Pilbara Region News

Jul3 2012

Meet a Minister in Port Hedland

Posted: July 3rd, 2012

Filed under: Pilbara Development Commission, Port Hedland, WA State Government

Do you have an important issue you would like to discuss with a Government Minister?

The State Government is holding a ‘Meet the Minister’ function in Port Hedland on Sunday 29th July 2012, giving locals the opportunity to ask Ministers questions on matters that concern them.

If you would like to attend, contact Trish Barron at the Pilbara Development Commission on (08) 9173 8400 or email pdc@pdc.wa.gov.au to find out which Ministers will be present and register your interest. Registrations close 4pm, Thursday 5th July 2012.

Please note that it will only be possible for seven to eight people to meet individually with each Minister, so please apply soon to ensure your place.

For more information on the Pilbara Development Commission, please visit their website.

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

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

Nyangumarta and Karajarri Joint Native Title Recognition, ABC Radio, May 2012

Posted: May 25th, 2012

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.

More information:

Federal Court recognises joint native title rights of the Nyangumarta and Karajarri people- 28 May 2012

Case Study: Joint native title rights for the Nyangumarta and Karajarri peoples

May4 2012

YMAC attends launch of ‘Kurlumarniny- We come from the desert’

Posted: May 4th, 2012

Filed under: Monty Hale, Nyangumarta, Pilbara, Pilbara strike, Warralong

At the book launch in Warralong yesterday

Yesterday YMAC representatives attended the launch of Monty Hale’s bilingual book ‘Kurlumarniny – We come from the desert’ at the Warralong community.

Monty Hale is one of the quiet achievers of Indigenous Australia , and one of its greatest intellectuals. A senior Nguliparti man from the Pilbara region, his book tells of his family’s migration from the desert to the station country in the eastern Pilbara, his childhood growing up on Mt Edgar Station, witnessing Australia’s engagement in World War two and the famous Pilbara station-workers strike of 1946. The remarkable bilingual publication, written in Nyangumarta and English, tells Monty’s experiences though his vast cultural knowledge and his strong desire to leave a record of his life.

The book will soon be available to purchase from Wangka Maya Language Centre and is a remarkable record of Aboriginal life in the Pilbara.

Visit http://www.wangkamaya.org.au/ for more Indigenous publications from the Pilbara.

Apr30 2012

Rail industry career opportunities through Pilbara Indigenous Association

Posted: April 30th, 2012

Filed under: Bloodwood Tree Association, Indigenous Employment and Training, job vacancy, Laing O'Rourke, Pilbara

Indigenous people will soon have a greater opportunity to work in the rail construction industry through a new joint initiative between the Bloodwood Tree Association and international construction company Laing O’Rourke.

Under the proposed program, which is expected to commence later this month, Bloodwood Tree clients will undertake an initial four-week training program with the Association, before starting a six-week Certificate II in Rail Infrastructure with Laing O’Rourke.

Those involved in the course will learn basic skills to prepare them for employment, and everyone who graduates from the program will then be offered employment opportunities through the company.

The initiative will promote local rather than ‘fly-in, fly-out’ recruitment for companies such as BHP and FMG who work in the Pilbara, and encourage community development.

The Bloodwood Tree Association is a not-for-profit Aboriginal corporation based in South Hedland that seeks to help the Indigenous community in a variety of ways, including employment programs, services for homeless people and substance abuse programs.

For further information on the Bloodwood Tree Association workshops and training programs, please visit their website: http://www.bloodwoodtree.org.au/

Additionally, more information about Laing O’Rourke can be found on their website: http://www.laingorourke.com.au/home

Apr24 2012

Agreement focuses on sustainability

Posted: April 24th, 2012

Filed under: agreement, Diane Limerick, Maisey Hyland, Ngarlawangga, Pilbara, Rico Resources, Simon Hawkins

Ngarlawangga community members, YMAC staff and Rico Resources representatives at the agreement signing

The Ngarlawangga people have announced an agreement with Rico Resources over their Wonmunna project within the Ngarlawangga native title claim.

The agreement focuses on building a relationship between the parties to develop sustainable, long-term business and employment opportunities for the Ngarlawangga community. It is based on shared objectives of employment and contracts for Ngarlawangga people on Rico Resources projects.

To this end, a skills audit of the Ngarlawangga community is being undertaken to help community members identify and access opportunities for training, employment, and business ventures.

The agreement includes financial compensation to the Ngarlawangga people, and recognises the importance of Aboriginal culture and the Ngarlawangga people’s responsibility to care for their heritage sites. It also provides Rico Resources with all of the native title approvals needed for their Wonmunna Project.

“Rico resources have listened to us and we have listened to them. We have a good relationship with RICO even though we are a small group and they are a small company,” said Ngarlawangga elder Maisey Hyland.

Ngarlawangga elder Dianne Limerick said, “In the short while we have been negotiating with Rico Resources we made a lot of progress and we are happy and pleased that we have signed an agreement together”

Simon Hawkins, Chief Executive Officer of Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation (YMAC), said, “Rico Resources has adopted a relationship-based approach to these negotiations, and this agreement is designed to help the Ngarlawangga people meet their aspirations as a community. The company has shown their commitment to these goals by implementing the skills audit before the agreement was even signed. This mining agreement is about both parties supporting each other for years to come.”

Apr20 2012

Aboriginal Anzacs Honoured

Posted: April 20th, 2012

Filed under: Anzac, Lockyer

In the lead-up to Anzac Day, a special service honouring Aboriginal soldiers will be held at the Whim Creek Hotel on Sunday April 22 at 9am.

In particular, it will recognise the contribution of the Lockyer family, commemorating five Aboriginal brothers who fought for their country in World War II.

Watch the video from Tangiora Hinaki to learn more about the story of the Lockyer brothers and the Whim Creek Anzac Service.

Anzac tribute to Aboriginal brothers from Tangiora Hinaki on Vimeo.

Pilbara Region News

Meet a Minister in Port Hedland

Remote WA Communities Welcome Fresh Fruit and Vegetables

New youth network in Roebourne

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

Nyangumarta and Karajarri Joint Native Title Recognition, ABC Radio, May 2012

YMAC attends launch of ‘Kurlumarniny- We come from the desert’

Rail industry career opportunities through Pilbara Indigenous Association

Agreement focuses on sustainability

Aboriginal Anzacs Honoured

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