Country, Culture, People, Future

February 2016

Nyangumarta Warrarn CEO speaks to SBS Radio to discuss ranger funding

Posted: February 23rd, 2016

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Nyaparu Rose in the Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation offices, February 2016

Nyangumarta Warrarn CEO, Nyaparu Rose

CEO of the Nyangumarta Warrarn Aboriginal Corporation Nyaparu Rose recently spoke with SBS’s Living Black program about Indigenous Protected Areas and Ranger programs, which she sees as essential to both young people and elders of her community.

The Nyangumarta people also use these programs to work with scientists and other professionals to protect delicate ecosystems by cataloguing and documenting the land and practices.

Nyaparu Rose said her heritage is not being witnessed up close by the Commonwealth, and it’s a problem which could lead to future cuts or no expansion.

“It’s difficult at times because we don’t have enough visits from the federal government to these remote areas to spend time and look at what the ranger groups are doing to benefit, protect and care for their Country.”

You can listen to the full interview here.

2016 National NAIDOC Poster Competition open for submissions

Posted: February 12th, 2016

The Australian Government is now accepting applications for its annual poster competition to celebrate NAIDOC Week.

The 2016 National NAIDOC Poster Competition is open to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists aged 13 and older, and a cash prize of $5000 will go to the winner.

The artwork must reflect this year’s theme of “The Living Narrative of Our Nation”.

Entry forms can be downloaded via the Commonwealth’s website here, and can be posted digitally or by mail. Applications may also be submitted using the online form on the website.

The deadline for submissions is Monday 21 March, 2016 at 5:00PM AEST.

*Warning – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are warned that the Commonwealth’s NAIDOC web site may contain images of deceased people.

Red Dust in Her Veins: Women of the Pilbara now available in ebook

Posted: February 8th, 2016

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The E-book version of Lisa Holland-McNair’s, Melva Stone’s and Erica Smith’s Red Dust in Her Veins: Women of the Pilbara is now available through Amazon, iTunes and Kobo.

The 2007 work details the stories of 12 women and their lives in the Pilbara, and feature 25 full colour pages of pictures, maps and historical information to “show the Pilbara at its remote and ruggedly best.”

The book, dedicated to women of the Pilbara past, present and future, is donating all proceeds to the Flying Doctor Service.

In the foreword, Ms Stone writes that her work offers a glimpse into the multitude of ways the land and Country shapes the lives of its inhabitants, and becomes core to their identity.

“[This book] provides a window into the lives of four indigenous women who were born and have lived most of their lives there, and eight non-Indigenous women travelled to the region for work or with their families,” writes Stone.

“All of these women offer an insight into how they have found ways to meet the challenges of coping with change, with isolation from family, friends and technology, with health scares, while managing their relationships and working in new jobs.

“Their stories are invaluable for anyone contemplating ‘going bush’ to discover who they are and what’s important to them.”

One of the women featured in Stone’s work is Patricia Fry, an Aboriginal woman hailing from the Gibson Desert in the Pilbara’s far east. She writes in her story that nothing can replace the fondness she has for home.

“When I think of the land, I think of the red, red ochre…my last long trip up there was right out to my mother’s country, on Lake Percival – we called it Winpa,” writes Ms Fry.

“I knew as soon as I felt that wind on my face that I was home, I knew it was my father’s, my uncle’s, my mother’s country – I couldn’t get there quick enough, and when I arrived I just sat down and cried.

“I never wanted to leave.”

Hard copies of the book can be found at Elizabeth’s Bookstore or at the above Amazon link.

 

Applications open for third round of NSRF funding

Posted: February 1st, 2016

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Round three of the National Stronger Regions Fund (NSRF) opened for applications on Friday 15 January 2016.

Not-for-profit organisations are encouraged to apply for amounts ranging from $20,000 to $10 million to fund infrastructure projects and invigorate growth in the Mid West.

For this third round of funding, applicants classified as “remote” and “very remote” will only contribute one dollar for every three NSRF dollars.

Federal Member for Durack Melissa Price said applicants will receive the best outcome if they focus on three major points:

  • Demonstrating the economic benefit of the project beyond the period of construction;
  • Identification of the region’s comparative disadvantages; and
  • Ensuring the leveraged funds are confirmed

The window for posting applications to the NSRF will close on Tuesday 15 March 2016, and potential applicants are being urged to submit their applications early to avoid lodging errors which may be encountered as the deadline draws closer.

The program began in 2015 and provides more than $1 billion to fund regional infrastructure across regional Australia.

 

See the statement by Ms Price here, and research NSRF applications 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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