Country, Culture, People, Future

October 2010

Aboriginal enterprise for Coral Bay

Posted: October 29th, 2010

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BAC Representatives with YMAC’s Co-Chairperson Roy Bellotti and CEO Simon Hawkins



An agreement signed this week between the Baiyungu Aboriginal Corporation (BAC) and Lands Minister Brendon Grylls, will allow for the development of much-needed housing for permanent workers and business owners in Coral Bay.
Involving the transfer of 30ha of land near the town centre, the agreement will enable the BAC to develop accommodation for people who live and work locally. The BAC has also agreed to lease a portion of the land back to the State Government, for the new seasonal staff accommodation facility planned for Coral Bay.
BAC Project Director, Noel Bridge, said it had taken several years of quality and focused work by the Corporation to reach a successful outcome. 
“Coral Bay is a stunning tourism destination, but the development of infrastructure has not kept up with demand.  The lack of quality housing for workers and business owners has made it very difficult to attract and retain staff.
Mr Bridge said the BAC had received support from the Gnulli Native Title Working Group and Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation, and had worked effectively with the WA Department for Regional Development and Land to reach this successful outcome.
Paul Baron Gnulli Working Group Chairman said the agreement would allow Traditional Owners to maintain their connection to their land, create jobs, economic development, and enhance the local community.
“These types of projects have the added advantage of giving visitors the chance to share Baiyungu land and culture,” he said.

Finland university students learn about WA Native Title

Posted: October 21st, 2010

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Sanna Nalder, our Geraldton-based Anthropologist, was recently invited to give two lectures at the Giellagas Institute at University of Oulu, Finland. Sanna spoke about WA Native Title and Aboriginal Heritage with Giellagas Institute researchers, staff and students of  Sami culture and language, anthropology, history and teaching.

Despite the cultural, geographical and historical differences,  Sanna says there there are similar concerns, sense of importance and responsibility shared by Finland’s Indigenous people, the Sami, when it comes to rights to land and cultural heritage protection.

The audience was interested in Australian Aboriginal culture in general as well as the research practices in Native Title and the high standard of proof required to prove that Native Title exists. As there is increasing mining interest in Finnish Lapland, the heritage protection practices used in Western Australia were also discussed.

Sanna will keep in touch with the staff at the institute and continue the discussion and exchange of ideas.
Links to Uni of Oulu:
http://www.oulu.fi/english/

Giellagas Institute:
http://www.oulu.fi/giellagas/en/index.html

Native Title Railway Agreement to Protect Rock Art

Posted: October 2nd, 2010

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This week Palyku native title claimants and Hancock Prospecting announced an agreement over the company’s proposed heavy haulage rail line to connect their Roy Hill project with Port Hedland.

The agreement provides financial and non-financial benefits, including payments to be used for protecting and managing the cultural heritage values relating to the Woodstock Abydos Reserve, one of the richest rock art centres in the world.

“In the negotiations, we made it clear that we don’t want any of our special places to be disturbed,” said Terry Jaffrey, a Palyku elder. “Hancock has agreed to avoid all sacred sites, and to provide funds to protect the Woodstock Abydos heritage listed area.”
The agreement also specifies a portion of the financial benefits to be used for an employment, training and education program and a Health and Elderly Support Fund. These programs are in addition to Hancock’s commitment to implement a Pilbara Indigenous Employment policy, and provide contracting preferences for Pilbara Indigenous companies.

“To us it’s a very important place,” said Jaffrey. “I spent most of my time over the last decade dealing with mining companies, looking after it, and I’ll keep on looking after it. That’s why we have to work with Hancock to make sure they don’t disturb anything. It’s very important to me and to our children’s children.”

This agreement with the Palyku people is the latest to be signed by Hancock over its rail corridor, which will affect several native title claims.

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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