YMAC Native Title Forums
Free to attend for Traditional Owners, as well as Prescribed Body Corporate (PBC) staff and directors, from within both of YMAC’s representative regions, our annual ‘Native Title Forums’ provide a great opportunity for attendees to network and learn more about native title, its related processes, the different roles and functions of various stakeholders (like YMAC and PBCs), current reforms and opportunities, sector updates, and much more.
2026 Native Title Forum dates confirmed – Let’s talk about water!
YMAC’s Native Title Forums are returning in 2026, with a specific focus on water.
Forums will be held in both the Yamatji and Marlpa regions, with an additional event this year in Perth – which is also to be attended by WA Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Water, Climate Resilience, Hon Don Punch MLA.
In Western Australia, the recognition of First Nations peoples’ rights and interests in water is highly complex and challenging. While the State Government acknowledges the importance of a partnership approach with First Nations peoples in managing water resources, the current legal framework does not fully address nor specifically allocate rights to water for Traditional Owners or their representative organisations.
The planned format of these forums will include:
- Presentations from the following State Government agencies on their roles, responsibilities, how they interact with one another, and current related work:
- Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER)
- Department of the Premier and Cabinet (DPC)
- Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage (DPLH)
- Department of Mines, Petroleum and Exploration (DMPE)
- National Native Title Council (NNTC) sharing information on its current work towards establishing new Inland Water Targets under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap
- Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) providing an overview of the legal landscape relating to water planning and licencing in WA
- Sharing, discussing, and prioritising areas requiring more attention, as well as strategies to achieve better outcomes in this space.
Register now for the following events by clicking on the links below. Please note the upcoming registration deadlines for each event.
- Thursday, 2 April – Perth, at Liberty Flexible Workspaces, Flame Tree Boardroom, Level 5, 143 St Georges Terrace, Perth
Registrations to attend in person and online closed Monday, 30 March - Tuesday, 21 April – Geraldton, at the Geraldton Universities Centre, Rooms B1 And B2, 33 Onslow St, Geraldton
Registrations close 12noon Wednesday, 15 April - Thursday, 30 April – Hedland, at Wanangkura Stadium, Jimblebar Room, Hamilton Rd, South Hedland
Registrations close 12noon Thursday, 23 April.
While the regional events will have a region-specific focus, PBC directors and staff from either of YMAC’s representative regions are welcome to attend any session that is convenient to them.
These are in-person events, however the Perth forum will have an opportunity to attend online. (Noting, attending online is likely to limit your opportunity to participate in some discussions.)
Please continue to check this page for updates as they are confirmed. Alternatively, contact YMAC Projects Coordinator Teri O’Neill (E: toneill@ymac.org.au; P: 0418 115 908).
