Research Team
YMAC’s Research team consists of several anthropologists who work with Traditional Owners across our representative areas for a range of projects both pre- and post- determination.
Under the Australian process for a native title claim – as laid out in the Native Title Act 1993 – claimants must prove that continuity of connection to Country through traditional Laws and customs has continued to exist beyond European settlement. The role of an anthropologist in this process is to research and review archival documents, maps, and any other applicable information, conduct interviews and support consultant Anthropologists as well as to work together with Traditional Owners to create Reports which can go to the State of Western Australia or before the Federal Court.
Review the full list of YMAC’s functions under the Native Title Act here.
Native title research can take years to collect, analyse and refine, all to ensure that as many of the right people as possible are being heard and represented correctly. This work involves working closely with Traditional Owners connected to Country, as well as working closely with YMAC’s Legal and Spatial (mapping) teams.
Although a lot of this research is desktop based, our Research team also has the privilege of going out on Country throughout the process, to collaborate with Traditional Owners to demonstrate a continuous connection to an area of land. This can involve lengthy fieldtrips, which provide invaluable opportunities to learn about Country from Traditional Owners.
Once a native title determination has been reached, YMAC’s Research team still have a lot of work to do. Our best practice Return of Materials process allows us to ensure the materials collected throughout the claim process are given back to the rightful owners, which can take some time to organise and distribute correctly. You can read more about this process in the Return of native title material from Native Title Representative Bodies or Service Providers to Prescribed Bodies Corporate: A Best Practice Guide – a publication YMAC created in partnership with AIATSIS [the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies]*.
The Research team also works closely with the Legal, Land and Sea Management, Heritage, Spatial and PBC Executive Office departments to assist with many projects and negotiations in the post-determination space, including providing specialised anthropological advice.
* If your PBC is interested in commencing a return of research materials process with YMAC, email our Research team at research@ymac.org.au. They can share more about our various approaches, as well as help identify potential funding options to support the process available to PBCs.
Country is our mother, the provider and keeper of cultural belongings. Country and Culture go together. You can’t have one without the other.
Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners and custodians throughout Western Australia, and on whose Country we work. We acknowledge and respect their deep connection to their lands and waterways.
We honour and pay respect to Elders, and to their ancestors who survived and cared for Country.
Our offices are located on Whadjuk Country, Southern Yamatji Country, Yinggarda Country, Kariyarra Country, and Yawuru Country. We recognise the continuing culture, traditions, stories and living cultures on these lands and commit to building a brighter future together.
Disclaimer: Caution: Please be advised that this website may contain images, voices and names of deceased people.
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