YMAC

Department of Justice Aboriginal Traineeship Program

Posted: September 10th, 2024

The Department of Justice is looking for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of all ages who are interested in making a difference and taking part in their Aboriginal Traineeship Program. They are asking that Aboriginal organisations share this opportunity with their networks, clients, and community. Successful applicants will get paid whilst they work to gain a Certificate III in Government. Applications are currently open, closing on 13 September 2024.

To apply and/or to learn more about the trainee positions, visit jobs.wa.gov.au.

Celebrating NAIDOC Week: Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud

Posted: July 5th, 2024

NAIDOC Week begins this Sunday, 7 July. This is a time to come together to celebrate not only First Nations people’s achievements, but the history, rich culture, and survival of the oldest continuing living culture on earth.

This year’s NAIDOC Week theme is ‘Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud’, celebrating the unyielding spirit of First Nations people as it invites all to stand in solidarity, amplifying the voices that have long been silenced.

The fire represents the enduring strength and vitality of the challenges faced by First Nations people to maintain their culture, connection to Country and to each other. The traditions that are passed down through generations defines their resilience.

“Blak, Loud and Proud” encapsulates the unapologetic celebration of First Nations people’s identity, empowering them to stand tall in their heritage and assert their place in the modern world. This theme reclaims the narratives, amplifies the voices and highlights the commitment to justice and equality.

Check out our YMAC LinkedIn page throughout the week as we highlight Traditional Owners’ connection to Country, native title over YMAC’s 30 years, what happens after a determination, an update on Aboriginal heritage and finishing the week off with information on two important events that call for the Pilbara and Yamatji community to stand up and recognise the strong Blak, Loud and Proud advocates who continue to fight for their people.

There are also many events throughout NAIDOC Week that are happening in your community, and we urge you to check them out and become immersed in the culture of the First Nations people

Review YMAC’s Renewable Energy Guide

Posted: June 21st, 2024

Filed under: renewable energy, Renewable Energy Guide, YMAC

With Western Australia’s renewable energy industry growing at a rapid pace, the YMAC Renewable Energy Guide aims to promote the highest engagement standards and provide a practical tool to guide renewable energy project negotiations between developers and First Nations peoples. 

The guide draws on the expertise of YMAC’s experienced lawyers who have been supporting renewable energy project negotiations across our representative areas, other team members from a range of disciplines, as well as external experts. 

YMAC has long been an advocate for economic participation models such as equity ownership. It is our goal to ensure First Nations peoples’ involvement in this Greenfields industry can result in long-term generation of capital – a key to self-determination – as well as close involvement in decision-making about activity impacting their unique cultural heritage and Country. 

Consisting of a set of eight ‘standards’ to guide renewable energy developers in how best to engage with Prescribed Bodies Corporate (PBCs) and Aboriginal Corporations and achieve free, prior and informed consent, as well as a project timeline that discusses key requirements for each stage of a project’s development. 

View the guide here. 

Return of Native Title Materials Best Practice Guide available online

Posted: June 7th, 2024

While this year’s AIATSIS Summit is well-underway in Naarm (Melbourne), YMAC is excited and proud to be able to promote the availability of the Return of native title material from Native Title Representative Bodies or Service Providers to Prescribed Bodies Corporate: A Best Practice Guide – a publication created in partnership by AIATSIS [the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies] and YMAC.

Returning cultural information to the appropriate party/ies is a critical yet complex part of the native title process. The Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) outlines how representative bodies, like YMAC, are required to deal with these materials under section 203FCA. To effectively perform this function, YMAC developed options for returning materials, including a best practice model. This approach is used as a basis for engagement (or re-engagement) with Traditional Owners and Prescribed Bodies Corporate (PBCs) in a culturally appropriate way, and helped to inform much of the new guide.

YMAC looks forward to continue working with PBCs from within its representative areas to deliver tailored, co-designed returns.

We encourage you to please review the guide, as well as explore our website further to learn more about YMAC’s sector-leading Return of Materials processes.

Our digital YMAC Renewable Energy Guide is now live!

Posted: June 4th, 2024

Filed under: renewable energy, Renewable Energy Guide

Our digital YMAC Renewable Energy Guide is now live!

With Western Australia’s renewable energy industry growing at a rapid pace, the YMAC Renewable Energy Guide aims to promote the highest engagement standards and provide a practical tool to guide renewable energy project negotiations between developers and First Nations peoples.

“Renewable Energy presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to establish, from a project’s onset, the highest standards for First Nations peoples’ engagement, alongside sharing in the economic rewards that may arise from projects on Country.  We want to get this right from the start,” said YMAC CEO Simon Hawkins.

The guide draws on the expertise of YMAC’s experienced lawyers who have been supporting renewable energy project negotiations across our representative areas, other team members from a range of disciplines, as well as external experts.

YMAC has long been an advocate for economic participation models such as equity ownership. It is our goal to ensure First Nations peoples’ involvement in this Greenfields industry can result in long-term generation of capital – a key to self-determination – as well as close involvement in decision-making about activity impacting their unique cultural heritage and Country.

The Guide consists of a set of eight ‘standards’ to guide renewable energy developers in how best to engage with Prescribed Bodies Corporate (PBCs) and Aboriginal Corporations and achieve free, prior and informed consent, as well as a project timeline that discusses key requirements for each stage of a project’s development.

YMAC to participate in National Reconciliation Week

Posted: May 22nd, 2024

National Reconciliation Week marks a significant milestone in Australia’s history, particularly concerning native title. This year holds special significance for YMAC, as we celebrate our 30th anniversary of working alongside Traditional Owners in our Yamatji and Marlpa regions.

Reconciliation WA calls upon all West Australians to stand in solidarity with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. YMAC is committed to fostering this unity by organising internal events that honour the integral role of reconciliation in native title history.

YMAC is very proud to participate in National Reconciliation Week. To show our support for this important time, staff will be attending Reconciliation WA’s virtual breakfasts across all our offices, as well as joining the Walk for Reconciliation events in Perth and Hedland.

We encourage everyone to get involved by organising breakfast gatherings in their workplaces, communities, schools, or homes.

For more information on how to do so, please visit National Reconciliation Week – Reconciliation Australia.

Native Title Capacity Building Program funding now open for applications

Posted: May 8th, 2024

Acknowledging that native title parties across Western Australia have different levels of capacity, the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage (DPLH) have announced the Native Title Capacity Building Program, designed to ensure native title parties are resourced to provide heritage services and respond to the engagement, consultation and service delivery needs of industry and Government.

The State Government has committed $8 million per year to the Capacity Building Program from June 2024 to June 2027. Throughout this period, bi-annual payments of $90,000 are available to eligible native title parties.

Acknowledging the immediate need for funding, the first payment for successful applicants who submit before 24 May 2024 will be $180,000 with subsequent bi-annual payments of $90,000. Applications received after 24 May 2024 will only be eligible for the bi-annual payments of $90,000.

Applications are currently open. To find out more or to lodge an application, click here.

Pilbara Community Services Excellence Awards 2024

Posted: May 8th, 2024

Pilbara For Purpose (P4P) have opened nominations for the 2024 Pilbara Community Services Excellence Awards.

The 2024 awards celebrate the resilience, creativity, collaboration and leadership of community services organisations and individuals at the heart of the Pilbara communities.

They are an opportunity to showcase the great work and achievements of leaders, youth, seniors, volunteers, and organisations who go above and beyond to make a difference in the Pilbara.

This year P4P have chosen the theme Reaching for the Stars – Reaching Out for Others, to acknowledge and celebrate those striving for excellence through innovation, collaboration, resilience, and leadership in reaching out and meeting the needs of the vulnerable and disadvantaged in the Pilbara.

Nominations are open until Friday 28 June, with the Gala Dinner and awards ceremony to be held on Saturday 31 August.

To find out more or to complete a nomination form, click here.

Dangkal Gwo’yal-wa First Nations Land and Water Management Forum

Posted: May 8th, 2024

The Australian Government have announced the Dangkal Gwo’yal-wa First Nations Land and Water Management Forum 2024 to be held on Larrakia Country in Darwin from 27 – 29 August 2024.

The Forum is designed to bring together First nations land and water Managers from across Australia to celebrate and showcase their achievements in looking after Country.

In Larrakia, Dangkal Gwo’yal-wa means Strong Country, and the forum will focus on keeping land and water Country strong by preserving these unique resources through the effective management of Country.

The Forum is an opportunity to build networks with delegates and government representatives, share unique cultures and knowledge, strengthen governance and ownership across the field, enhance land and water management practices, develop learning opportunities, organisational capacity and capability, and initiate partnerships that grow land and water management programs.

Topics will include culture, technology, collaboration and planning, and presentations will include keynotes, breakout sessions, panel discussions, fire-side chats and ranger sharing sessions.

To find out more or to register for the event, click here.