Country, Culture, People, Future

Our Structure

Community Members

Membership is open to all adult Yamatji and Marlpa people, including people who live in other areas but who have a traditional connection to country. You don’t have to be a member to use our services but members are entitled to vote at general meetings. To register or update your details, please contact your local office or download a YMAC Membership Form.

Claims and Working Groups

Each native title claim represented by Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation (YMAC) has an elected representative body called a working group.

A working group is composed of Aboriginal people with the cultural knowledge, understanding and recognised status to have authority in matters affecting country. They are not groups of elders, but commonly consist of a dynamic mix of young people and elders as well as both men and women. Sometimes a working group will also need to consult with the broader community before the right decision can be reached.

Our working groups are a powerful voice for traditional owners to participate in decisions that affect their country and communities. They have proven their success through achievements in native title negotiations; they have also gained the trust and backing of Aboriginal communities who acknowledge their genuine representation.

Badimia Community meeting, May 2015

Badimia Community meeting, May 2015

Wajarri Yamatji Community Meeting, May 2015

Wajarri Yamatji Community Meeting, May 2015

 

The Board and Regional Committees

Because of the diversity of Yamatji and Marlpa culture, each region elects a Regional Committee to provide policy direction on matters that are specific to either Yamatji or Marlpa country. Six members from each regional committee are elected to create YMAC’s Board of Directors.

The Board of Directors oversee YMAC’s strategic direction and create policies that govern the organisation. The Board is also accountable to our members.

Joint Regional Committee, Exmouth 2018

Joint Regional Committee, Exmouth 2018

 

Staff

Strategy and policy are implemented through the day-to-day work of staff under the management of the CEO. YMAC employs over 100 professionals from a diverse range of disciplines including law, anthropology, archaeology, community liaison, corporate service and administration.

 

staff-flowchart

YMAC Chairpersons

YMAC Executive Management Team

To view our Organisational Chart, click here.

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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