Newsletter of the Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation April 2019 Bamangka Kaban

“People’s Paper” We’re here! Coronavirus has changed things “a fair bit” for Jabalbina’s operations, CEO Kupa Teao says. Our “As an organisation we’ve had to adapt,” he said. “And more often than not in some fairly innovative ways to the changes as the amazing Government has slowly clamped down.” Bubu!

ABOVE: In the days before social distancing some of our TONC members, staff and stakeholders took an opportunity to test our video-linking technology He said all the staff, various stakeholders and some members, particularly the Traditional Owners Negotiation Committee (TONC), had learned to use technology in ways they couldn’t have imagined only weeks or months ago. “We’ve been able to go ahead with most of our meetings, thanks to the internet and the big screen in our meeting room,” he said. “I take my hat off to our Native Title Tenure Resolutions Manager Conrad

Pic: Steven Nowakowski Yeatman for the way he’s handled our Rainforest 4 founder Kelvin Davies with Traditional Owners meetings with Elders and the TONC Andrew John Solomon, Clive & Betty Sykes and Dennis meetings in particular.” He said as things slowly returned to Solomon inspecting a block with a view to adding it to normal he hoped to start bringing more another recently block on Buchannan Creek Road recently staff back into work, even if only on a bought by Jabalbina – full story on page 6! rotational basis. A word from CEO Kupa Teao...

Ranger Kalum

Things have changed a fair bit since our last newsletter in December, CEO Kupa Teao writes… December was quite a productive The board met again late in April – Negotiation Committee (TONC) month leading up to Christmas and online, of course – and we intend to meetings in particular. New Year, and we had a fantastic keep meeting on a monthly basis as We’ve submitted quite a few grant staff celebration up at PK’s, near the current situation progresses. applications over the past month, so Cape Tribulation. I’ve been keeping the board up to hopefully we’ll see those through. After we celebrated, we went speed with how we are dealing with Lastly, but by no means least, big down to the sea and sat around a it all and we are, as a result, looking congratulations to the following fire until the early hours – it was at some modifications to our health staff for their new on-the-job quite beautiful. and safety plan where we can be a qualifications: Who would have known back then bit more comprehensive about what • Nigel Minniecon (Marine what 2020 would bring for us? to do and how to do things in the Radio Licence) The Coronavirus has put a halt on event – heaven forbid – of another • Charlie Ross-Kelly a lot of our operations. pandemic in our lifetimes. (Compliance Training – Nature As an organisation we’ve had to By mid-May I hope to be able to Conservation Act) adapt – and more often than not in have up to five people at work in • Vincent Tayley (Compliance some fairly innovative ways – to the office here, adhering to all the Training – Nature the changes, as the Government has proper social distancing rules, of Conservation Act + Cert IV slowly clamped down. course, but on rotation so everyone Government – GBRMPA Over the past week or two I’ve will have that opportunity. Compliance Accreditation) had rangers come and do some In the meantime we’ve been able to For various reasons we won’t maintenance work around the go ahead with most of our meetings, have much from the rangers in this office, we’ve been meeting online thanks to the internet and the big issue of our newsletter but as we all with staff and other stakeholders. screen in our meeting room. slowly get back to normal we’ll have Our AGM was last year but we I take my hat off to our Native a full report for you in our next had a board meeting before the Title Tenure Resolutions Manager issue. shut-downs in January where Lyn Conrad Yeatman for the way Take care everyone, and stay well! Johnson was elected to the chair, he’s handled our meetings with with Michelle Friday as her deputy. Elders and the Traditional Owners Kupa 2 Chair – Lyn Johnson Deputy Chair – Michelle Friday Directors: Colin Doughboy; On the board... Desmond Tayley; Cliff Harrigan & Maryanne Port My Mum was , she was born here, newly elected Jabalbina chair Lyn Johnson writes… I grew up all on the EKY, from time, and when Jabalbina first Mossman to Mowbray to Hope started I used to go on Country Farm – all up and down the coast with a lot of our Elders. with my Mum. I learned a lot from them, many We’d travel on the old bus, back of them have passed, but I carry in the day, when it was only one that passion within me, no matter lane – scary days. where I’ve been I’ve always kept Lilly Johnson was my Mum’s that link with Jabalbina and I name, and God rest her soul, she’s always hoped one day I could passed on. come back and be on the board – My biological father was an and so I am. Italian who left when I was baby, I’m so excited to be working with but my real Dad – the man who this board. raised me – was Joseph Albury My passion is to work with our Profile: ‘Stormy’ Baird from Daintree. Bama on what they want to see – In 1969 I went to live with my what’s the outcome for them? Deputy Chair Aunty Mary McIvor and families I want to be able to bring in Hope Vale, where I lived for everyone together because before Michelle Friday four years before going south to Native Title we all worked as one, Victoria for 17 years we were one, we still are one, but I started my career in health – that division was created. or western health or medicine, We have to remain strong and as I call it – as what was called a acknowledge those who have ‘Registered Nurse Aid’ in 1976. gone and left us and we have to I had two children in Victoria but provide, care for and look after the pull to come home was strong, the Elders we’ve still got because so I came back and I’ve been here they are precious – when we for the past 20+ years. lose them, we lose a little bit of I went into Aboriginal health in ourselves. the 1990s and I’ve never left it, it’s So that’s my passion and that’s been my passion to work for our why I’m here – I want to be able Where were you born and where people, our Bama people. to make sure Bama can go back did you mostly grow up? I was part of the team who on Country, can live it, work it I was born and raised in Townsville, developed the Social and and really listen to our stories and and the beautiful Aboriginal Emotional Health and Wellbeing language. Community of Palm Island. Consortium, we were the first Those stories and our language What do you do? Registered Training Organisation is not just about going fishing or I am a Field Officer in the Community set up in back in the camping, it’s actually everything, Relations & Dispute Resolution early 2000s. it’s who we are. Unit at Cape York Land Council. Social and emotional health and And I’m in for the long haul too, Why did you want to be on the wellbeing is still my passion but I want to be able to have an open board for Jabalbina? when Jabalbina was first opened ear for all our staff, male and I have been a member since I started working alongside sister, female, and especially our rangers. Jabalbina’s inception, and an Nyungkal Elder and project I would rather talk about our employee, so the decision to officer Hazel Douglas, whose problems and work them out, let’s become a Board Member was a memory lives forever in my heart. not divide and conquer, let’s all be natural progression. She was my mentor for a long as one. 3 Land buys securing future Jabalbina has been working with a group called ‘Rainforest 4 Foundation’ to ensure land purchased for conservation is protected in the Daintree National Park and will be managed by the Traditional Owners. Rainforest 4, a group committed to protecting and restoring rainforests, has ongoing and completed projects in Indonesia’s Sumatran and Central Kalimantan rainforests, New South Wales and Victorian forests in the wake of this year’s bush fire crisis, and several Daintree projects, including a plan to assist Jabalbina with the purchase of several more blocks earmarked for TO management and care. Tribulation Road and several others throughout the “In 2019 we worked together to purchase and protect year, all of which will be transferred to National Park a block on Buchannan Creek Road,” CEO Kupa Teao through the Cape York Peninsula Aboriginal Land said. (CYPAL),” he said. “Rainforest 4 founder Kelvin Davies met with “There are other blocks with infrastructure to support Jabalbina staff and Jalunji TOs earlier this year to look TOs in their aspirations to care for and return to at some other blocks. Country.” “The Jalunji Clan Governance Committee then He said the Coronavirus had caused some delay to confirmed their support for the project moving moving forward as quickly as they had initially planned. forward in February this year.” For more information see: He said since then staff had continued to work with https://www.rainforest4.org/jabalbina_partnership?fbcl Rainforest 4 and have set up a relationship with a pro- id=IwAR3I68rQUaXxytJSTU8sw_JHssHoiPO0VdWL1ou bono lawyer to facilitate the partnership. zRdqZBM_0jIS5AVcl40E “We plan to purchase another block on the Cape Pics thanks to Steven Nowakowski.

Jabalbina has been making use of this time to apply for funding and has submitted applications and expressions of interests for the following projects:

Cultural Heritage Funding for Cape York Peninsula Aboriginal Land (CYPAL) National Parks: Jabalbina submitted an application to work with Elders and Clan Governance Committees to identify Sacred Sites within the CYPAL National Parks and professionally record Elders Stories.

Looking After Country Grant on behalf of Burungu Corporation: Jabalbina submitted an application on behalf of Burungu Corporation for Cultural Heritage funding that aims to support Buru Corporation to work with Elders to map and record Cultural Heritage information and protect Sacred Sites.

Master Planning update: Jabalbina has been in contact with the Indigenous Land & Sea Corporation (ILSC) and is aiming to put in an application for the Master Planning project through their ‘Our Country Our Future’ program in the coming months. Shannon Burke

4 CYPAL / TONC planning work ‘full steam ahead’ Jabalbina’s engagement with the Cape York Peninsula Aboriginal Land (CYPAL) project has been full steam ahead over the past few months Native Title Tenure Resolution Manager Conrad Yeatman says.

He said before Coronavirus Rangers to start jointly working “The TONC has made some good restrictions, site visits with together,” he said. progress and are working towards Traditional Owners and In February, he said, the TONC finalising everything at the next Traditional Owner Negotiation came together in for and final TONC 9 meeting,” Mr Committee (TONC) member, their 8th meeting. Yeatman said. “Alongside all of Queensland Parks & Wildlife “The meeting ran for the usual this activity TONC and Traditional Services (QPWS), the Wet three days with presentations from Owners have had to adapt to a new Tropics Management Authority consultants on their draft plans that way of communicating because of (WTMA) and the Department of are to be submitted as schedules Coronavirus. Environment & Science (DES) into the IMA,” he said. “TONC has started meeting teams were ongoing. He said the plans they looked via video linking, and it’s been “We’ve all been working hard at included: challenging, however it is essential towards identifying final Living • Cultural Heritage Management to keep things moving forward and Area and Restricted Access Areas Plan; the our members have continued for the project,” he said. • Tourism Strategy; and, with their hard work and best “The Jabalbina CYPAL Team • Implementation Framework. efforts in support of this project.” held their very first Joint Management Workshop in SEE PAGES 10-11 FOR MORE CYPAL/TONC REPORTS January, with representatives from all our stakeholders and Stuart Cowell, a consultant, was also there. “With his help we hope to finalise plans for the Indigenous Management Agreement (IMA), so he also ran some sessions on forward planning and land management.” He said the workshop ran over three days and had some great results. “It was good practice for both Jabalbina Rangers and QPWS 5 Rangers keep working above and beyond Jabalbina Rangers have been doing some ‘amazing’ work while they’ve been locked down under Covid-19 arrangements, Ranger Resources Dawn Harrigan says. “Clearing, mowing, whipper snipping, burns, helping with firewood drops, and being involved in the Local Disaster Management Groups, they’ve really put their Djabugay Aboriginal Corporation’s hands up and pressed on with what Bulmba Rangers and Dawul they could press on with,” she said. Wuru Aboriginal Corporation’s 2020 Ranger’s “It has been a challenging time for Rangers hosted this us.” year’s Indigenous Land & Sea Conference She said they had also done some Rangers conference, held at the trips with the Wujal Wujal Justice Conference Group. Tjapakai theatre in early March, pics thanks to organisers. “They’ve taken them on country not long before social distancing Top three pics: and looked at some places where Rangers at came about. work; Below: Five of our Jabalbina rangers went – the Queensland Mapping and survey work of Indigenous Women’s Dawn Harrigan, Nikita Jack-Tayley, Ranger Network Zig Zag, 8-Mile and Ngamu Patrick & Nigel Minniecon, Anthea has been carried out in Solomon and Alister Gibson – to the consultation with TO and three day event which was for rangers Elder Bobby Ball by Nyungkul from all over Queensland. Rangers Charlie Ross-Kelly “Monday was about leadership, which and Thomas Houghton, and myself, Nikita and Anthea attended,” Wujal Rangers Alister Gibson Ranger Resources Dawn said. and Nikita Tayley. “That was about different styles of they plan to build some resources leadership, it was a really crammed “After surveying these areas we for the community to work with,” session hosted by Clinton Scott-Knight. noticed a big fuel load so under the Ranger Dawn said. “The second day we looked at this directive of Bobby Ball we did some “I want to acknowledge the hard year’s theme which was ‘more than a small burns to reduce it,” Ranger work they have put in, particularly ranger’ so I got to speak on a women’s Thomas said. Thomas Haughton and Charlie ranger panel talking about women “There were areas around 8-Mile Ross-Kelly from Shipton’s Flat base, working on country. and Ngamu that were not burnt last for their ongoing dedication and “The rest of the day was talking about year. support.” social enterprise and our roles in “We also collected a ute load business, with some examples of that, of fire wood for Bobby’s camp at so it was about opportunities for Bama Banabilla.” on country. “We also did some fun things like boomerang and speak throwing, the train and the Skyrail, which was a bit scary.” Congratulations to ranger Vincent Tayley and former-ranger Bradley Creek, both of whom have She said all the rangers got a lot out of been re-elected in the recent local government the event and look forward to the next elections. In the pic from left to right is Cr Robert Bloomfield, Mayor Bradley Creek, Cr Vanessa Tayley, one. Deputy Mayor Vincent Tayley & Cr Reagan Kulka. 4 5 Rossville Primary School’s great big adventure with our Shipton Flats Rangers

“It was the best day,” they said. The school, the Elders and the rangers all enjoyed a day of hiking and learning in their own country, not long before Covid-19 restrictions came into play. “But we will do it again,” they said.

Thanks to Jabalbina for their support in my successful application to the Milparanga 7.1 Leadership course, Ranger Dawn says. “Held over a week, this course really challenged me at nearly every level. “I’d really like to encourage others to apply for this if they can.” For more information contact Tammy Hunter on 0498 555 750 or email [email protected]

8 Collingwood work ongoing The Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy (DNRME) is developing plans to ensure work keeps moving on the Collingwood Tin mine remediation project under COVID 19 restrictions. All activities on the site are the Nyungkulwarra Traditional • Road works and cleaning conducted in accordance with Owner sub-committee, are: out culverts and drainage the Chief Health Officer’s public • Portal closure channels. health directions for COVID 19 • Core yard remediation The project team worked closely and the Australian Government’s • Workshop remediation with JYAC on the water release restrictions on entry to remote • Removal of pumping and and monitoring programs that Aboriginal and Torres Strait electrical infrastructure no made sure the site had enough Islander communities, which apply longer required storage to safely contain wet- to Cook Shire. The project team will also present season rainfall and run-off in line There are exemptions for people draft detailed designs for reshaping with the site Water Management providing essential services and stabilising the processing Plan. including mining, oil and gas, and area and tailings dams to the sub- Some quick figures on water related operations. committee to ensure they meet the management include: Essential workers must carry agreed vision and appropriately • Approximately 550mm of rain an agreed human biosecurity address cultural heritage values. recorded on site from 1 January management plan at all times while Works already completed on site to 30 April 2020. they are working in a restricted this year include: • Minimal increases to water community. • Capping the ventilation shaft – levels in the tailings and water A DNRME spokesperson said a 5m-wide hole 196 metres into dams the Collingwood Tin Project team the underground mine that • Pre-wet season water sampling would continue to meet all relevant was a danger to the public to establish the condition of environmental, biodiversity • Repair and maintenance work the river protection and cultural heritage on the high-voltage electricity • There has been no water requirements in its site activities network on site, that allowed discharged from site in 2020. and investigations into remediation handover to Ergon Energy and DNRME has released a project options. ensured an ongoing power update for stakeholders providing Works for completion this supply for the JYAC ranger more information on completed financial year, in agreement with office and planned works. 9 Unanimous support for tourism vision The 8th TONC meeting was held in Port Douglas and attended by nearly all members Native Title Tenure Resolutions Manager Conrad Yeatman says. “Our members unanimously resolved to support a tourism vision adopted for the Practical approach to purpose of developing an overall Tourism Strategic Directions Project, proposed to be a ‘schedule’ under our Indigenous collaboration sought Management Agreement (IMA),” he said. The vision says: Jabalbina and the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Ngana Eastern Yalanji warra, Ngungkal, Service (QPWS) have been working hard on a project to Yalanji and Jalun warra, proud members develop a “robust but practical” approach to collaborative of the world’s oldest living and surviving management of EKY national parks. culture, welcome visitors to share respect for our bubu (country), where the world’s Native Title Tenure Resolutions “We’re not trying to reinvent oldest madja (rainforest) meets our Manager Conrad Yeatman said the wheel here, we’re trying to pristine jalun (sea and reef), bana yarralji the primary focus of the project develop a ‘bolt-on’ – additional (fresh water), kija (moon) and jiri (sky). was to find co-stewardship – solution that recognises, Ngana juma ngajil baja (Goodbye, see implementation approaches to builds on and integrates the you again next time!) shared priorities such as fire and massive amount of work we’ve He said they had respectfully requested pest management. already done. support from the State Government “This work will inform, but not “If we have better and the tourism industry for their goal replace, existing Indigenous synchronisation and an agreed to make it compulsory for commercial Management Agreement (IMA) pathway forwards, we’ll have tourism operators to employ Yalanji- negotiation processes, such as progress.” warra bama tour guides. TONC,” he said. He said the approach should “TONC has also asked that all staff are “We had hoped to finalise the result in a practical mechanism properly inducted under the plan,” he project by mid-June this year. for moving forward, whilst said. “Co-stewardship respecting traditional owners He said the draft Tourism Strategic implementation means we’ll all aspirations, guidance and Directions Report was tabled and be on the same page and doing support not just for now but for discussed at the meeting, before being things in collaboration. years to come. approved for further and ongoing consultation in the lead up to signing the IMA. “TONC members also endorsed the draft Eastern Yalanji-warra Cultural Heritage Management Plan and its continued development for inclusion in the IMA,” he said. He said 16 resolutions were passed overall (available on request), including assistance with the purchase of tablets and computer software to ensure TONC members were engaged and involved in ongoing meetings. 10 Positive feedback on process & progress Jabalbina continues to receive positive feedback about the CYPAL process from Traditional Owners, Native Title Tenure Resolutions Manager Conrad Yeatman says. “We’re taking every opportunity involved in what we are doing,” he for clan governance, decision- to present our Cape York Tenure said. making processes and terms of Resolution Program work under “To have their support to references,” he said. the Cape York Peninsula Aboriginal ensure TONC members legal “This engagement and support Lands (CYPAL) to Traditional responsibilities and our own ensures suitable consultations and Owners and key stakeholders,” he contractual obligations are met is culturally appropriate processes are said. critical. maintained. “We have also maintained “Our focus will always be on “Legal advice in closed sessions effective communication with the ensuring that everyone who holds during the 8th TONC meeting have Traditional Owners Negotiation or may hold Native Title to the four also worked towards finding a way Committee (TONC) and over the national parks which are the subject to support these processes. past few months which has initiated of our negotiations are identified “And our Jabalbina CYPAL team and supported by our CEO Kupa and authorised in the making of holds weekly meetings with key Teao.” this new ILUA.” staff for updates and planning.” He said the support of P&E Law, Mr Yeatman said several meetings He said information had been Ryan Elis and Anthologist Peter have been held, including some via shared through community Blackwood, had been critical. video conferencing, with various engagement, Bamanka Kaban, “Our Indigenous Land Use clan groups since January. public notice boards, key Agreement area is complex and “Anthropology meetings with community elders’ groups and we are fortunate to have a large Peter Blackwood have bee working social media and had involved a population of Traditional Owners towards establishing a framework majority of TONC members.

11 Our brand new custom-built boat...hits the road! After almost two years in the build Jabalbina now has a ranger vessel IPA manager Jeff Arneth says. He said he drove to Caboolture, in master and mentor for Jabalbina workshops that need to take place , himself to rangers to begin realising Eastern as part of the planning process. pick up new launch “camping along Yalanjiwarra aspirations for Sea “However our funding body, the the road and listening to 80s tunes Country,” he said. “This leads me to Great Barrier Reef Foundation, along the way”. a brief update on the Sea Country remains committed to supporting “Our next step is to secure a vessel Plan, which is on hold due to the us through current uncertainties.” Rossville Primary School’s great big adventure...

...with our Shipton Flats Rangers SEE INSIDE FOR MORE!

Bamangka Kaban was edited by Christine Howes (chowes.com.au) for Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation ©2020