Country, Culture, People, Future

Indigenous Community Stories

Cautious easing of social restrictions in WA

Posted: April 28th, 2020

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Following continued low numbers of new cases of COVID-19 coronavirus in WA, from Monday 27 April 2020 some stage 3 restrictions have been relaxed. This cautious easing of restrictions will help families and friends to stay connected during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Indoor and outdoor non-work gatherings of up to 10 people are now allowed at:

  • weddings and funerals
  • outdoor personal training (no shared equipment)
  • home opens and display village inspections

If a single household has more than 10 people, that household remains exempt from this new rule. All public playgrounds, skate parks and outdoor gym equipment are to remain closed, along with other restrictions previously implemented to minimise the spread of COVID 19 in the community.

It is still very important that people follow the guidance on social distancing which includes keeping a distance of 1.5 meters from others, and minimising unnecessary contact.  WA remains in a State of Emergency and so various restrictions are still enforceable by fines.

For more information please see the media statement  and updates on the WA Government website 

Watch the highlights from the 2018 Yule River Meeting

Posted: August 14th, 2018

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The 5th Annual On-Country Bush Meeting at Yule River was another extraordinary gathering bringing together more than 400 Traditional Owners from across the Pilbara to discuss issues affecting them and their families. The meeting endorsed Pilbara Aboriginal Voice (PAV), the remarkable group borne out of the 4th meeting in 2017. PAV has made significant progress working together to address issues including language preservation, remote housing, the protection of Aboriginal heritage, Constitutional Recognition, health, education, justice, and the welfare of children.

This year, the 40-strong group welcomed more than 20 new members, and was officially endorsed and recognised by both Federal and State Aboriginal Affairs Ministers Ben Wyatt and Senator Nigel Scullion and others. PAV was acknowledged as an historic union of language groups working as one voice to call on all levels of government to improve living conditions for Aboriginal West Australians.

Today and every day, we recognise Aboriginal Elder, our Deputy Co-Chairperson, Mrs Doris Eaton, for her ongoing inspirational leadership, and great vision for the Pilbara, our Aboriginal Directors, and our dedicated YMAC staff, for their contributions to the Yule River meeting.

For more information about Yule River meetings and their history, please see https://lnkd.in/gEbB4J2

Big plans on track for Littlewell mob

Posted: September 22nd, 2017

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The Littlewell mob in Western Australia’s mid-west are on the trail of realising a dream.  Seven years after setting out to preserve the old Littlewell reserve where they and family members grew up, it is set to open as a heritage precinct and walking trail by the end of the year.

The Littlewell reserve sits on the outskirts of Mingenew, a town nearly 400km north of Perth and about 100km south-east of the coastal city of Geraldton. A 500m walking trail that incorporates the reserve’s history and the stories of those who lived there could open before Christmas.

Wattandee elder Thomas Cameron, who grew up at Littlewell, says the four hectare reserve — which operated from 1898 until 1972 — was originally named the Mingenew Aboriginal Reserve, but residents called it by another name.

“We called it Littlewell because prior to having two-bedroom houses built by Native Welfare at the time, we lived in humpies and the well supplied people who lived on the reserve at the time,” Mr Cameron, 63, said.

A great grandfather, Mr Cameron said the site was important to hundreds of people who had lived there and their descendants. He hoped tourists and other visitors would be interested in the reserve’s history. Guided tours may be held.  “I’m a great grandfather now and I’ve taken my grandson back there to country and told him this is the little well, this is where we grew up and where we learned to work and we learned to corroboree and all that,” Mr Cameron said. “It’s important to our children and their children to give them a better understanding and concept of how we lived and how life was back in the reserve days.”

To read the full article, please follow the link: Littlewell reserve heritage precinct

Thomas Cameron and the people featured in this article and in the photo members of the Southern Yamatji claim group.

Nyangumarta Rangers

Posted: August 25th, 2017

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NITV calls for emerging Indigenous film-makers to apply for Spirit Initiative 2017

Posted: August 11th, 2017

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NITV is calling for up and coming Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander film-makers to apply for the fifth annual Spirit Initiative. Formerly known as the Spirit Award, the Initiative includes a professional development opportunity with NITV in addition to the opportunity to make a short documentary as part of NITV’s Our Stories. The winner will be flown to Sydney for a three week work experience placement where they will be mentored and trained by NITV’s experienced staff from a range of departments. They will then be commissioned to produce a 15-minute Our Stories documentary in language and a news story from their local community.

Applicants are required to submit a three minute ‘sizzle reel’ – a snapshot showcase of their work – and a pitch for their 15 minute documentary.
Applications close Friday 1 September 2017, with the winner to be announced at the 19th National Remote Indigenous Media Festival in Irrunytju, Western Australia from 25-30 September 2017.

For more information and to apply online visit: nitv-spirit-initiative

 

Launch of Aboriginal History Booklet and Yamaji Drive Trail

Posted: August 20th, 2015

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Stan Gratte

Stan Gratte, author of The Aboriginal History of Geraldton (Jambinu) and Surrounding Areas

The City of Geraldton Regional Library recently released the final title in the Mid West Heritage series,
The Aboriginal History of Geraldton (Jambinu) and Surrounding Areas by Stan Gratte and Dale Forsyth. This series highlights Geraldton’s rich Aboriginal history.

The book was showcased on 19 August at the Launch@The Library along with the new Yamaji Drive Trail – a tourist guide, celebrating Yamatji history and culture in the Greater Geraldton area.

The author paints an overview of life for Aboriginal people living in the Geraldton area before and after the region was settled by Europeans.

This publication is now available for $9.95 from the City of Geraldton Regional Library and can also be purchased from the Geraldton Visitors Centre and WA Museum.

2015 Amnesty International Media Awards now open

Posted: July 24th, 2015

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Launch of Amnesty's Indigenous Youth Incarceration campaign.  Photo: (c)AIA/ IngetjeTadros

Amnesty’s Indigenous Youth Incarceration Campaign
Photo: (c)AIA/ IngetjeTadros

These awards include the Indigenous Reporting category, recognising excellence in media coverage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander human rights issues.

This year’s Amnesty International Australia Media Awards are now open and journalists are encouraged to enter their human rights stories of the last year.

To enter these awards visit here before the closing date of Friday 14 August 2015.

Bundiyarra stories on film

Posted: May 2nd, 2014

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The Bundiyarra people’s story of working towards recognition, the issues and obstacles that they faced was captured on film as part of the Indigenous Community Stories project.

Since the completion of the film a VIP roof top screening was held in Perth for the Bundiyarra founding members and the community to view their story on the big screen.

NITV will show the film soon and it will be available online for viewing later in the year. To hear more about the experiences of the Bundiyarra people in making the film and the VIP roof top screening click here. To learn more about the Indigenous Community Stories project visit the FTI WA website.

Opportunity to tell your stories

Posted: August 16th, 2013

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The Film & Television Institute (FTI) in partnership with ScreenWest, Rio Tinto, Leighton and Ngarda Civil & Mining is calling for applications from Indigenous communities, families and individuals who are interested in recording, preserving and archiving the stories, accomplishments and reflections of their community members.

Indigenous Community Stories is an initiative, which is aiming to film 100 Western Australian Indigenous stories and digitally archive them for future generations to view over the next 100 years and beyond. FTI is keen to hear from community coordinators or representatives who want to have their community’s stories recorded.

To find out more and to get your application, visit the FTI website. Applications are due on 6 September.

Toby Smirke filmed by FTI on Jurruru country

Toby Smirke filmed by FTI on Jurruru country

 

Earlier this year, YMAC participated in this initiative in three different communities. Check out some of the photos here, or read more below:

 Pilbara Traditional Owners record stories for future generations

Yamatji stories preserved for future generations

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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