Pilbara Region News

The West Australian Indigenous Story Book

Posted: May 6th, 2014

Filed under: Esperance, Goldfields, Great Southern, Kimberley, Midwest, Peel, Perth, Pilbara, The Public Health Advocacy Institute of Western Australia, West Australian Indigenous Story Book

The Public Health Advocacy Institute of Western Australia began West Australian Indigenous Story Book project since 2011. Four editions have been released so far; the Kimberley and Pilbara edition, the Perth and Peel regions edition, the Pilbara and Midwest edition and the Goldfields/Esperance and Great Southern edition.

Each edition is a collection good news stories from indigenous, and sometimes non-indigenous, people who have contributed to social, economic, health and environmental outcomes for their communities.

For more information or to access the stories visit the PHAIWA website.

Two YMAC Staff achieve Scholarship to Oxford

Posted: May 5th, 2014

Filed under: Charlie Perkins Scholarship Trust, Edith Cowan University, Graduate, Indigenous Scholarships., Oxford University., University of Western Australia

YMAC would like to congratulate staff members Tamara Murdock and Jessyca Hutchens on receiving the Charlie Perkins Scholarship.

The Scholarship was launched in 2009 in memory of Aboriginal leader and activist Dr Charlie Perkins who was the first Indigenous Australian man to graduate from university.

Both Tamara and Jessyca will be undertaking their studies at Oxford University. Jessyca will be studying a DPhil in Fine Arts and Tamara will be studying a Master’s of Science in Biodiversity, Conservation and Management.

Everyone at YMAC is very proud of Tamara and Jessica, and we wish them the very best with their studies in the UK.

Download the full media release here. 

“Cultural Protocols in our Town” – Town of Port Hedland

Posted: April 17th, 2014

Filed under: Community, Consultation, Cultural Awareness, Pilbara, Port Hedland

The Town of Port Hedland welcomes all members of the community to attend the forum held on “Cultural Protocols in our Town”.

Discussions will center around cultural awareness, protocols in the Town and developing solutions to better integrate the community.

The forum aims to provide a platform for community members, agencies, Council officers and local businesses to make connections, share ideas, resolve issues and celebrate community achievements.

Forum Topic: Cultural Protocols in our Town
Date: Monday 26 May 2014
Time: 9.30am – 1pm
Place: Lotteries House, Leake Street, South Hedland

If you would like to attend email  eacd@porthedland.wa.gov.au to RSVP.

Native title agreement for the Kurama and Marthudunera (K&M) people over iron ore project

Posted: April 16th, 2014

Filed under: agreement, Kuruma Marthudunera, Pannawonica, Pilbara, Red Hill Iron

The Kurama and Marthudunera (K&M) people of the Pilbara region of Western Australia are pleased to announce an agreement with Iron Ore miners Red Hill Iron Ltd (RHI). The agreement covers RHI’s Pannawonica project, about 120 km south of Cape Preston.

Negotiations were completed in approximately six months, with the resulting agreement giving RHI native title approvals for its project. The K&M people will receive financial benefits and compensation from the company, which reflects the importance to the K&M people of minimising the impact of mining projects on their traditional country.

Download the full media release here.

Congratulations to Weerianna Street Media on heritage award

Posted: April 14th, 2014

Filed under: Ngarluma, Roebourne, Tyson Mowarin, Weerianna Street Media, Western Australian State Heritage Awards

This week,  Pilbara Aboriginal media company Weerianna Street Media was awarded the Professor David Dolan Award as part of the 2014 Western Australian Heritage Awards. These prestigious annual awards recognise outstanding commitment and contribution to heritage conservation, adaptive reuse, tourism and interpretation in Western Australia.

In 2007, Tyson Mowarin, a musician, digital storyteller and proud Ngarluma man from the Pilbara, established Weerianna Street Media to produce factual content for television broadcast and community archives. It aims to protect Burrup rock art, share community stories, history and cultural knowledge, improve awareness of Aboriginal traditions and custodial ownership via digital technologies. The judges said Weerianna Street Media draws on a myriad of digital technology and new media to share stories of Aboriginal people, culture and history to a world-wide audience. The digital platforms also provide an invaluable living archive for Aboriginal knowledge about the Dampier Archipelago.  See more at the State Heritage Awards

Congratulations Tyson!

Our Tom Price office has moved

Posted: March 28th, 2014

Filed under: Tom Price., YMAC

Our office in Tom Price has moved just up the road. We are continuing to serve the Traditional Owners of the Pilbara from our new premises at lot 974 Central Road in Tom Price.

All of our other contact details remain the same, and you can always reach your nearest YMAC office for free by calling 1300 7 12345.

Aboriginal Arts Center opens in Port Hedland

Posted: March 14th, 2014

Filed under: Art, Community, Pilbara, Port Hedland, Spinifex Hill Studio

Spinifex Hill Studio’s, the first dedicated professional aboriginal arts center, opened in Port Hedland last week.

Local aboriginal artists were joined by dignitaries and hundreds of people from across the Pilbara to celebrate the historic opening.

For more information on the center, including opening times, click here.

Banjima people celebrate recognition after a battle in the Federal Court

Posted: March 14th, 2014

Filed under: Banjima, Federal Court, Karijini, Maitland Parker, Native Title Determination, WA State Government

Banjima Traditional Owners with Justice Barker at their on-country native title determination this week

On 11th March 2014, the Federal Court recognised the native title rights of the Banjima People at their on-country determination held in Karijini National Park in the Central Pilbara.

The Banjima People first lodged their native title claim in 1998 and have been in litigation with the WA State Government since 2011 after being unable to move forward with a negotiated outcome.

Maitland Parker, Banjima elder, said “We have fought for this for a long time, so to be recognised as traditional owners is very rewarding. Our elders have taught us all of the things we needed to get our determination. They have taught us our law, language and culture, which we will pass on our young people.”

Simon Hawkins, CEO for Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation said it was a momentous occasion for the Banjima people.

Click here to learn more.

Landmark High Court decision in favour of Traditional Owners

Posted: March 12th, 2014

Filed under: High Court of Australia, Mt. Goldsworthy, native title extinguishment, Ngarla, Pilbara, State of WA

The Ngarla People welcome today’s High Court decision, confirming that their native title rights were not extinguished by mining leases. The landmark ruling by the Court dismissed arguments by the Western Australian Government that 50 year-old mining leases, granted over areas 150km east of Port Hedland, permanently extinguished all native title rights in that land.

YMAC CEO Simon Hawkins said, “We congratulate the Ngarla people on this landmark High Court decision and their contribution to native title nationally.”

To listen to the ABC Rural interview with YMAC CEO Simon Hawkins regarding the landmark decision click  here.

To read the full media release click here.