YMAC Members' News

Jul6 2012

Djuba Dreaming: Badimia story on ABC

Posted: July 6th, 2012

Filed under: Badimia, Beverley Slater, Donald Clinch, Janice Slater, Mid West

The stories of three Badimia people are now up on the website for ABC local (Mid West and Wheatbelt). Janice Slater has contributed a very personal written story of memories of childhood on Badimia country. This is accompanied by a video featuring Beverley Slater and Donald Clinch reflecting on their ties to country, and showing beautiful footage of the land they love.

Click here to view both pieces

Jul2 2012

Happy NAIDOC week from YMAC!

Posted: July 2nd, 2012

Filed under: NAIDOC

Wishing you a happy and proud NAIDOC week from everyone at YMAC

For more information on NAIDOC week, and to find out about NAIDOC events near you, visit www.naidoc.org.au

Jun22 2012

Download YMAC News issue 18

Posted: June 22nd, 2012

Filed under: Aboriginal Heritage Act, Bundiyarra, Clarrie Cameron, Community Services Excellence Awards, Fred Taylor, Karajarri, Mabo, Ngarlawangga, Nyangumarta, Rico Resources, Wajarri Dictionary, YMAC News

The latest issue of YMAC News is now available from our website.

It includes stories on the Nyangumarta and Karajarri joint native title determination, proposed changes to the WA Aboriginal Heritage Act, an agreement between the Ngarlawangga people of the Pilbara and Rico Resources, YMAC’s recognition at a community service award ceremony, and the launch of the Wajarri Dictionary by the Bundiyarra Irra-Wangga language program.

There are also profiles on Clarrie Cameron in our regular section “Respect for elders”, successful Yamatji businessman Fred Taylor, and YMAC staff member Daniel Shiosaki.

We’ve included a special section on the 20th anniversary of the Mabo decision, a policy update from YMAC’s policy officer, and a selection of snapshots from around the community in the last few months.

Click here to download YMAC News from our website

If you have any stories or photos you’d like to share with us, elders who you think we should profile, questions about native title, or any other letters to the editor, send them to editor@ymac.org.au.

We hope you enjoy this issue of YMAC News.

Jun6 2012

Support for changes to native title

Posted: June 6th, 2012

Filed under: good faith, National Native Title Conference, native title, Puutu Kunti Kurrama Pinikura (PKKP), reform

Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation (YMAC) has welcomed today’s announcement by the Commonwealth Attorney-General, Nicola Roxon, of a package of reforms and additional funding to improve the efficiency of the native title system.

In particular, YMAC is pleased that the Government has committed to put forward amendments to incorporate criteria for good faith negotiations into the Native Title Act. This is in line with suggested amendments YMAC put to the Government in 2009, following FMG Pilbara Pty Ltd v Cox (2009).

Simon Hawkins, CEO, Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation said, “The High Court’s decision resulted in our push for these ‘good faith’ amendments, to set out clear expectations and certainty for all parties.

Importantly, these changes will require companies to discuss substantive issues within the six-month negotiation period, rather than stalling on preliminary matters such as protocols and timetables. These reforms have been under discussion for several years and we are very pleased to see the Government now moving towards design and implementation.”

The announcements at the National Native Title Conference in Townsville also included:

· Proposed amendments to allow parties to reach agreement over the historical extinguishment of native title over parks and reserves.

· The Government has agreed that financial payments to native title parties as part of agreements won’t attract income tax or Capital Gains Tax. This will guarantee that compensation paid for the impairment or loss of native title rights will be treated like other forms of compensation.

Jenny Macklin, Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs also addressed the conference, announcing a long-awaited review of the roles and functions of Native Title Representative Bodies. YMAC hopes this review demonstrates the extensive work Native Title Representative Bodies are doing to support native title groups as they move into a post-determination environment.

Jun1 2012

YMAC Commemorates Twentieth Anniversary of Mabo

Posted: June 1st, 2012

Filed under: Ben Roberts, Mabo, Pilbara Regional Committee, Thudgari, video, Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation, YMAC Board of Directors

This Sunday, 3 June, will mark 20 years since the landmark Mabo decision.

Watch Yamatji Committee member Ben Roberts share his experiences and reflections on the 20th anniversary of this milestone event in Austalian history.

This is the first in a series of interviews with our Committee and Board Members, as they share their stories of country and culture.

Jun1 2012

Ben Roberts

Posted: June 1st, 2012

Watch Yamatji Committee member Ben Roberts share his experiences and reflections on the 20th anniversary of this milestone event in Australian history.

May28 2012

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

On Friday May 25, the Federal Court handed down a native title determination to the Nyangumarta and Karajarri communities across shared country near 80 Mile Beach in Western Australia.

The Nyangumarta/Karajarri joint determination resolves two overlapping claims of the Nyangumarta and Karajarri peoples, two different tribal groups who share traditional laws and cultural connection to the area. Justice North handed down the Federal Court’s decision at an on-country determination at Anna Plains Station.

The Kimberley Land Council and the Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation acted on behalf of the Karajarri and Nyangumarta claimants to negotiate native title across 2,000 square kilometres of land and sea country across Anna Plains Station, a portion of Mandora Station and 80 Mile Beach, in the East Pilbara and West Kimberley regions of WA.

Kimberley Land Council Executive Board Member and Karajarri Traditional Owner Anthony Watson said the Nyangumarta/Karajarri joint native title determination highlighted how two tribal groups could work together to achieve land rights.

“Today’s determination is about co-operation and respect for each other. For these two groups to come together, acknowledge their shared interests in this country and achieve a successful native title consent determination is very powerful,’’ he said.

Nyangumarta Traditional Owner Margaret Rose said, “Years ago, this country was shared between the two groups, from way back. Native Title brought conflict because we each had to prove that the land was ours. But through strong connection to country, we were able to show how both groups are connected to the land together. This brings hope that other groups can follow this example and share country in a happy spirit. It’s appropriate that this is happening in reconciliation week.”

Simon Hawkins, CEO of YMAC, congratulated the groups on their achievement, “The Nyangumarta and Karajarri people should be very proud, this is a positive achievement for everyone. This is a historic day, and a cause for celebration.”

YMAC will be posting more photos and video from the determination on our website soon. For the full media release, click here

May25 2012

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.

May25 2012

Nyangumarta and Karajarri Joint Native Title Recognition, ABC Radio, May 2012

Posted: May 25th, 2012

On Friday May 25, the Federal Court handed down a native title determination to the Nyangumarta and Karajarri communities across shared country near 80 Mile Beach in Western Australia.

The Nyangumarta/Karajarri joint determination resolves two overlapping claims of the Nyangumarta and Karajarri peoples, two different tribal groups who share traditional laws and cultural connection to the area. Justice North handed down the Federal Court’s decision at an on-country determination at Anna Plains Station.

The Kimberley Land Council and the Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation acted on behalf of the Karajarri and Nyangumarta claimants to negotiate native title across 2,000 square kilometres of land and sea country across Anna Plains Station, a portion of Mandora Station and 80 Mile Beach, in the East Pilbara and West Kimberley regions of WA.

More information:

Federal Court recognises joint native title rights of the Nyangumarta and Karajarri people- 28 May 2012

Case Study: Joint native title rights for the Nyangumarta and Karajarri peoples

YMAC Members’ News