Yule River
Posted: May 9th, 2022
8th Annual On-Country Bush Meeting at Yule River
The 8th Annual On-Country Bush Meeting at Yule River saw over 500 people attend to discuss local empowerment and call on the government to Close the Gap for Aboriginal people in the Pilbara. Read the media statement here.
About the Annual On-Country Bush Meeting at Yule River
The Annual On-Country Bush Meeting at Yule River is an initiative of YMAC’s Pilbara Regional Committee to support vital discussions between First Nations peoples from across the Pilbara with government representatives. At the Pilbara Regional Committee’s instruction, YMAC acts as the event organiser for the workshop and meeting, providing project management, administrative and communications support.
It did not take place in 2022 due to COVID.
2023 program
Day One, Wednesday, 12 July 2023 – is for First Nations community members only. The agenda will include updates from YMAC on heritage protection, a presentation and discussion on the Voice referendum, and community discussion on a draft Call to Action prepared ahead of the meeting from a workshop with Elders and Emerging Leaders in April. See more on the Call to Action below.
From 6.00pm you are invited to an evening meal and cultural performance. The evening event will also feature the Country Rock/Pop band from WA, the Henry & Ranahl band.
Day Two, Thursday, 13 July 2023 – welcomes Ministers and other decision-makers from across government agencies/departments to hear the Call to Action and position statements discussed by community on Day 1. We anticipate the government representatives will collectively discuss and identify solutions to create change with attendees. The Hon. Linda Burney MP, Minster for Indigenous Australians has been invited to attend. We will also be welcoming the Hon.Tony Buti MLA, Minister for Education; Aboriginal Affairs; Citizenship and Multicultural Interests, Senator Dorinda Cox and the Commissioner for Children and Young People, Ms Jacqueline McGowan-Jones, along with several representatives from a range of government and community agencies.
Stalls
The event will also feature a range of stalls, including from the Pilbara Aboriginal Health Alliance, First Nations Clean Energy, ID Care/Cyber Resilience, Pilbara Regiment, YMAC, Department of Planning, Land and Housing and more.
If you have any queries in the meantime, please contact Pilbara Office by freecall: 1800 270 70.
The draft Call-to-Action
After a successful Pre-Yule River workshop held in South Hedland in April – involving Elders and Emerging Leaders from the Pilbara region – a DRAFT Call-to-Action has been finalised, ready for presentation and further discussion with the wider Pilbara community for discussion on Day 1 of the 2023 On-Country Yule River meeting.
This draft Call to Action reflects the voices, viewpoints, lived experiences and industry insights of the 35 participants. To enable full participation by attendees, it was facilitated by an independent Aboriginal consultant, who also assisted in the preparation of this DRAFT Call-to-Action. It makes connections to commitments sought by the community members present at the workshop to Western Australian (WA) State, and Federal strategic policies, including:
- The National Agreement on Closing the Gap (CtG)
- WA State Government Aboriginal Empowerment Strategy (AES)
- The United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP)
Following the April meeting, eleven people were nominated as a working group to further refine the draft Call-to-Action statement. YMAC recognises that most of the workshop participants primarily came from the Hedland area, and the Pilbara Regional Committee and the Working Group would like the statement to represent the broader Pilbara Aboriginal Community and therefore welcome further discussion on Day 1 of the Yule River meeting on Wednesday 12 July.
It is intended a final Call-to-Action will be presented to the Government and industry representatives attending on Day 2, Thursday 13 July. To view the DRAFT Call-to-Action prior to the event, please click here
To learn more about previous Annual On-Country Bush Meetings at Yule River, please visit our Media & Publications page and look at Media Releases and Galleries.
