Western Australian Indigenous Affairs

Indigenous Stories Wanted for WA Filmaking Initiative

Posted: June 28th, 2012

Filed under: Film and Television Institute (FTI), Indigenous Community Stories, Indigenous Culture, Indigenous Film, Leighton Holdings, Lotterywest, Ngarda Civil and Mining, Rio Tinto, ScreenWest

Do you have a story about your community or country that you would like to be remembered in 100 years?

Indigenous Community Stories is a new initiative aiming to capture one hundred West Australian Indigenous stories on film and digitally archive them so that they can be accessed by future generations for years to come.

There is currently a pressing need to record the culture of Indigenous communities across Western Australia, particularly the stories and reflections of senior community members. This project will create invaluable records of Australian cultural heritage and identity while encouraging Indigenous filmmaking in WA.

The Film and Television Institute (FTI), in partnership with Rio Tinto, ScreenWest, Leighton and Ngarda Civil and Mining, is calling for applications from Indigenous communities who are interested in recording and preserving their stories.

The story should focus on community and country. Successful communities will need to nominate a Community Liaison Officer to work on the project and will receive some funds to cover costs of the project.

For more information on Eligibility and Assessment Criteria, click here.

To apply for Indigenous Community Stories, download and complete the application form here, and return to FTI marked to the attention of Mandy Corunna, via:

– Email: mandy_corunna@staff.fti.asn.au
– Fax: (08) 9335 1283
– Post: PO Box 579, Fremantle, WA, 6959.

Applications close:
– 5:00pm Thursday 19 July 2012 for the July Selection Panel, and
– 5:00pm Friday 14 September 2012 for the September Selection Panel.

For queries or more information, contact Mandy Corunna at FTI on (08) 9431 6713 or mandy_corunna@staff.fti.asn.au

Want to work as part of the Indigenous Community Stories Film Crew?

Suitably qualified filmmakers are also wanted to record Indigenous Community Stories. If this sounds like something that may interest you, complete the expression of interest form here and return it to mandy_corunna@fti.asn.au by 19 July 2012.

Yamatji artists on show in Perth

Posted: June 11th, 2012

Filed under: Indigenous Arts, Mid West, Oakajee Port and Rail.

Artwork: Yalibirri Nesting Time Artist: Sonya Edney Copyright 2012

An art exhibition aimed at raising the profile of Indigenous artists from the mid-west region of Western Australia will open next week in Perth’s city centre.

The ‘Good Heart Mid-West Aboriginal Art Exhibition 2012’ is a community-based project backed by Oakajee Port and Rail, which will showcase work from contemporary and traditional Indigenous artists of WA’s mid-west region.

This is the fifth year the exhibition has been run in Perth, and in celebration of its continued success, Oakajee Port and Rail have announced a new devleopment grant for two participating artists. The recipients of these scholarships will receive art supplies and tutition at the Kidogo Art Institute in Fremantle.

The exhibition will be staged in the foyer of the QV1 Building from 18-22 June. Entry is free, 10am-4pm. All artwork is for sale.

For more information, visit the exhibition website.

Deadline extended for comment on WA heritage review

Posted: June 7th, 2012

Filed under: Aboriginal Heritage Act, Department of Indigenous Affairs

The WA Department of Indigenous Affairs yesterday announced that it has extended the deadline for lodging submissions on the Department’s Discussion Paper outlining proposed changes to the WA Aboriginal heritage regime.

The deadline for comments is now Tuesday, 26 June.

Click here for more information on the review and discussion paper

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

Wajarri Yamatji Traditional Owner Speaks Out On Proposed Heritage Reforms

Posted: May 25th, 2012

Filed under: ABC, Aboriginal Heritage Act, Anthony Dann, Department of Indigenous Affairs, Traditional Owners.

In an interview this morning on ABC Mid West radio, Wajarri Yamatji Traditional Owner, Anthony Dann, has responded to the State Government’s recent discussion paper on proposed changes to the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 (AHA).

In the interview, Mr Dann strongly outlined his concerns about the short timeframe for comment on such significant changes to the protection of Aboriginal heritage, and the lack of consultation with Traditional Owners over the proposed reforms.

Mr Dann said that Aboriginal people are rapidly losing their input into heritage development under the AHA, as Traditional Owners aren’t offered the same appeal opportunities as land developers.

After announcing a 12 month review into Aboriginal cultural heritage processes last May, the Government has held no formal consultation with Traditional Owners and only allowed five weeks for comment on the proposed changes to the AHA outlined in the discussion paper.

Mr Dann also said a significant review of the AHA was needed because it does not provide adequate protection for Aboriginal Heritage, and that Native Title negotiation processes are at present the only means for Traditional Owners to take part in consultations over protected Aboriginal sites.

For more information about the proposed reforms to the AHA, including links to the discussion paper and YMAC’s media release, please click here.

Changes to WA Aboriginal Heritage Act Anthony Dann Radio Interview May 2012

Posted: May 24th, 2012

In an interview on ABC Mid West radio, Wajarri Yamatji Traditional Owner, Anthony Dann, responded to the State Government’s 2012 discussion paper on proposed changes to the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 (AHA).

In the interview, Mr Dann strongly outlined his concerns about the short timeframe for comment on such significant changes to the protection of Aboriginal heritage, and the lack of consultation with Traditional Owners over the proposed reforms.

Mr Dann said that Aboriginal people are rapidly losing their input into heritage development under the AHA, as Traditional Owners aren’t offered the same appeal opportunities as land developers.

After announcing a 12 month review into Aboriginal cultural heritage processes last May, the Government has held no formal consultation with Traditional Owners and only allowed five weeks for comment on the proposed changes to the AHA outlined in the discussion paper.

Mr Dann also said a significant review of the AHA was needed because it does not provide adequate protection for Aboriginal Heritage, and that Native Title negotiation processes are at present the only means for Traditional Owners to take part in consultations over protected Aboriginal sites.

For more information about the proposed reforms to the AHA, including links to the discussion paper and YMAC’s media release, please click here.

Changes to WA Aboriginal Heritage Act Anthony Dann Rad…iew May 2012.m4a

Posted: May 24th, 2012

YMAC speaks out on proposed reforms

Posted: May 1st, 2012

Filed under: Aboriginal Heritage Act, Department of Indigenous Affairs, Simon Hawkins

The Minister for Indigenous Affairs has today released a discussion paper on proposed changes to the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972.

There has been no formal consultation on the proposed changes so far, including with Aboriginal people. Now there are just five weeks for the general public to comment on the proposals.

It is YMAC’s view that the proposals focus too much on the approval process for industry and not enough on improving processes for the effective conservation and protection of Aboriginal heritage sites.

Simon Hawkins, YMAC CEO said today, “Aboriginal people are not just another set of stakeholders. This is their heritage and they deserve an opportunity to provide meaningful input into the reform process. I am sceptical about the current process and of course the short timeframe will not allow for those negatively affected to have their say.”

Click here to download YMAC’s full media release.

Click here for the Department of Indigenous Affairs Discussion Paper

2012 NAIDOC Perth Awards

Posted: April 26th, 2012

Filed under: NAIDOC Perth Awards, NAIDOC Week 2012, Perth

The 2012 NAIDOC Perth Awards are seeking nominations for exceptional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals or organisations that have made a significant contribution to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community of Perth. Nominations can be submitted in any of the following categories:

1. Outstanding Achievement
2. Elder of the Year (Male)
3. Elder of the Year (Female)
4. Sportsperson of the year
5. Tertiary Scholar of the Year
6. Youth of the Year (Male)
7. Youth of the Year (Female)
8. Aboriginal Health Professional of the Year
9. Artist of the Year
10. Business of the Year
11. Non-for-profit Organisation of the Year
12. Carer of the Year
13. Community Person of the Year

Nominations close Sunday 20 May 2012.

The winners will be announced on Thursday 21 June 2012 at a special NAIDOC Perth Awards Ceremony at the Governor’s Ball Room and will be promoted throughout 1-7 July for NAIDOC Week 2012.

For guidelines and nomination forms, please click here.

For for more information about the NAIDOC Perth Awards, contact Gail Beck on  08 9358 7403  (during work hours) or  0411 093 870  (after hours).

For information on previous winners, visit the NAIDOC Perth Awards website.