Yamatji Region News

City of Geraldton Community Grants

Posted: February 7th, 2012

Filed under: community grants, Geraldton

This week is the last chance to put in applications for the City of Greater Geraldton’s Recurrent Community Grants Program for 2012.

The aim of the program is to provide assistance to local community groups and organisations that make positive contributions to the quality of life within the Greater Geraldton region.

Applications for Recurrent Community Grants may be submitted in the following categories:

• Cultural Grant – Opportunities for Creativity
• Economy Grant – Opportunities for Prosperity
• Environmental Grant – Opportunities for Sustainability
• Social Grant – Opportunities for Lifestyle

This is a great opportunity for Geraldton not-for-profit organisations to gain some financial support for their projects that benefit the community.

Applications close 10 February 2012. For more information and to download an application kit, visit the City of Greater Geraldton’s website.

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.

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/ 

YMAC leads the way in agreement making

Posted: August 12th, 2011

Filed under: agreements, Gnulli, Kariyarra

This week has been a busy one for both regions of YMAC, with the Kariyarra and Gnulli native title groups signing agreements that secures both financial and cultural heritage benefits for the communities involved.

Congratulations to all parties involved in these agreements. YMAC looks forward to continuing to achieving great results for our clients and leading the way in agreement making in Australia.

Kariyarra agreement paves the way for development in Port Hedland

On Monday 8 August, the Kariyarra people and the WA State Government signed a native title agreement which will pave the way for much needed residential and commercial development of land in the Town of Port Hedland.

The Department of Regional Development and Lands (DRDL) has agreed to transfer a number of parcels of land to the Kariyarra people, in exchange for their consent to the release of land within the South Hedland townsite and port of Port Hedland. Under the agreement, a total of around 5,000 hectares of land will be transferred to the Kariyarra people. Key features of the agreement include the transfer of 10 hectares of freehold land in South Hedland suitable for residential development and land at 12 Mile for rural residential development. The Kariyarra people will also share in the profits from the sale of lots developed within the broader agreement area. The Kariyarra people will also gain management of several extensive reserves, which include important cultural sites.

Traditional Owners sign agreement to protect Indigenous heritage

On Thursday 11 August, Baiyungu Traditional Owners signed an agreement with Rio Tinto’s Dampier Salt to protect Indigenous heritage in WA’s Midwest. The signing ceremony between the Gnulli native title claim group and Rio Tinto took place at Dampier Salts Lake Macleod operation, some 100 kilometres north of Carnarvon.

The agreement signed between the two parties establishes guidelines on the protection of Indigenous culture, and importantly, the consultation of Traditional Owners on all heritage matters in the area. Lake Macleod is of special cultural significance to the Gnulli people, whose traditional country covers approximately 87,876 square kilometers of land and sea; including the towns of Carnarvon, Coral Bay and Exmouth. Lake Macleod is the westernmost lake in Australia and recognised as a wetland of national importance due to the abundance of birdlife and the fact that the lake is periodically inundated by freshwater.

New Heritage Survey Request Form

Posted: July 25th, 2011

Filed under: Heritage

As part of our commitment to constantly improve our services, YMAC has created a new Heritage Survey Request Form for all proponents wishing to undertake heritage surveys in the claim areas we represent.

The new Heritage Survey Request Form was created to improve the efficiency of our heritage services. Proponents requesting heritage surveys now have a single form listing all of YMAC’s requirements to begin planning a heritage survey for the earliest possible date. It is designed to assist proponents meet their requirements under their heritage agreements in a way that is clear and straightforward for all parties.

To coincide with the new Heritage Survey Request Form YMAC has launched a new email address heritage@ymac.org.au where all heritage survey requests can be lodged. This email address will  help prevent any delays in processing heritage survey requests and provide a single place for proponents to send material to ensure it is processed as efficiently as possible.

YMAC is committed to providing quality, professional heritage protection services for our clients, the Traditional Owners of the Midwest and Pilbara regions.

Please click here to download the Heritage Survey Request Form or visit the Heritage Protection page of our website.

YMAC CEO in WA Business News

Posted: July 19th, 2011

Filed under: Coral Bay, Eighty Mile Beach, Karijini, Simon Hawkins, Weld Range

This week, YMAC CEO Simon Hawkins, features on page 21 of WA Business News.

The article entitled ‘Travel Talk’ features Simon’s chosen travel destinations and covers some of his favourite places, including Karijini National Park, Weld Range, Coral Bay and 80 Mile Beach.

YMAC to appear on International media broadcaster Al Jazeera

Posted: July 11th, 2011

Filed under: Al Jazeera, Doris Eaton, Pilbara

This week, YMAC’s Pilbara Chairperson, Mrs Doris Eaton, took part in an on country interview with the international broadcaster, Al Jazeera.

Al Jazeera is a highly regarded international media network that broadcasts to more than 220 million households in more than 100 countries and is the most watched news channel on You Tube, receiving 2.5 million views per month.

The program, 101 East, will feature a documentary on the mining boom and Aboriginal culture in WA, in which YMAC will feature.

Click here for the network’s website. YMAC will also be posting the You Tube feed of the 101 East documentary on our website in August.

NAIDOC profile: Wula Guda Nyinda Aboriginal Cultural Tours

Posted: July 7th, 2011

Filed under: Darren Capewell, Malgana, NAIDOC, Nanda, Sahrk Bay, Wula Guda Nyinda

Darren “Capes” Capewell teaching stories of his country to YMAC staff

Wula Guda Nyinda Aboriginal Cultural Tours is an Indigenous tourism provider in the world heritage listed Shark Bay area. Owner and operator Darren “Capes” Capewell offers tourists a unique insight into the culture and country of the Indigenous people of Shark Bay.

A descendant of the Malgana and Nanda people, Capes is passionate about increasing understanding of and respect for Aboriginal culture.

He does this by offering a variety of tours that include bushwalking, kayaking, collecting bush tucker, and telling stories about the country and its first peoples. “I make all my tours interactive, so people participate in the experience,” he said.

Wula Guda Nyinda translates to “you come this way,” which refers to sharing stories, both between generations and between cultures. Capes sums up this approach with the philosophy of education, understanding and respect, which he stresses throughout his tours.

“I try to challenge negative stereotypes people have of modern Aboriginal people by presenting Aboriginal culture in a positive way. I want people to understand the culture and the country,” Capes said.

Capes works to advance the Indigenous tourism industry through his leadership in the Western Australian Indigenous Tourism Operators Committee, the Shark Bay World Heritage Committee and Indigenous Tourism Australia.

“I think education and awareness of Aboriginal culture is so important, for Aboriginal kids, and for non-Aboriginal people. NAIDOC week is a great thing, because it is a time all Australians can walk together, and learn together, about something that is very unique. We have the oldest living culture in the world, and that is something all Australians should be proud of.”

To learn more visit http://www.wulaguda.com.au/

Across Australia every July, NAIDOC Week celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. In honour of NAIDOC 2011 YMAC is featuring a series of Aboriginal people and organisations that contribute to the vibrant Aboriginal culture of the Midwest and Pilbara. For more information on NAIDOC including its history and events happening near you, visit http://www.naidoc.org.au/.

NIADOC profile: Yamaji Art

Posted: July 3rd, 2011

Filed under: ASKAP, Geraldton, NAIDOC, Yamaji Art

Yamaji Art is an Aboriginal owned and governed art centre in Geraldton, Western Australia which has been described as “the artistic voice of the Midwest”. It represents Aboriginal artists from many of the region’s towns and beyond, including Geraldton, Mullewa, Yalgoo, Meekatharra, Cue, Mt. Magnet, Carnarvon and even Port Hedland. Yamaji Art was founded two years ago as a business arm of Marra Indigenous Art and Design.

Yamaji Art supports its artists by providing materials, running workshops, and generally encouraging quality art by providing a safe space for creative expression. They help artists become self sufficient by connecting them with buyers locally, nationally and internationally.

Despite its relative youth as an organisation, Yamaji Art has had successful shows in Perth, Cairns, and Capetown, and is scheduled to have a show in Washington DC this October.

“I was born out in the bush, on Yallalong Station, so the trip was like going home for me. I paint what I know from that area in the Murchison, so the trip was very inspirational,” Olive Boddington said.

As a place where art and traditional culture meet, the collective serves as a place to house stories, foster creative development and skills, and bring artists of the Midwest into the Aboriginal art movement.

Across Australia every July, NAIDOC Week celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. In honour of NAIDOC 2011 YMAC is featuring a series of Aboriginal people and organisations that contribute to the vibrant Aboriginal culture of the Midwest and Pilbara. For more information on NAIDOC including its history and events happening near you, visit http://www.naidoc.org.au/.