Country, Culture, People, Future

Nyiyaparli

Natalie Parker, YMAC Director and Co-chair Pilbara, invites Prime Minister to Yule River

Posted: July 5th, 2018

Filed under: , , , , ,

Natalie Parker, YMAC Director and Co-chair Pilbara, was interviewed by the Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association (CAAMA) today. She spoke about the community’s concerns for the future of remote housing in WA; due to the lack of a funding agreement between the State and Federal governments. Mrs Parker invited the Premier and Prime Minister to the Yule River bush meeting to address the community’s concerns.

Listen to the interview here: Natalie Parker CAAMA Radio Interview

About CAAMA Radio

CAAMA began operations in 1980 and was the first Aboriginal organisation to be allocated a broadcasting license. CAAMA serves the Aboriginal people of Central Australia through a network of 11 regional radio stations in the Northern Territory. Its  focus is on the social, cultural and economic advancement of Aboriginal peoples. CAAMA promotes and shares Aboriginal culture, language, dance, and music while generating economic and social benefits in the form of training, employment and income generation.

Dont’ Walk Away – Remote communities call on State and Feds to step up at Yule River

Posted: July 2nd, 2018

Filed under: , , , , , , , ,

MEDIA STATEMENT: Monday, 2 July 2018

Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation (YMAC) Co-chairperson, and Nyiyaparli (central Pilbara region) woman, Natalie Parker, has called on the Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, to attend the 5th Annual Yule River On-Country Bush Meeting next week.

Last week, YMAC asked the State Government to release details of its plans to manage funding of remote Aboriginal communities into the future, with its 50-year funding agreement with the Federal Government expiring on Saturday (30 June).

The State Government responded on Friday by launching an eleventh hour national public campaign to pressure the Federal Government to “not abandon 165 remote communities in Western Australia”.

The State Government said its ‘Don’t Walk Away’ campaign would feature online and print media advertising, and promote a website with a call to action for people concerned about the plight of the almost 12,000 people living in remote communities across WA.

“Both the State and the Federal Government need to step up at Yule River on 11 and 12 July and let people from remote Aboriginal communities know what is happening,” Ms Parker said.

“Aboriginal people across WA, including in my community at Youngaleena, are looking over their shoulders, and face the trauma of being forced off their Country again.

“It is 2018, and all Australians, and people around the world know, that forcing Aboriginal people off their Country causes irreparable long-term trauma, social issues, degradation of land and culture, and is totally unacceptable.”

YMAC Chief Executive Simon Hawkins said both governments should demonstrate respect for the health, wellbeing and safety of all Aboriginal people living remotely in WA, by bringing a sustainable plan to fund remote communities to Yule River.

“YMAC understands the deep cultural and spiritual value that living on Country holds for many Traditional Owners; allowing them to practice traditional Law and customs as recognised under their native title determinations,” Mr Hawkins said.

The full media release can also be found here: Don’t Walk Away – Step Up

Media Contact: Jane Grljusich, Communications Manager, 0427 463 796, jgrljusich@ymac.org.au

Certificate III in Aboriginal Languages now offered

Posted: April 29th, 2016

Filed under: , , , , , ,

wanagkamaya_certIII

A Certificate III in Aboriginal Languages is now being offered by South Hedland-based language centre Wangka Maya. The course is designed to help maintain the languages spoken by Traditional Owners across Australia.

The nationally accredited certificate is a week-long intensive course, and the first students represented seven different language groups from the Pilbara including Kariyarra, Yinhawangka, Banjima and Nyiyaparli.

The units aim to teach students about the history, vitality and distribution of Aboriginal languages. Courses include identifying language needs in the community and workplace, raising awareness about Aboriginal languages and producing sounds in Aboriginal languages.

For more information about the program, you can visit the Wangka Maya website here, and for specifics about the course you can visit the Resource Network for Linguistic Diversity.

Congratulations to Miss NAIDOC winner Ashlea Walley

Posted: June 5th, 2014

Filed under: , , ,

On Saturday 24th May Noongar/Yamatji woman Ashlea Walley was announced as 2014 Miss NAIDOC Perth at the final ceremony held in the Perth Concert Hall.

Ashlea joined nine other finalists from across the state including Yamatji woman Jaimee Coster and Noongar/Nyiyaparli woman Amy Groves in celebrating the completion of the Miss NAIDOC leadership and empowerment program.

YMAC would like to congratulate Ashlea and all the Miss NAIDOC finalist on their achievement.

Download YMAC News issue 20

Posted: February 20th, 2013

Filed under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The latest issue of YMAC News is now available for download.

It is full of stories about some of the accomplishments in our regions over the last few months. Agreements have been made between the Ngarlawangga people and Montezuma Mining Company Ltd, and the Kurama and Marthudunera people and Iron Ore Holdings Ltd, that are both notable for different reasons.

You can read about the Geraldton native title groups coming together to work towards an Alternative Settlement, and a meeting between Pilbara indigenous women and African women in mining.

We have several new members of our Yamatji Regional Committee and the Board of Directors, and we profile one of them, Beverley Ladyman.

The Badimia people won a battle in the National Native Title Tribunal to help protect one of their most sacred sites, and the Nyiyaparli people have discovered a site that was occupied 41,000 year ago while out on a heritage survey for a mining company.

We also answer one of our most frequently asked question, ‘Why does native title take so long?’

Click here to dowload YMAC News issue 20.

If you have any stories or photos you’d like to share with us, elders who you think we should profile, questions about native title, or any other letters to the editor, send them to editor@ymac.org.au.

We hope you enjoy this issue of YMAC News.

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

Posted: December 12th, 2012

Filed under: , , , , , , ,



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.

YMAC News issue 19 is here!

Posted: November 14th, 2012

Filed under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The latest issue of YMAC News is now available for download from our website.

It includes a cover story on the visit the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples made to Njamal country, a special feature on Geraldton Aboriginal community organisations, and a landmark agreement between the Nyiyaparli people and BHP Billiton.

There is also a profile of Yamatji artist, poet and academic Charmaine Green, as well as a staff profile of Fiona Mackenzie, our Geraldton office manager. There is important information on YMAC’s heritage services, information about YMAC’s recent audit by the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC), and of course lots of photos of people and country.

Click here to download YMAC News from our website.

If you have any stories or photos you’d like to share with us, elders who you think we should profile, questions about native title, or any other letters to the editor, send them to editor@ymac.org.au.

We hope you enjoy this issue of YMAC News.

Nyiyaparli people sign major iron ore mining agreement

Posted: August 20th, 2012

Filed under: , , , , ,

The Nyiyaparli people of the Pilbara region of WA have announced that they have entered into a major mining agreement with BHP Billiton Iron Ore (BHPBIO). The agreement covers all of BHPBIO’s iron ore operations within the Nyiyaparli people’s native title claim and offers substantial heritage protection, financial benefits, and non-financial benefits to the Nyiyaparli people.

Click here to download the full media release from our website.

YMAC congratulates the Nyiyaparli people on the successful negotiations.

Check out issue 14 of YMAC News

Posted: June 24th, 2011

Filed under: , , , , , , , , ,

The latest issue of YMAC News is out today, filled with information about the great work being done by traditional owners and YMAC staff. Issue14 of our newsletter focuses on the land access deals struck between four native title groups and Rio Tinto Iron Ore, with sections on each group and what the agreements will mean for them.

There are stories about  our co-chair of the Board talking about carbon farming in Canberra, the realease of YMAC’s community guide, the substantial role played by YMAC at the annual National Native Title Conference, as well as profiles of some of our board members.

We hope you enjoy the 14th issue of YMAC News.
Click the link below for an electronic version or email srosenfeld@ymac.org.au to request hard copies for yourself, your family, your business or workplace.

YMAC News issue 14

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.

This will close in 15 seconds