Download YMAC News Issue 21

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

It features a cover story about YMAC's work with Yamatji and Pilbara Traditional Owners to digitally record their stories on film for the Indigenous Community Stories initiative. There is news about mining agreements made between the Yugunga-Nya people and Ventnor Resources; the Yinhawangka people, Rio Tinto and Dragon Energy; as well as Badimia and Top Iron.

You can also read about the proposed Nyangumarta Warrarn Indigenous Project Area (IPA) and the collection of the Nyangumarta people's knowledge and stories, facts on Preservation evidence, and the management of traditional country.

There is also information on YMAC's Community Liaison Officers, YMAC Directors, and new Co-Chair of the Board, Mr Victor Mourambine.

Click here to download YMAC News Issue 21 from our website, or browse earlier issues here.

We hope you enjoy this issue of YMAC news.

Yinhawangka People Sign Native Title Agreement with Rio Tinto

Yinhawangka Country

The Yinhawangka People of the Pilbara region of Western Australia have announced a major agreement with Rio Tinto.

The Yinhawangka People are the native title claimants and traditional custodians of approximately one million hectares of land and waters in the central Pilbara, including the mining town of Paraburdoo. The agreement covers Rio Tinto’s existing, current and future iron ore mining operations within Yinhawangka country and, importantly, establishes protocols for the protection of homeland communities and areas of special significance. This includes the exclusion of an area of outstanding cultural significance to the Yinhawangka People.

It provides a range of economic and non-economic benefits for the Yinhawangka People, including significant financial benefits from mining on their traditional country; special treatment of areas of high cultural significance; employment and training opportunities; support for Pilbara Aboriginal business development and contracting; and a collaborative approach to environmental and cultural heritage management.

Yinhawangka Traditional Owner, Darren Injie, said it had taken over twenty years of hard work for the Yinhawangka People to establish their homeland communities and reach today’s milestone.

“I want to acknowledge a lot of important people whose leadership contributed to this agreement, and who are no longer with us today. This wasn’t the work of one or two people, it’s been a community effort.  I also thank Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation; we would not have an agreement with this kind of scope and integrity without their ongoing support.”   

Click here to read the full media release.

YMAC contributes to Indigenous Community Stories

YMAC recently applied, and has been selected, the ‘Indigenous Community Story’ initiative through the Film & Television Institute (FTI) in partnership with Rio Tinto, ScreenWest, Leighton and Ngarda Civil & Mining.

The two Indigenous Community Story Projects that have been successfully selected include, ‘A snapshot of the rich cultural heritage of the Pilbara region told by four senior elders’ and ‘The historical significance of Aboriginal stockman and their connection to country; told through the eyes and life of respected senior Jurruru elder, Toby Smirke.’

The two stories will be filmed on country in early 2013 and aim to digitally archive stories for future generations to view over the next 100 years and beyond. Click here for more information on the Indigenous Community Stories project.

Indigenous Stories Wanted for WA Filmaking Initiative

Do you have a story about your community or country that you would like to be remembered in 100 years?

Indigenous Community Stories is a new initiative aiming to capture one hundred West Australian Indigenous stories on film and digitally archive them so that they can be accessed by future generations for years to come.

There is currently a pressing need to record the culture of Indigenous communities across Western Australia, particularly the stories and reflections of senior community members. This project will create invaluable records of Australian cultural heritage and identity while encouraging Indigenous filmmaking in WA.

The Film and Television Institute (FTI), in partnership with Rio Tinto, ScreenWest, Leighton and Ngarda Civil and Mining, is calling for applications from Indigenous communities who are interested in recording and preserving their stories.

The story should focus on community and country. Successful communities will need to nominate a Community Liaison Officer to work on the project and will receive some funds to cover costs of the project.

For more information on Eligibility and Assessment Criteria, click here.

To apply for Indigenous Community Stories, download and complete the application form here, and return to FTI marked to the attention of Mandy Corunna, via:

- Email: mandy_corunna@staff.fti.asn.au
- Fax: (08) 9335 1283
- Post: PO Box 579, Fremantle, WA, 6959.

Applications close:
- 5:00pm Thursday 19 July 2012 for the July Selection Panel, and
- 5:00pm Friday 14 September 2012 for the September Selection Panel.

For queries or more information, contact Mandy Corunna at FTI on (08) 9431 6713 or mandy_corunna@staff.fti.asn.au

Want to work as part of the Indigenous Community Stories Film Crew?

Suitably qualified filmmakers are also wanted to record Indigenous Community Stories. If this sounds like something that may interest you, complete the expression of interest form here and return it to mandy_corunna@fti.asn.au by 19 July 2012.

Community Grants available through resource companies

Applications are now open for community grants from BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto's Dampier Salt.

BHP Billiton's Community Grants Program provides financial assistance for initiatives that enhance community life in the areas of Indigenous wellbeing, environment, twonship amenity, quality education, health and wellbeing and community involvement.

Applications for BHP's Community Grants Program close on 1 May. For more information email waironorecommunity@bhpbilliton.com or call 9173 6680 (Port Hedland), 9175 3505 (Newman) or 6224 4243 (Perth)

Rio Tinto's Dampier Salt is offering financial assistance to short-term community projects in the Carnarvon, Dampier, Karratha and Port Hedland areas that are unique, innovative, address community and education issues, or require infrastructure.

Applications for Dampier Salt's Community Grants Scheme close on 29 June. For more information visit the Dampier Salt website, or call 9270 9252

Check out issue 14 of YMAC News

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

YMAC makes national and international news headlines!

 

Gordon Yuline, Nyiyaparli elder, signs agreement

YMAC, and Pilbara traditional owners, have received unprecedented media coverage in state, national and international media regarding the recent signing of historical agreements with Rio Tinto.

The news hit the headlines on Friday, 3 June, continued over the weekend and into the week of 6 June. The story, and YMAC's CEO, Simon Hawkins, featured in the following major media outlets;

Television: BBC International News, ABC 7pm news, ABC 24 6pm news, GWN and WIN 6pm news

Newspapers: Front page of the West Australia and Australian newspapers, also featured in Australian Financial Review, The Age, Canberra Times, Sydney Morning Herald, plus 12 other national regional papers. Will also appear in WA regional and Indigenous newspapers the week of 6 June.

Radio: BBC radio, ABC national and regional radio, SBS radio, Sky Business, 6PR, 96FM, 94.5FM, and national radio across Australia.

Keep and eye out for more great news stories coming up for YMAC, and the traditional owners we represent, in 2011!