Western Australian 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.

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.

YMAC welcomes the Auditor General’s findings on heritage

Posted: October 17th, 2011

Filed under: Aboriginal Heritage Act, Auditor General, Department of Indigenous Affairs, Heritage, Peter Jeffries

YMAC welcomes the findings of the recent Auditor General’s report on compliance with mining conditions, which highlights what Traditional Owners already know: that Aboriginal heritage in WA is not being adequately protected by the State.

Eighty Mile Beach management plan now open for comment

Posted: October 5th, 2011

Filed under: Department of Environment and Conservation, Eighty Mile Beach, Janet Stewart, Minister Bill Marmion, Nyangumarta, Nyaparu Rose

Janet Stewart, Minister Marmion and Nyaparu Rose

Last week in Broome, the WA Minister for Environment Bill Marmion released the Indicative Management Plan for the proposed Eighty Mile Beach Marine Park. Nyangumarta traditional owners Nyaparu Rose and Janet Stewart attended the announcement on friday, as the Nyanguamrta people have had a significant involvement in the development of the Plan.

In a statement, Minister Marmion said, “The proposed Eighty Mile Beach marine park will provide protection for a unique and spectacular part of the lower west Kimberley coastline, while providing for sustainable tourism use and enjoyment of the area and the maintenance of Aboriginal culture and heritage.”

Eighty Mile Beach is an area rich in biodiversity and cultural heritage, and it is very important to the Nyangumarta people to use their vast traditional knowledge to manage the area responsibly.

The Management Plan, which will guide management of the park for the next ten years, is now open for public comment until 20 January, 2012. For more information or to download the Management Plan, go to http://www.dec.wa.gov.au/content/view/6717/2323/ .

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/ 

Welcome to Country artwork will greet visitors to WA’s new hospital

Posted: September 14th, 2011

Filed under: Aboriginal Art, Fiona Stanley Hospital

Artists Wendy Hayden and Deborah Bonar

YMAC is pleased to learn that huge pieces of Aboriginal artwork have been comissioned for the new Fiona Stanley Hospital in Perth. Aboriginal artists Ella Taylor (Kidja Heritage), Wendy Hayden (Nyoongar Heritage) and Deborah Bonar (Gija and Yamatji) have developed the sixteen metres of artwork on glass and a huge canvas in colaboration with the owner of the Kidogo Institute of Art, Joanna Robertson.

The artwork features representations of each of the five main regions of WA. “We wanted Aboriginal patients and visitors from anywhere in Australia to feel more comfortable when they come to the hospital,” explained Deborah Bonar.

“We felt as soon as they see the grasses and recognise the Aboriginal style of artwork, their first impression will be that they are in a place with familiar elements, in a place sympathetic to Aboriginal people, that respects Aboriginal values and connection to country and in turn will make them more comfortable and feel welcomed.”

Ms. Bonar has also been selected by the Revealed ArtWorker Program as one of three artists who will curate the art exhibition during CHOGM.

The Fiona Stanley Hospital is due to open in 2014, and the Welcome to Country artwork will acknowledge the Traditional Owners and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of WA’s Indigenous people.

Nyaparu Rose features in North West Telegraph

Posted: September 8th, 2011

Filed under: Nyangumarta, Nyaparu Rose

This week, Nyaparu Rose featured in the North West Telegraph and The West online where she discussed her recent State Land Care Award for the Pilbara Sea Country Project and her plans for Nyangumarta self determination.

To view the article, click here or open attached PDF;

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/regional/pilbara/a/-/news/10208628/rose-wins-care-award/

YMAC wins National Landcare Award

Posted: August 25th, 2011

Filed under: Nyangumarta, Nyaparu Rose, Pilbara

YMAC’s Senior Community Liaison Officer, Nyaparu Rose, has today won the ‘Leighton Holdings Indigenous Award’ at the 2011 WA Landcare Awards.

The awards are part of a conference being held in conjunction with the 7th International Symposium on Digital Earth (ISDE7) at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Nyaparu Rose was nominated by YMAC for her work with Traditional Owners on the Pilbara Sea Country Plan project. Congratualtions Nyaparu on your success and we look forward to soon hearing more news about the successful project. 

Kariyarra Joint Venture Corporation in land development deal

Posted: July 28th, 2011

Filed under: Brendon Grylls, Department of Regional Development and Lands, Kariyarra, Kariyarra Mugarinya Joint Venture, Port Hedland

The Kariyarra Mugarinya Joint Venture, a corporation that is run by the Kariyarra native title claim group and Mugarinya Community Association, is today celebrating the commencement of a joint property venture with the Department of Regional Development and Lands.

The deal provides funds to develop 12ha of residential land in Port Hedland that was allotted to the Kariyarra Maugarinya Joint Venture in 2007.

YMAC assisted the Kariyarra people to set up the Joint Venture and receive the land allotment, and is very pleased that Kariyarra Mugarinya has now secured this deal that will help develop housing and security for the community into the future. This is a great outcome for the Kariyarra people and YMAC congratulates them for their work through the Joint Venture that has resulted in this development deal.

Regional Development and Lands Minister Brendan Grylls is hosting an event to celebrate the announcement of the joint property venture in South Hedland today.