Country, Culture, People, Future

March 2019

YMAC News Issue 37

Posted: March 26th, 2019

The latest issue of YMAC News is available online, to download your copy click here.

YMAC News Issue 37 Mail Chimp Cover

Review of the Aboriginal Heritage Act

Posted: March 19th, 2019

On 7 March Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ben Wyatt launched a discussion paper addressing long overdue changes to the State’s Aboriginal Heritage Act (1972).

YMAC has long advocated for an overhaul of the Act, and it’s great to see that not just an overhaul, but a repealing of the existing Act and new Aboriginal heritage legislation is being proposed.

Aboriginal heritage sites across the State not only hold deep cultural significance for Aboriginal people, they are iconic and in many cases internationally recognised.

YMAC believes it is particularly important that we see change with respect to ensuring Aboriginal people have a strong say in an appeal process on decisions affecting their heritage and land.

Community consultation starts this week

A number of information sessions are planned to be held all over the State, including:

  • THIS Thursday 22 March in Geraldton
  • 26 March in Esperance
  • 28 March in Carnarvon
  • 10 April in Tom Price
  • 11 April in Roebourne
  • 12 April in South Hedland

YMAC encourages Traditional Owners to get involved and attend these sessions.  For timing and location details, as well as other locations throughout the State, click here.

The discussion paper and details on how to get involved in the review can be found at http://www.dplh.wa.gov.au

 

 

 

National Close the Gap Day – 21 March 2019

Posted: March 14th, 2019

The Close the Gap campaign is about improving health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It is a highly regarded movement for Indigenous Health Equality that has shaped government policy. It is led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and supported by mainstream health and advocacy organisations from around the country.

Why is closing the gap so important?

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples can expect to live at least 10 years fewer than other Australians. Babies born to Aboriginal mothers die at more than twice the rate of other Australian babies, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experience higher rates of preventable illnesses such as heart disease, kidney disease and diabetes. The mortality rates for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is on par with some of the world’s most impoverished nations.

“Be part of the generation that closes this gap forever”.

To sign the Petition to Close the Gap click here.

To find out more about the campaign and how you or your organisation can get involved click here.

YMAC welcomes WA Government’s planned expansion of the Conservation Estate

Posted: March 14th, 2019

 

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Photo: Malgana Country.  Photo by Jose Kalpers from YMAC, with the permission of the Traditional Owners.

Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation (YMAC) has welcomed plans by the WA Government to expand the State’s conservation estate, creating five million hectares of new parks and reserves over the next five years.

The expansion will go hand-in-hand with the principle of jointly managing, and in some cases jointly vesting, these new reserves with Traditional Owners, which means valuable training and employment opportunities.

YMAC is proud to already be assisting such ranger groups, through the Nyangumarta and Malgana land and sea management programs.

YMAC looks forward to assisting with the consultation process associated with Government’s ‘Plan for Our Parks’ and will strongly encourage Traditional Owners to get involved.

To download YMAC’s media statement click here.

To view the Plan visit: pws.dbca.wa.gov.au/planforourparks.

Premier McGowan’s media statement.

 

MEDIA RELEASE: Palyku people celebrate native title win

Posted: March 13th, 2019

Palyku Determination Applicant Image 1

The Federal Court’s Justice Reeves with Palyku Applicants at the Native Title determination, Wild Dog Creek, Newman WA.

It was a long time coming to achieving native title recognition for the Palyku people and yesterday was an emotional occasion for many as the Federal Court formally recognised the Applicants as native title holders over a determination area of 9,308 square kilometres.

The on-Country court hearing was held at Wild Dog Creek – approximately 155 kilometres north of Newman, WA. About 100 people attended the hearing, including representatives from the Federal Court, State and Federal governments, and Traditional Owners.

Traditional Owner David Milroy said, “This Determination means a lot to the Palyku people. It’s been a long journey to get to here. This native title recognition is a historic event, and we acknowledge and celebrate this important milestone.”

To view the full media release click here.

Indigenous Governance Awards (2018)

Posted: March 5th, 2019

More than 200 guests attended the 2018 Indigenous Governance Awards (IGA) at the Crown, Melbourne in November last year.  YMAC is honoured to have been acknowledged as a finalist at the awards ceremony.

The awards highlighted the fact that Aboriginal people have managed this land for a long period of time, and Elders have continued to pass on their knowledge, traditions and customs to future generations. Australia is a richer place because of this strong connection to culture.

IGA has recently released the finalist videos, to view YMAC’s video in the Category A section (Outstanding examples of Indigenous governance in Indigenous incorporated organisations) please click below.

Indigenous Governance Awards in Melbourne.

YMAC’s Board of Director’s at the Indigenous Governance Awards in Melbourne.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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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