National Indigenous Affairs

Have your say: National Indigenous Youth Parliament

Posted: March 2nd, 2012

Filed under: Canberra, National Indigenous Youth Parliament

The National Indigenous Youth parliament brings together 48 young Indigenous people aged from across the nation to meet in Canberra, discuss ideas, learn from mentors and present a draft bill to the Government.

Six Indigenous Western Australians, aged 16-25 will be chosen to participate. The program consists of a week of training in April with the other WA delegates, and a week in Canberra in May with the delegates from all of the States and Territories.

Participants will be chosen based on their community involvement, ideas, and interest in government and the parliamentary process.

This is a unique opportunity for young people to learn how the system works, present their ideas to the Government, and connect with other future Indigenous leaders.

New website tells the story of the Stolen Generations

Posted: February 14th, 2012

Filed under: apology, Stolen Generations

Yesterday, on the fourth anniversary of  former Prime Minister Rudd’s national apology to the Stolen Generations, a new website was launched to share the personal stories of members of the Stolen Generations.

The ‘Stolen Generations’ Testimonies’ project is an initiative to record on film the personal testimonies of Australia’s Stolen Generations Survivors and share them online.

According to the Project’s website, “The Stolen Generations’ Testimonies Foundation hopes the online museum will become a national treasure and a unique and sacred keeping place for Stolen Generations’ Survivors’ Testimonies. By allowing Australians to listen to the Survivors’ stories with open hearts and without judgement, the foundation hopes more people will be engaged in the healing process.”

So far more than 30 people have shared their personal histories for the Project. You can watch them online at www.stolengenerationstestimonies.com

Get ready for NAIDOC 2012

Posted: February 2nd, 2012

Filed under: NAIDOC

The NAIDOC Committee recently announced the theme for the 2012 celebrations is, “Spirit of the Tent Embassy: 40 years on.”

NAIDOC Week, from 1–8 July 2012, is an opportunity for Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians to join together to recognise the valuable contribution Indigenous people make to Australia’s national identity.

Indigenous Australians are encouraged to nominate fellow community members to receive National NAIDOC Awards and submit entries, based on this year’s theme, to the National NAIDOC Poster Competition. The winning entry, which receives a $5000 cash prize, will feature on the 2012 National NAIDOC poster and be displayed across Australia in workplaces, schools and community organisations. Entries for the 2012 National NAIDOC Poster Competition close on Friday 30 March.

Communities and individuals can also acknowledge the contributions and talents of artists and other outstanding Indigenous individuals by nominating them for a National NAIDOC Award. There are ten award categories including the prestigious Person of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Awards. Winners will be honoured during NAIDOC Week at the premier NAIDOC event, the National NAIDOC Awards Ceremony and Ball to be held in Hobart on Friday 6 July 2012. Nominations for the 2012 National NAIDOC Awards close on Friday 27 April.

For entry forms and more information, visit www.naidoc.org.au or talk to your nearest Indigenous Coordination Centre on 1800 079 098.

Indigenous Marathon Project applications now open

Posted: January 30th, 2012

Filed under: Indigenous Marathon Project

Weld Range gets media attention

Posted: November 1st, 2011

Filed under: Colin Hamlett, National Heritage List, Weld Range, Wilgie Mia

The Weld Range, in Wajarri Yamatji country, has been getting alot of media attention lately. Since it was included on the National Heritage List earlier this year, the National Native Title Tribunal has made the unusual ruling that a mining lease should not be granted there because of the significance of the area to Traditional Owners.

This week the ABC has published an informative story highlighting the historical importance of Wilgie Mia and the Wajarri Yamatji people’s dedication to its maintainance and protection.

NNTT finds Wajarri heritage is more important than money

Posted: September 27th, 2011

Filed under: Colin Hamlett, Heritage, National Heritage List, National Native Title Tribunal, Wajarri Yamatji, Weld Range, Wilgie Mia

Traditional owner Colin Hamlett in the Weld Range

The National Native Title Tribunal (NNTT) has recently made a very important decision for the Wajarri Yamatji people. The NNTT ruled that four mining tenements in the Weld Range cannot be granted because of the cultural significance of the area to the Wajarri Yamatji people.

This is only the second time that the NNTT has ever made such a decision, and it comes after parts of the Weld Range were accepted on to the National Heritage List earlier this year.

Weld Range Metals, the company that wished to mine the area, has been reluctant to meet with the Wajarri Yamatji people and did not come to agreement over the proposed mining project.
Deputy President Sumner of the NNTT came to the conclusion that, “the interests, proposals, opinions or wishes of the [Wajarri Yamatji people] in relation to the use of the Tenement area should be given greater weight than the potential economic benefit or public interest in the Project proceeding. The Weld Range area (including the Tenement area) is of such significance to the [Wajarri Yamatji people] in accordance with their traditions that mining on it should only be permitted with their agreement.”

The NNTT’s decision was reached after an on-country hearing earlier this year which included visits to important places in the Weld Range. The Wajarri Yamatji people and YMAC staff gave evidence about “caves with rock art, waterholes and old corroboree and ceremonial grounds, all of which remain of particular significance to the [Wajarri Yamatji people] in accordance with their traditions.”

This is a fantastic result for the Wajarri Yamatji people and YMAC congratulates them for their strength in fighting to protect their cultural heritage.

Watch GWN’s coverage of the story here: http://au.gwn7.yahoo.com/w1/video/-/watch/26753825/native-title-tribunal-vetoes-mine/ 

Invitation to discuss Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians

Posted: August 22nd, 2011

Filed under: YMAC

The Australian Government, as part of it’s commitment to pursuing constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, have appointed an Expert Panel consisting of 20 respected individuals, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and community leaders.

The Panel is tasked with leading a broad national consultation program to seek views from across the Australian community about ideas for recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians in our nation’s Constitution. These consultations offer an opportunity to share the work of the Panel and more importantly to seek views and ideas about Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.

The Expert Panel will report to the Government on possible options for constitutional change to give effect to Indigenous constitutional recognition, including advice as to the level of support from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the broader community for each option by December 2011.

Two members of the Expert Panel, the Hon Fred Chaney AO and Mr Bill Lawson AM will be holding public consultations in Perth and Fremantle on 13 & 14 September. To find out more about these sessions visit the ‘You, Me, Unity’ website, as below:

http://www.youmeunity.org.au/

Badimia protects Lake Moore

Posted: June 23rd, 2011

Filed under: Badimia, Lake Moore, National Native Title Tribunal

Yesterday the National Native Title Tribunal handed down a decision that will help the Badimia people look after Lake Moore and the many places around it that are important to the Badimia people.

Lake Moore, a dry salt lake south of Paynes Find, is a very special place for Badimia people. Many Badimia people visit the area with their families every year to go camping, hunting, collecting bush medicines and teaching the younger generations about country and culture. Lake Moore and the surrounding area is not only important as a place for Badimia families to go out on country, but it is home to very sacred places where ceremonies traditionally took place.

The National Native Title Tribunal recognised how important this place is for the Badimia people by ruling that the company seeking a mineral exploration licence has to negotiate with the Badimia people before it can have access to the area for low-impact exploration activities. This will allow the Badimia people to have more of a say over access to the area, and will give them a chance to make sure the mineral explorers have an understanding of the significance of the area. 

YMAC makes national and international news headlines!

Posted: June 6th, 2011

Filed under: agreements, media, Rio Tinto, Simon Hawkins, YMAC



Gordon Yuline, Nyiyaparli elder, signs agreement

YMAC, and Pilbara traditional owners, have received unprecedented media coverage in state, national and international media regarding the recent signing of historical agreements with Rio Tinto.

The news hit the headlines on Friday, 3 June, continued over the weekend and into the week of 6 June. The story, and YMAC’s CEO, Simon Hawkins, featured in the following major media outlets;

Television: BBC International News, ABC 7pm news, ABC 24 6pm news, GWN and WIN 6pm news

Newspapers: Front page of the West Australia and Australian newspapers, also featured in Australian Financial Review, The Age, Canberra Times, Sydney Morning Herald, plus 12 other national regional papers. Will also appear in WA regional and Indigenous newspapers the week of 6 June.

Radio: BBC radio, ABC national and regional radio, SBS radio, Sky Business, 6PR, 96FM, 94.5FM, and national radio across Australia.

Keep and eye out for more great news stories coming up for YMAC, and the traditional owners we represent, in 2011!