Country, Culture, People, Future

May 2011

New publication for Traditional Owners

Posted: May 27th, 2011

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YMAC Community Guide

YMAC has just released a guide for the community on native title and YMAC services. 

YMAC’s new Community Guide is the most comprehensive guide to understanding native title and our services that YMAC has ever produced.
Native Title is a very complex area of law and it can be difficult to understand how the Native Title Act, case law, government policy and heritage laws fit together.

YMAC’s new Community Guide brings together what claimants need to know about native title along with a guide to the non-native title services offered by YMAC in a way that is clear and easy to understand.
The YMAC Community Guide will be sent out to all YMAC members and claimants this month. Members and claimants should make sure that YMAC has their current address to ensure that they receive their copy. Anyone may request a copy by contacting one of our offices.
 An electronic version is also available from https://www.ymac.org.au/go/information-centre/factsheets-and-forms The electronic version contains sections that can be downloaded individually, on Who we Are, About Native Title, Research, Heritage and Community, Future Acts and Agreements, Travel Allowance, and More Information, Membership and Key Terms.
 
YMAC CEO Simon Hawkins said, “This publication was requested by our Board Of Directors, who feel it is important that the community have a single document that explains native title and YMAC services. The publication also answers the most frequently asked questions from our clients about native title.
 
“The more native title claimants understand the complex process of native title, the better they will be able to make the right decisions for their families and communities. This can also be a tool for teaching younger generations about native title and the opportunities available through their land council.”

National Sorry Day

Posted: May 26th, 2011

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Today is ‘National Sorry Day’, an event held each year on 26 May to express regret over the historical mistreatment of Aboriginal people. The day was chosen in commemoration of the Bringing Them Home report being handed to the federal government on 26 May 1997.

From 27 May till 3 June its also National Reconciliation Week (NRW), which celebrates the rich culture and history of the First Australians.

For more information on this event, visit: http://www.reconciliation.org.au/home

Geraldton community to have their say about constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

Posted: May 19th, 2011

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To address the issue of constitutional recognition for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,the Australian Government has appointed an expert panel, co-chaired by Professor Patrick Dodson and Mr Mark Leibler AC.

The panel is undertaking a broad national consultation program to seek views from across the Australian community about ideas for recognising Indigenous Australians in our nation’s Constitution.

Mr Fred Chaney and Mr Bill Lawson will be holding a public consultation in Geraldton on Wednesday 25 May 2011 12:30pm at 2:30pm at the Ocean Centre Hotel in Geraldton.

This event offers an opportunity for the Geraldton community to join this important national conversation, to hear about the work of the Expert Panel and more importantly to offer their views and ideas about Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Australians.

To learn more about the national discussion on constitutional recognition for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, check out the You Me Unity website. To learn more about the expert panel click here.

For more information about the public consultation in Geraldton or to RSVP to the event call  (02) 6219 7759 or email  James.Malar@fahcsia.gov.au

YMAC Regional Committee and Board of Directors Meetings

Posted: May 11th, 2011

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Last week the Yamatji Regional Committee and the Pilbara Regional Committee met in Exmouth for the second Regional Committee meetings of 2011. The Regional Committee meetings were followed by a meeting of the Board of Directors.

Attendance was high as the Board and Committee members met to discuss YMAC’s policy direction. The Board and Committees received updates from legal, research and communications units, and an overview of YMAC’s achievements since the last Committee meetings. The Committee members also used the opportunity to discuss heritage and cultural issues in the regions.

YMAC is run by our Board of Directors made up of 12 Aboriginal people who have been chosen by our members from the Regional Committees. The Board of Directors makes important policy decisions and sets the direction for YMAC.

Both regions have their own Regional Committee to represent the concerns and interests of the different communities in their region. Each region elects its own Regional Committee members.

All members are eligible to nominate for their Regional Committee. Membership is open to all Yamatji and Marlpa adults. If you would like to become a YMAC member click here to download a YMAC membership form.

Applications open for Community Liaison Officers

Posted: May 3rd, 2011

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YMAC is seeking motivated and enthusiastic individuals who have a strong desire to work with Aboriginal communities within the Yamatji and Pilbara regions and advancing their interests through the native title process.

There are positions based in YMAC’s Geraldton, Karratha and South Hedland Offices.

You would be working to ensure claimants are informed and can participate in the management of their native title claims. You would also be acting as a source of information to the community about the organisation, the native title act and other relevant matters.

To be considered for this position, you must address briefly in your letter the following selection criteria:

• Ability to effectively and sensitively communicate and work within a team environment

• Excellent verbal, written, communication skills

• Proficiency with computers

• Good understanding of Aboriginal people, their culture and decision making processes

• Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills

• Current unrestricted manual ‘C’ class license is essential.

For further information about this position, please contact Human Resources on (08) 9268 7000.

Under S.50 (d) of the Equal Opportunity Act, an applicant’s Indigenous background is a genuine occupational qualification.

Job descriptions and an application form are available on our website www.yamatji.org.au, or contact Human Resources on (08) 9268 7000 or email jobs@ymac.org.au.

All applications must include a covering letter, completed application form, resume, and a statement addressing the selection criteria.

Applications can be posted to PO Box 3072, 256 Adelaide Terrace, Perth WA 6000, faxed to (08) 9268 7049 or emailed to jobs@ymac.org.au

Closing date for the above positions is 4.00pm Friday 20th May 2011

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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