Yamatji Region News

Geraldton goes Wajarri

Posted: November 17th, 2014

Filed under: City of Greater Geraldton, language, spaced, Wajarri

Berlin-based artist Pia Lanzinger has developed a project called Geraldton goes Wajarri, as part of a larger program by Perth-based arts organization Spaced. Geraldton goes Wajarri  is designed to provide a forum for the conservation of this language by smuggling Wajarri into the public spaces of the City of Greater Geraldton (Jambinu). 

Although Amangu is the traditional language of the area, today Wajarri is the most commonly spoken Aboriginal language in the Greater Geraldton region of Western Australia.

The launch of Geraldton goes Wajarri, including “adopt a word” will be held this Thursday 20th November, 6 – 7:30pm at the Geraldton Regional Library.

For more information visit http://www.spaced.org.au/projects/pia-lanzinger/

Wajarri Driving Program

Posted: October 31st, 2014

Filed under: Driving, Wajarri, Young People

Having a drivers license is a very important step in securing a job, particularly in country area’s where public transport is limited.

Wajarri Community members recognised the difficulty some young people were experiencing in obtaining a drivers license, particularly in regards to completing their log book hours. In conjunction with Sinosteel Midwest Corporation the community was able to set up the Wajarri Drive Program which provides Wajarri young people with the opportunity to log 50 hours with the Keen Brothers Driving School.

This year’s program has already received some great feedback from participants. If you are interested in being involved in 2015 you can register with Sinosteel Midwest’s Wajarri Liaison Officer Marianne Miller on 0457 020 152 or email mmiller@smcl.com.au

Help to write Geraldton’s history

Posted: October 16th, 2014

Filed under: Aboriginal history, City of Greater Geraldton, Geraldton Regional Library

Aboriginal people of the Geraldton area are invited to a community meeting at the Bundiyarra ACAC, hosted by the City of Greater Geraldton on Friday 24 October 10am-1pm. 

The next title in the popular Mid West Heritage Series, published by the Geraldton Regional Library, will be about the Aboriginal History of the Geraldton area. A Reference Group will be put together so that this booklet can be written in partnership with the community.

For any queries, please contact Nola Gregory (Aboriginal Community Development Officer), nolag@cgg.wa.gov.au, 9956 6600 or Trudi Cornish (Heritage Services Coordinator), trudic@cgg.wa.gov.au, 9956 6659.

Will you join us?

Posted: September 24th, 2014

Filed under: Aboriginal Heritage Act, Department of Aboriginal Affairs, Yule River

The State Government’s proposed changes to the Aboriginal Heritage Act will lead to even weaker protection for Aboriginal heritage sites than we have now. Join us this Friday 26 September to show the State that Aboriginal people care about their heritage and need to have a say in what happens to it.

All Aboriginal people from WA are invited to attend an on-Country meeting at the traditional Yule River meeting place (55kms south of Port Hedland) at 11 am this Friday to discuss the proposed changes. You will have a chance to ask questions, and listen to speakers ranging from respected elders to academics and politicians.

Click here for more information about the meeting and about the issues.

It’s time to strengthen Aboriginal heritage protection

Posted: September 12th, 2014

Filed under: Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 (WA), heritage protection, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Petition, WA State Government

Join us in petitioning the State Government

As you probably know, YMAC is organising a meeting on Country on 26 September 2014 to discuss the proposed changes to the Aboriginal Heritage Act, at the request of the Pilbara Regional Committee.

We are now circulating a petition urging the State Government to develop a meaningful framework for reform of the Act that empowers Aboriginal people and builds on previous reviews of Aboriginal heritage legislation.

Click here to download your copy of the petition.

This petition is not limited to the Aboriginal community. Please circulate it as widely as possible, through your professional and personal networks, to make an impact on the WA State Government.

Original signatures (not scans) need to be returned to YMAC at PO Box 3072, 249 Hay Street, East Perth WA 6892 by 31 October 2014 so it can be presented to the State Parliament.

For more information on the changes or the reviews referred to in the petition, go to www.aboriginalheritage.net.au.

Thank you for your support, and we hope to see you on 26 September at Yule River.

NITV Documentary – Our Footprint

Posted: August 12th, 2014

Filed under: Badimaya, Film and Television Institute WA, Indigenous Community Stories initiative, Jurruru, NITV, ScreenWest, Wajarri

Tomorrow night NITV will be showing the documentary Our Footprint featuring Wajarri Traditional Owner Ross Boddington.

The film is part of the Indigenous Community Stories initiative, a joint project from ScreenWest, Rio Tinto, Leighton, Ngarda and the Film and Television Institute (FTI) WA. The initiative has captured many stories from across Western Australia. Among them are stories from Jurruru, Wajarri and Badimaya. For more information on the project click here to visit the FTI website.

Our Footprint with Ross Boddington will be shown on NITV at 7.30pm, 13th August.

Exhibition at Bundiyarra honours Aboriginal military service in the Midwest and Gascoyne

Posted: June 18th, 2014

Filed under: Bundiyarra, Geraldton, NAIDOC week 2014, serving country

YMAC News issue 24 now available for download

Posted: June 16th, 2014

Filed under: Banjima, Gnulli, High Court of Australia, Kuruma Marthudunera, Ngarla, YMAC News

The latest issue of YMAC News is now available for you to download. Our cover story is about the Banjima people’s on-country native title determination at Karijini National Park, and includes lots of photos from the day.

There is also a story about a significant win in the High Court by the Ngarla people that will have ramifications for native title claims nation-wide.

The Kurama and Marthudunera people and the Gnulli people have both entered into agreements with resource companies that are featured in this issue.

Click here to read these stories and more.

You can send your feedback to editor@ymac.org.au. Thank you for reading this issue of YMAC News!

Opportunity to attend National Coast to Coast Conference 2014

Posted: June 11th, 2014

Filed under: Coastal Protection, NACC, National Coast to Coast conference, natural resource management., Northern Agricultural Catchment Council

The Northern Agricultural Catchment Council (NACC) is offering a subsidy for up to four  coastal community members from across the Northern  Agricultural Region to attend the  Coast to Coast Conference 2014 to be held in Mandurah between 27-31 October 2014.

The Coast to Coast Conference is a forum for people with an interest in coastal, estuarine and marine matters to meet and to share knowledge and experiences in the areas of management, science, policy, governance, advocacy and other related topics. Click here for more information about the conference.

Expressions of interest are now being sought by NACC for community members from the Northern Agricultural Region (from the Shire of Gin Gin to Shire of Northampton) who are involved in land management or coastal care in their communities.

Click here for more information and an Expression of Interest form. Deadline for submission is 30 June.