Country, Culture, People, Future

2012

YMAC Christmas Shutdown and Heritage Surveys

Posted: December 20th, 2012

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For many Aboriginal Communities in the Midwest and Pilbara, December to January is a special time of year to observe cultural obligations and practices.
Out of respect for these traditions, YMAC will not be conducting any heritage surveys between Monday 17 December 2012 and Friday 1 February 2013.
Any heritage survey requests received after 17 December will be scheduled to commence after 1 February.
Thank you for your understanding.
All YMAC offices in Perth, Geraldton, Karratha, South Hedland and Tom Price will be closed during the festive season from Thursday 20th December 2012, re-opening on Wednesday 2 January 2013.
YMAC’s Board of Directors, Pilbara and Yamatji Regional Committees, Management and Staff would like to wish you a happy and safe festive season.

Ngarlawangga People and Montezuma Sign Agreement South of Newman

Posted: December 20th, 2012

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The Ngarlawangga native title group today announced the signing of an agreement with Montezuma Mining Company Ltd (Montezuma) for the Butcherbird manganese project over 23,000 hectares of their traditional country, south of Newman, as well as consents to future mining in the area.

The agreement has seen Traditional Owners and Montezuma develop a framework for how they will continue working with each other, including assisting Ngarlawangga people into employment, agreed processes and timeframes by which heritage clearances will take place and support for tendering for new contracts for community businesses.

The signing includes an agreed process should the mining company apply for permission to disturb heritage sites, which provides both parties with a guaranteed consultation process under the Aboriginal Heritage Act (WA).

Ngarlawangga Traditional Owner Dianne Limerick said, “The discussions with Montezuma went well – we’re now hoping for jobs and business contracts to develop from this agreement.”
Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation (YMAC) CEO Simon Hawkins said, “Montezuma listened and responded to the community’s needs throughout the process. In turn, the Ngarlawangga people were able to reach agreement quickly, giving the company certainty. Both parties are particularly focused on supporting new and existing Ngarlawangga contracting companies to benefit from this project, including incentives for community businesses”.
Click here to read the full media release.

41,000 year-old Pilbara Aboriginal Site to be Protected

Posted: December 12th, 2012

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Photo Courtesy of Fortescue Metals Group
Nyiyaparli Traditional Owners from the Pilbara region of Western Australia, today announced the oldest occupation dates ever found in the region. Working with archaeologists from the heritage company Archae-aus, the Nyiyaparli Heritage Sub-Committee and Karlka Nyiyaparli Aboriginal Corporation have revealed that charcoals found while excavating a rock shelter are more than 41,000 years old, according to carbon-dating analysis.
Nyiyaparli elder and Heritage Sub-Committee member David Stock said, “We feel proud that this evidence of our ancestors has been found and are happy it will be protected. This kind of work shows Australians that our heritage is very important and that it can be protected”.
Nyiyaparli elder and Heritage Sub-Committee member Gordon Yuline said “We have to keep the caves to show the young people how the old people used to live. It is very important we protect these places and we are able to go there and teach the young ones.”
The shelter site would be protected by a buffer zone and that Nyiyaparli Traditional Owners have requested further research be carried out at the important site.

Click here to read the full media release.

New Opportunities for Indigenous Students to Become Lawyers

Posted: December 5th, 2012

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The University of Western Australia is now offering a one-year course to mature age Aboriginal students which will provide them with direct entry into a new post-graduate law degree at UWA.

Starting in 2013, the Advanced Diploma in Indigenous Legal Studies has been devised by UWA’s School of Indigenous Studies and the Faculty of Law to ensure that Indigenous people have equality of opportunity to succeed in mainstream law and engage with the legal isssues affecting Aboriginal people.

The Diploma provides students with both the theoretical and practical training needed to pursue a legal career in Australia, with the chance to obtain scholarships and financial assistance from some of Western Australia’s most prestigious law firms and government departments.

For eligibility and requirements, please visit the UWA website, or contact Mel Thomas at mel.thomas@uwa.edu.au for further information.

2013 Mullewa Community Trust Grants Program

Posted: November 30th, 2012

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Applications are now open for the 2013 Mullewa Community Trust Grants program.

Each year, the Mullewa district receives funding from Mount Gibson Mining Ltd which assists community development initiatives.

In conjunction with the City of Greater Geraldton, the program allocates funds to groups who can demonstrate how their activites would benefit the community.

To be eligible, projects proposed by community groups should be in the areas of youth leadership development, arts and cultural activities, sports and recreation, community welfare or tourism.

Community groups are also encouraged to submit joint grant applications.

Application forms can be obtained from the Mullewa district office, or downloaded from the City of Greater Geraldton website.

Applications close 28 December 2012.

Information session for Indigenous suppliers

Posted: November 26th, 2012

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The Australian Indigenous Minority Supplier Council (AIMSC) is a business-to-business membership body dedicated to growing diversity within the supply chain. AIMSC’s goal is to connect Australian corporate and government organisations with Indigenous business suppliers and ensure that small to medium Indigenous businesses have the opportunity to be integrated into the supply chains of Australian companies and Government agencies.

To promote its new office and physical presence in WA, AIMSC has organised a roadshow up the West Coast, visiting Perth, Port Hedland and Broome.

The Road Show will cover:
• Real Opportunities in WA forum
• Express Certification for Indigenous businesses who are Sole Traders/Sole Shareholders-Directors
• An overview and information session on the up coming changes to the Indigenous Opportunities Policy (IOP)

For more information visit www.aimsc.org.au/events

Badimaya Book Launch

Posted: November 21st, 2012

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This will be a great event in Mount Magnet by the Bundiyarra Irra Wangga Language Program celebrating the books of Joe Benjamin, Badimia culture and language.

Native title agreement recognises the importance of water

Posted: November 20th, 2012

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Kurama and Marthudunera Traditional Owners Bernadette Evans, Roy Evans, Joan Evans and Cyril Lockyer with YMAC staff and IOH representatives

The Kurama and Marthudunera (K&M) native title group today announced the signing of an agreement with Iron Ore Holdings Ltd (IOH) over their Buckland Project in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.

It is the Pilbara’s first native title agreement to provide payments in respect of the use of water and clearance of native vegetation, giving an incentive for IOH to minimise their impact on the environment. IOH also showed flexibility in planning their mine footprint in order to avoid any impact on culturally sensitive sites near the area.

In addition to strong cultural and environmental protection, the agreement provides milestone and production payments, which are now standard features of native title land access agreements.

Kurama and Marthudunera Traditional Owner, Cyril Lockyer said, “The important thing now is to continue our good working relationship. This area is of great significance to the families involved and we want to work closely with Iron Ore Holdings to see these sensitive places protected.”

“This unique agreement is due to the genuine good-will and flexibility shown by both parties, and recognises the cultural and environmental significance of the area for the Traditional Owners. It goes well beyond the requirements of the WA Aboriginal Heritage Act by recognising that water and habitat are inextricably linked to cultural values,” said Simon Hawkins, CEO of Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation.

Congratulations to all players in this year’s Wadjemup Cup!

Posted: November 15th, 2012

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On Saturday 10th November, students from Clontarf Football Academies from across the State competed in a round robin AFL football competition held on the Sports Oval Rottnest Island. The students were selected to participate in the Wadjemup Cup based on their school attendance, commitment to their studies and upholding the values and behaviours of their respective academies.

The carnival saw involving approximately 120 students aged 12 to 15 years, competing as 5 teams from around the state:

  • Superstars (Northam, Yule Brook and Coodanup),
  • Titans (Carnarvon & Midwest),
  • Allies (Katanning, South West & Great Southern),
  • Stingrays (Roebourne, Karratha & South East)
  • Swans (Clontarf, Goldfiekds and Gilmore)  

For more information on this and Clontarf’s many other programs, visit www.clontarf.org.au

 

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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