YMAC Members’ News

Native title agreement for the Kurama and Marthudunera (K&M) people over iron ore project

Posted: April 16th, 2014

Filed under: agreement, Kuruma Marthudunera, Pannawonica, Pilbara, Red Hill Iron

The Kurama and Marthudunera (K&M) people of the Pilbara region of Western Australia are pleased to announce an agreement with Iron Ore miners Red Hill Iron Ltd (RHI). The agreement covers RHI’s Pannawonica project, about 120 km south of Cape Preston.

Negotiations were completed in approximately six months, with the resulting agreement giving RHI native title approvals for its project. The K&M people will receive financial benefits and compensation from the company, which reflects the importance to the K&M people of minimising the impact of mining projects on their traditional country.

Download the full media release here.

Congratulations to the Badimia people and the Bundiyarra-Irra Wangga Language Centre

Posted: April 11th, 2014

Filed under: Badimaya Dictionary, Badimia, Bundiyarra Irra Wanga language program, Kirkalocka Station, language, Mt Magnet, Ollie George, Yamaji Language Centre

Badimia elder Ollie George and Bundiyarra linguist James Bednell at the launch of the Badimaya Dictionary

YMAC congratulates the Badimia people and the Bundiyarra-Irra Wangga Language Centre on the launch of the new Badimaya Dictionary. Badimia people can be proud that their culture and language is being preserved and developed into educational resources that can be shared across generations.

Several Badimia families, led by elder Ollie George, have worked on this project over the last 20 years. In the early 1990s initial preservation work was started by The Yamaji Language Centre, and the project was transferred to Bundiyarra – Irra Wangga Language Centre in 2005. Since 2012, Bundiyarra has collected more than 60 hours of audio and 10 hours of video recordings.
The dictionary was launched at a celebration on Badimia country at Kirkalocka station on 10 April. A Badimaya Guwaga wordlist and Alphabet Poster have also been developed alongside the dictionary, and will now join other Badimia language resources available from Bundiyarra, including story books, a photographic calendar and a picture book. For more information and to order any of these resources visit www.bundiyarra.org.au.

Tykeira Ward at the launch of the Badimaya Dictionary

Joan, Louwana and Alan Walsh at the launch of the Badimaya Dictiona

Our Tom Price office has moved

Posted: March 28th, 2014

Filed under: Tom Price., YMAC

Our office in Tom Price has moved just up the road. We are continuing to serve the Traditional Owners of the Pilbara from our new premises at lot 974 Central Road in Tom Price.

All of our other contact details remain the same, and you can always reach your nearest YMAC office for free by calling 1300 7 12345.

Banjima people celebrate recognition after a battle in the Federal Court

Posted: March 14th, 2014

Filed under: Banjima, Federal Court, Karijini, Maitland Parker, Native Title Determination, WA State Government

Banjima Traditional Owners with Justice Barker at their on-country native title determination this week

On 11th March 2014, the Federal Court recognised the native title rights of the Banjima People at their on-country determination held in Karijini National Park in the Central Pilbara.

The Banjima People first lodged their native title claim in 1998 and have been in litigation with the WA State Government since 2011 after being unable to move forward with a negotiated outcome.

Maitland Parker, Banjima elder, said “We have fought for this for a long time, so to be recognised as traditional owners is very rewarding. Our elders have taught us all of the things we needed to get our determination. They have taught us our law, language and culture, which we will pass on our young people.”

Simon Hawkins, CEO for Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation said it was a momentous occasion for the Banjima people.

Click here to learn more.

Landmark High Court decision in favour of Traditional Owners

Posted: March 12th, 2014

Filed under: High Court of Australia, Mt. Goldsworthy, native title extinguishment, Ngarla, Pilbara, State of WA

The Ngarla People welcome today’s High Court decision, confirming that their native title rights were not extinguished by mining leases. The landmark ruling by the Court dismissed arguments by the Western Australian Government that 50 year-old mining leases, granted over areas 150km east of Port Hedland, permanently extinguished all native title rights in that land.

YMAC CEO Simon Hawkins said, “We congratulate the Ngarla people on this landmark High Court decision and their contribution to native title nationally.”

To listen to the ABC Rural interview with YMAC CEO Simon Hawkins regarding the landmark decision click  here.

To read the full media release click here.

CAMPFIRE YARNS WITH CLARRIE CAMERON

Posted: February 19th, 2014

Filed under: Clarrie Cameron, Free Event, Magabala Books, Perth Writers Festival, Tropical Grove, University of Western Australia, Yamatji., yarns

YMAC member and Nhanhagardi man Clarrie Cameron who launched his book Elephants in the Bush and other Yamatji Yarns last September will be appearing at the Perth Writers Festival this weekend.

Clarrie will share his stories at a free event on Saturday, February 22 at 4pm at the Tropical Grove in the grounds of the University of Western Australia.

For more information click here.

Elephants in the Bush and other Yamatji Yarns will be available for purchase on the day. If you’re unable to make it to the festival it is also available from all good bookshops and online from Magabala Books for $19.95.

YMAC News issue 23

Posted: February 18th, 2014

Filed under: Aboriginal Leadership, AIM WA WestBusiness Pinnacle Awards, Monkey Mia, The Miners, YMAC News

The latest issue of YMAC News is now available online.

Our cover story features YMACs recognition from the Western Australian business community for excellence in the area of Aboriginal Leadership Development at the inaugural AIM WA/WestBusiness Pinnacle Awards on 28 November 2013.

In this issue you can read about the historic discovery of a rare wooden artifact found in Monkey Mia.

There is also information about a number of agreements YMAC has been working on throughout the regions. As well as a except from a recently published book The Miners – Stories from the industry that drives modern Australia, by Barry Avery, in which CEO Simon Hawkins is featured.

Click here to download YMAC News issue 23 or browse earlier issues here.

Badimia Country Job Opportunity with Minjar Gold

Posted: December 13th, 2013

Filed under: Badimia, Minjar Gold

Minjar Gold is currently seeking to recruit an experienced Site administrator for their gold mine project located in the Gascoyne region of WA. Badimia people are invited to apply. Applications close Tuesday 17^th Dec 2013. (more…)

YMAC holiday shutdown and heritage survey break

Posted: December 9th, 2013

Filed under: Geraldton, Perth, South Hedland, Tom Price., YMAC Board of Directors

YMAC’s Board of Directors, Regional Committee, Management and Staff wish you a happy, healthy holiday.

For many Aboriginal Communities in the Midwest and Pilbara, December to January is a special time of year to observe cultural obligations and practices.
Out of respect for these traditions, YMAC will not be conducting any heritage surveys between Monday 16 December 2013 and Monday 3 February 2014.
Any heritage survey requests received after 16 December will be scheduled to commence after 3 February.
Thank you for your understanding.
All YMAC offices in Perth, Geraldton, South Hedland and Tom Price will be closed during the festive season from Monday 23rd December 2013, re-opening on Thursday 2 January 2014.