Pilbara Region News

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day

Posted: August 3rd, 2015

Filed under: #fairstartforIndigKids, Little People Big Futures, National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day, SNAICC, SNAICC Children's Day

August 4 is National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day. #fairstartforIndigKids recognises the strengths and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and draws attention to the issues affecting them.

This year’s Children’s Day theme is Little People, Big Futures emphasising an investment in the children of today will secure the strength and success of communities tomorrow. Visit aboriginalchildrensday.com.au for more information.

2015 Amnesty International Media Awards now open

Posted: July 24th, 2015

Filed under: Aboriginal Art, Aboriginal Heritage Act, agreement, Amnesty International Media Awards, human rights, Indigenous category, Indigenous Community Stories, Journalists, media, Mid West, Perth, Pilbara, Port Hedland, WA media, WA State Government, Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation

Amnesty’s Indigenous Youth Incarceration Campaign
Photo: (c)AIA/ IngetjeTadros

These awards include the Indigenous Reporting category, recognising excellence in media coverage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander human rights issues.

This year’s Amnesty International Australia Media Awards are now open and journalists are encouraged to enter their human rights stories of the last year.

To enter these awards visit here before the closing date of Friday 14 August 2015.

Aboriginal language initiatives

Posted: May 15th, 2015

Filed under: Bundiyarra Irra Wanga language program, Geraldton, Janelle Mowarin, language, Nanda, Ngarluma, Nyangumarta, Port Hedland, Roebourne, Tyson Mowarin, Wangka Maya, Weerianna Street Media

There are positive initiatives across Western Australia committed to preserving traditional languages.

Nyangumarta speakers in Hedland recently underwent training to become qualified interpreters for hospitals and courts. The training facilitated by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters is hoped to increase access to services for Aboriginal people.

Weerianna Street Media in collaboration with linguist Janelle Mowarin and the Wangka Maya Pilbara Aboriginal Language Centre have created language videos for schools and other resources to complement a Ngarluma online dictionary. The Wangka Maya dictionary and Ngarluma Language Resource are available online here.

Geraldton’s Bundiyarra-Irra Wangga Language Centre recently launched a Nhanda alphabet poster along with other educational posters which promote the Nhanda language. Anyone interested in contributing to the Nhanda dictionary project may call Ms Sitorus at the Bundiyarra-Irra Wangga Language Centre on 9920 7900.

Join World Rallies this Friday to Stop the Community Closures

Posted: April 29th, 2015

Filed under: Community closures, Department of Aboriginal Affairs, Premier Barnett, protests, rallies, SOS Blak Australia, WA State Government

This Friday, 1 May, communities are joining together in protest against the Barnett Government’s forced closure of Aboriginal Communities.

This marks the second wave of rallies organised by the group SOS Blak Australia. The protests will occur world-wide including in Los Angeles, London, Berlin and Christchurch, as well as all Australian capital cities.

Rallies will take place in Perth and regional Western Australia, including Roebourne, Newman, Port Hedland and Geraldton.

The State Government announced in November 2014 that it intended to close up to 150 Aboriginal Communities in Western Australia. Five months later, the Government has still not engaged in discussion with Aboriginal people on this issue.

The Barnett Government has not identified the location of Communities under threat of closure and has not identified what will happen to those who live in the Communities following the closure.

To view the complete list of planned action visit SOSBlakAustralia.

Easternwell community grants now open

Posted: March 20th, 2015

Filed under: community grants, Easternwell Community Grants, Pilbara

Easternwell Community Grants provide financial and social assistance in regions where they have key operations, including the Pilbara.

Up to $2000 will be provided to successful  local committees, groups, clubs and associations which provide lasting benefits to the community. the aim is to support activities or opportunities which provide lasting community benefit in the areas of:

• Community
• Education
• Health
• Indigenous
• Safety
• Youth

The closing date for this round of applications is 27 March. The next round will be in September 2015. Click here for the application form or email communitygrants@easternwell.com.au for more information.

Join Wangka Maya to learn Aboriginal languages

Posted: March 20th, 2015

Filed under: language, South Hedland, Wangka Maya

Every Wednesday from 6 to 7 pm the Wangka Maya Pilbara Aboriginal Language Centre is offering the opportunity to practice your Aboriginal language skills in the Wangka Maya conference room at 67 Throssell Road in South Hedland.

For more information contact manager@wangkamaya.org.au or call Julie or Jason on 9172 2344.

Tertiary scholarship opportunity

Posted: January 7th, 2015

Filed under: Australian Indigenous Education Foundation (AIEF), BHP Billiton, Indigenous Scholarships.

The Australian Indigenous Education Foundation (AIEF)-BHP Billiton Tertiary Scholarship is awarded to outstanding Indigenous students undertaking engineering and other mining-related degrees, who aspire to work for BHP Billiton and to one day become leaders in the business.

The scholarship is an opportunity to learn from experts, develop a global network of colleagues, attend world class training, and build exceptional skills and expertise.

Applications for 2015 are now open. For more information, download the Scholarship Application Form or contact AIEF on (02) 8373 8000 or at applications@aief.com.au.

Applications close at 5:00pm on Sunday, 1 February 2015. 

Celebrating 20 years of YMAC

Posted: December 17th, 2014

Filed under: 20 years of YMAC, Mrs Doris Eaton

December marks 20 years since YMAC became a representative body under the Native Title Act. In celebration of this milestone the Board of Directors is proud to announce a new publication Looking After Country: Our Mother, Our Provider and Keeper.

The book, which is rich with photos and interviews, provides an important record of the achievements of the organisation and the Traditional Owners of the the Midwest, Gascoyne and Pilbara regions of Western Australia.

YMAC Co-Chairperson Mrs Doris Eaton said the book is a retrospective on the organisation, how it has grown, and what it has achieved.

“It took us 20 years to get where we are but we’ve got more things to do. We want to see more determinations, we’ve got more to come.”

Click here to view the book on the web or email editor@ymac.org.au to request a hard copy.

Ngurra Nyingu Art Exhibition 2014

Posted: November 24th, 2014

Filed under: Aboriginal Art, Ngurra Nyingu Art Exhibition, West Pilbara, Woodside Plaza

The Ngurra Nyingu (We Are From This Country) Exhibition is now in its sixth year and showcases artists of the West Pilbara and shares the stories of its people and culture.