civic Hall, 173 Great Northern Highway – Wednesday, 23 November 9.30am-2pm
• Kununurra – MG Corp Boardroom, 19 Chestnut Avenue – Thursday, 24 November 11am-3pm

Goldfields-Esperance

• Kalgoorlie – Quality Inn Railway Motel, 33-51 Forrest Street – Monday, 14 November, 10am-2.30pm
• Warburton – Boardroom, Ngaanyatjarra Lands School, Community College – Tuesday, 15 November, 10am-2.30pm
• Norseman – Shire of Dundas Meeting Room, 88-92 Prinsep Street, Norseman – Wednesday 16 November, 10am-2.30pm
• Esperance – Esperance Lotteries House, 3 Forrest Street – Thursday, 17 November 9.30am-2pm
• Leonora – CRC Community Meeting Room, 60 Tower Street – Monday, 21 November, 12pm-4.30pm
• Laverton – CRC Community Meeting Room, Augusta Street – Tuesday, 22 November, 10am-2.30pm

Great Southern

• Albany – Retravision Stadium, 156 Lockyer Avenue – Monday, 28 November, 9.30am-2pm
• Katanning – Katanning Leisure Centre, Off Pemble Street – Tuesday, 29 November 10am-2.30pm

Peel, South West and Wheatbelt

• Busselton – Youth and Communities Activity Building, 21 Foreshore Parade – Monday, 5 December, 10am-2.30pm
• Moora – Council Chambers, 34 Padbury Street – Monday, 5 December, 10.30am-2.30pm
• Northam – Bilya Koort Boodja Round Room, 2 Grey Street – Tuesday, 6 December, 10am-2.30pm
• Bunbury – South West Italian Club, 13-19 White Street – Tuesday, 6 December, 10am-2.30pm
• Mandurah – Mandurah Bowling Club, 89 Allnut Street – Wednesday, 7 December, 10.30am-3pm

Perth Metropolitan

• Midland – Crooked Spire Café Revolution Room, 71 Victoria Street – Monday, 28 November 10am-2.30pm
• Armadale – Champion Centre, 78 Champion Street – Tuesday, 29 November, 10am-2.30pm
• Perth – Scarborough Room, Novotel Murray Street, Level 1/388 Murray Street – Wednesday, 30 November, 10am-2pm
• Perth – Scarborough Room, Novotel Murray Street, Level 1/388 Murray Street – Saturday, 3 December, 10am-2.30pm

Financial boost for Aboriginal women’s leadership

Posted: November 2nd, 2022

A variety of grants supporting Aboriginal women’s leadership – totalling $335,000 – are available through the Department of Communities’ 2022–23 Women’s Grants for a Stronger Future Program.

Applications need to align with Stronger Together: WA’s Plan for Gender Equality and focus on four key areas: health and well-being, safety and justice, women’s economic independence and women in leadership.

Projects supporting recommendations from the Respect@Work: National Inquiry into Sexual Harassment in Australian Workplaces are also encouraged.

Applications close 23 November. For more details, visit the Department of Communities website. To apply for grants above $10,000, you need to be registered on Tenders WA.

Grants for young First Nations people

Posted: October 31st, 2022

Applications for the State Government’s Aboriginal Youth Empowerment Grants of between $2000 and $25,000 are now open.

A total of $275,000 in Department of Communities funding is available through the Youth Affairs Council of Western Australia (YACWA) for initiatives that help First Nations people aged 10 to 25 with increased representation, engagement and participation in decision-making.

Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, community groups, local governments and non-for-profit organisations can apply for the grants.
The funding will be assessed by a panel of young First Nations people and First Nations community representatives, along with representatives from the Department of Communities and Youth Minister’s office.

Applications close 9 December. For more details, visit the YACWA website.