Pilbara

Nyiyaparli people sign major iron ore mining agreement

Posted: August 20th, 2012

Filed under: agreement, BHP Billiton, Newman, Nyiyaparli, Pilbara, YMAC

The Nyiyaparli people of the Pilbara region of WA have announced that they have entered into a major mining agreement with BHP Billiton Iron Ore (BHPBIO). The agreement covers all of BHPBIO’s iron ore operations within the Nyiyaparli people’s native title claim and offers substantial heritage protection, financial benefits, and non-financial benefits to the Nyiyaparli people.

Click here to download the full media release from our website.

YMAC congratulates the Nyiyaparli people on the successful negotiations.

New YMAC publication offers cultural advice

Posted: August 14th, 2012

Filed under: Cultural Awareness, Cultural Protocols, Pilbara, Yamatji., YMAC

YMAC has today launched a Cultural Advice booklet for people working with Aboriginal people in the Midwest or Pilbara regions of WA. The booklet was produced with the advice and guidance of Traditional Owners, to give a short summary of cultural protocols people should be aware of. “Each of the native title claim groups we represents has their own unique culture, but this guide has been designed to give broad advice for meetings and on-country visits. Non-Indigenous people from the private sector or government often come to do business with Traditional Owners and ask for advice on protocols. This guide serves as a good starting point,” said YMAC CEO Simon Hawkins. Download a pdf version from YMAC’s website here, or email srosenfeld@ymac.org.au if you would like to receive a hard copy.

Congratulations to YMAC’s Nyaparu Rose – Landcare Award Finalist

Posted: August 9th, 2012

Filed under: 2012 National Landcare Awards, Coastal Protection, Landcare Australia, Nyaparu Rose, Pilbara, Pilbara Indigenous Marine Reference Group, YMAC

The finalists for the 2012 National Landcare Awards have been announced, and all Australians can get involved by voting in the ‘People’s Choice’ category.

Landcare is a community based volunteer movement made up of individuals and groups who work on managing environmental issues in their local areas. The awards aim to showcase the breadth and diversity of the work undertaken by people across the country who volunteer their time to protect Australia’s land and coast.

YMAC would like to extend a special congratulations to Nyangumarta woman, Nyaparu Rose, who has been selected as a finalist. Ms Rose has worked tirelessly with Pilbara Traditional Owners to ensure their voice is heard in discussions about the management of coastal and marine environments in the region.

Ms Rose helped to establish the Pilbara Indigenous Marine Reference Group (PIMRG), which includes representatives from six Pilbara Traditional Owner groups. The PIMRG aims to consolidate traditional knowledge from the region so that Traditional Owners can more effectively conduct negotiations with government and industry on cultural and coastal protection.

If you would like to vote for Nyaparu Rose in the National Landcare Awards, click here and follow the prompts. Ms Rose is in category 7, under ‘WA – Yamatji Marlpa’.

Voting closes 4pm (EST) Tuesday 4th September, and winners will be announced that day at the Awards ceremony, held at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre.

YMAC would like to congratulate all finalists who have been nominated for an award.

Click here for more information on Nyaparu Rose’s achievements, and here for a list of all the other 2012 Landcare Awards finalists.

Singers and Stall Holders Wanted for the Red Earth Arts Festival 2012

Posted: July 31st, 2012

Filed under: Dampier, Karratha, PAN International., Pilbara, Point Samson, Red Earth Arts Festival, Roebourne, Shire of Roebourne, Wickham

The Red Earth Arts Festival 2012 kicks off later next month in the Shire of Roebourne, and organisers are seeking people to perform in a mass choir at the ‘Voices and Lights’ event taking place on Sunday 2 September 2012 at Hearson’s Cove.

You don’t need to be a ‘singer’ to join the choir, just the enthusiasm to take part!

There will be a series of rehearsals leading up to the event, starting on Monday 20 August 2012. For more information, or to register your interest, please contact Tangiora Hinaki on 0437 921 445 or email reafchoir@gmail.com

Organisers are also looking for stall holders to take part in the Karratha Community Celebration, which will be held on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 September 2012. The KCC is will be the final event of the festival, and is expected to attract an audience of over 5000 local community members.

This is a great opportunity for you to sell and showcase your wares. Both food and crafts-related stalls are welcome, and community/sporting groups who are looking to attract new members are also encouraged to apply.

If you are interested, please contact Tamsin Young on 0414 540 900 or email tamsin.y@paninternational.com.au by Friday 3 August 2012 to apply.

The Red Earth Arts Festival 2012, run by PAN International, will take place from 31st August to 23rd September 2012 across Karratha, Dampier, Roebourne, Wickham and Point Samson.

Under this year’s theme, “Bringing the World to the Pilbara”, the REAF aims to give both local and external artists from a wide range of backgrounds the chance to exhibit their work. The festival will present creative and professional development workshops, performances from local arts and cultural groups, and entertainment from across the country. For more information, visit the festival’s website.

Are You The Next Pilbara Girl?

Posted: July 19th, 2012

Filed under: Goolarri Media, Karratha, Pilbara, Pilbara Girl, Port Hedland, Roebourne

The final heats for Pilbara Girl 2012 are coming up, and after the success of this week’s workshops in Port Hedland, there are still a few places left to be in the running for the crown.

Workshops will be run in Roebourne from Monday 23rd July to Friday 27th July, followed by a final heat on the Friday evening at 7pm. The workshops and heat will both take place at the Roebourne Community Hall.

The final contestants will then attend workshops in Karratha the following week from Monday 30th July to Friday 3rd August at the Youth Shed, before partaking in the final pageant on Friday 3rd August at 7pm, at the Tambrey Centre, Karratha.

The workshops aim to promote leadership skills and build self confidence, while the pageants showcase the beauty of our local Indigenous women and culture to the wider community.

Indigenous women aged 16 to 25 from Karratha, Roebourne and surrounding communities are encouraged to apply. If you are interested, please contact Nommie Wade on (08) 9195 5333, or email events@gme.com.au

The program is also looking for volunteers for the Roebourne final heat on the 27th July, and the Karratha final pageant on the 3rd August. Six ladies are needed to help the girls change backstage on both nights.

There is also the opportunity for community groups to fundraise on each night.

The organisers are additionally looking for an Indigenous person to share their personal journey with the girls during the workshops. If you have a story about overcoming obstacles that you think will inspire his year’s Pilbara Girls, please contact Tangiora Hinaki on 0437 921 445, or email hinakihard@bigpond.com 

For more information on previous Pilbara Girl programs, visit Goolarri Media’s website.

New youth network in Roebourne

Posted: June 18th, 2012

Filed under: community development, Indigenous youth, Pilbara, Shire of Roebourne

The Shire of Roebourne is creating a new Youth Leadership Network to engage young people in learning, leadership and community development.

The goal of the project is to raise public awareness of youth issues and address negative stereotypes by actively involving young people in the planning of community events, programs and activities.

The Shire is looking for 15-25 year-olds from a variety of different backgrounds to get on board.

For more information, or to register for the Youth Leadership Network, please phone Kim McColl at the Shire of Roebourne on (08) 9186 8555 or email kimberly.mccoll@roebourne.wa.gov.au

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

YMAC attends launch of ‘Kurlumarniny- We come from the desert’

Posted: May 4th, 2012

Filed under: Monty Hale, Nyangumarta, Pilbara, Pilbara strike, Warralong



At the book launch in Warralong yesterday

Yesterday YMAC representatives attended the launch of Monty Hale’s bilingual book ‘Kurlumarniny – We come from the desert’ at the Warralong community.

Rail industry career opportunities through Pilbara Indigenous Association

Posted: April 30th, 2012

Filed under: Bloodwood Tree Association, Indigenous Employment and Training, job vacancy, Laing O'Rourke, Pilbara

Indigenous people will soon have a greater opportunity to work in the rail construction industry through a new joint initiative between the Bloodwood Tree Association and international construction company Laing O’Rourke.