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.
In 2026, YMAC organised the following Native Title Forums.
- Thursday, 2 April – Perth, at Liberty Flexible Workspaces, Flame Tree Boardroom, Level 5, 143 St Georges Terrace, Perth.
- Tuesday, 21 April – Geraldton, at the Geraldton Universities Centre, Rooms B1 And B2, 33 Onslow St, Geraldton.
- Thursday, 30 April – Hedland, at Wanangkura Stadium, Jimblebar Room, Hamilton Rd, South Hedland.
Unfortunately, due to low registrations numbers, YMAC has had to cancel the Native Title Forum in Hedland.
While a disappointing outcome, the event was simply deemed unviable without a higher level of interest from people wanting to attend.
YMAC is currently compiling summaries of the discussions that occurred at the Perth and Geraldton events, as well as versions of the presentations shared. Once we have all of this ready, we will share via the website, so that those unable to attend a forum this year can still access the information.
Please continue to check this page for updates as they are confirmed. Alternatively, contact YMAC Senior Projects Coordinator Teri O’Neill (E: toneill@ymac.org.au; P: 0418 115 908).
