news News from Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation ISSUE 18 I JULY 2012 Nyangumarta and Karajarri dancers for the full story see page 3 Nyangumarta people welcome Justice Anthony North to country for story see page 3 Contents 2 Hello and Welcome from the Co- Chairs of the Board of Directors Hello 3 Recognition of Native Title over shared country: the Nyangumarta and people and the Karajarri people welcome celebrated a determination of joint native title 6 Proposed WA Heritage Reforms: the State Government is making changes that will affect Indigenous heritage sites 7 Agreement focuses on sustainability: The Ngarlawangga people have reached an agreement with Rico Resources 8 20 Years on, Remembering Eddie Mabo: Read about the life and acheivements of Eddie Mabo, and the ways YMAC has been Pilbara Chairperson, Mrs. Eaton Yamatji Chairperson, Peter Windie celebrating this anniversary Hello and welcome to issue 18 of way it administers Aboriginal heritage 10 YMAC finalists in Community YMAC News, Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal protection. We encourage all of our Services Awards Corporation’s quarterly newsletter. readers to get in touch with the State and There has been so much happening for Government to tell them what you think YMAC News profiles staff member Traditional Owners in the Midwest and about these plans. Daniel Shiosaki Pilbara regions that we had to expand June saw the 20th anniversary of the In the Community: YMAC News this edition of YMAC News to fit it all in. 11 Mabo decision, and on pages 8 and 9 profiles Fred Taylor, a successful We are very pleased to be able to tell you you can read about some of the ways Yamatji businessman and ex-YMAC employee about a joint determination of native that YMAC has been celebrating and title that took place on Anna Plains remembering. Respect For Elders: YMAC profiles 12 Station recently with the Nyangumarta Clarrie Cameron There is also much more inside, so thank and Karajarri people. you for taking the time to read this Launch of the Wajarri Dictionary: a 13 There have also been positive expanded edition of YMAC News. celebration at the end of 25 years developments with an agreement of hard work We invite all of our readers to send between the Ngarlawangga people and Policy Matters: YMAC’s Policy their questions, suggestions, ideas and 14 Rico Resources and the launch of the Officer Christina Colegate discusses photos to [email protected] or PO Wadjarri Dictionary by the Bundiyarra current policy issues box 3072, 249 Hay St, East Perth WA 6892 Irra-Wangga language program. (attn: editor). We look forward to hearing 15 YMAC in pictures: a few snapshots of YMAC staff and Committee On page 6 you will find some very from you! members out and about important information about the State Government’s plan to change the news I 2 Recognition of native title over shared country On Friday May 25, the Federal native title consent determination is groups, from way back. Native Title Court handed down a native title very powerful,’’ he said. brought conflict because we each had determination to the Nyangumarta and to prove that the land was ours. But “Native title provides our people with Karajarri communities across shared through strong connection to country, rights; rights to enjoy our country and country near 80 Mile Beach in Western we were able to show how both groups make decisions about what happens Australia. are connected to the land together. on our country. We welcome today’s This brings hope that other groups can The Nyangumarta/Karajarri joint determination.’’ follow this example and share country in determination resolves two overlapping Nyangumarta Traditional Owner a happy spirit. It’s appropriate that this is claims of the Nyangumarta and Karajarri Margaret Rose said, “Years ago, this happening in reconciliation week.” peoples, two different tribal groups country was shared between the two who share traditional laws and cultural connection to the area. Justice North handed down the Federal Court’s decision at an on-country determination at Anna Plains Station. The Kimberley Land Council and the Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation acted on behalf of the Karajarri and Nyangumarta claimants to negotiate native title across 2000 square kilometres of land and sea country across Anna Plains Station, a portion of Mandora Station and 80 Mile Beach, in the East Pilbara and West Kimberley regions of WA. Kimberley Land Council Executive Board Member and Karajarri Traditional Owner Anthony Watson said the Nyangumarta/ Karajarri joint native title determination highlighted how two tribal groups could work together to achieve land rights. “Today’s determination is about co- operation and respect for each other. For these two groups to come together, acknowledge their shared interests in this country and achieve a successful Badimia Working Group member Victor J. Little Karajarri elder Lenny Hopiga and Nyangumarta elder Nyaparu (Margaret) Rose news I 3 Recognition of native title over shared country Karajarri Traditional Owner Thomas King said Friday’s determination was the final step for his people in securing native title across all their traditional country. “All our land and sea country is now covered by native title. This shows the commitment and determination of our people to pursue land rights. But native title is about more than land rights, it’s about finally being recognised as the traditional owners of our country,’’ he said. “Our people have a great connection to country. Our law, language and culture are vibrant and alive. We want to leave a lasting legacy for our children and with today’s native title determination we can achieve that.’’ Nyangumarta elder Charlie Wright Karajarri Rangers news I 4 Nyangumarta people welcoming Justice North to country The determination is comprised of mostly non-exclusive native title rights, permitting Traditional Owners to hunt, fish, gather, access and conduct ceremonies on their ancestral lands. Simon Hawkins, CEO of YMAC, congratulated the groups on their achievement, “The Nyangumarta and Karajarri people should be very proud, this is a positive achievement for everyone. This is a historic day, and a cause for celebration.” Karajarri elders Lenny Hopiga, John Watson and Anthony Watson (behind) with Justice North news I 5 Proposed WA heritage reforms On May 1 2012 the WA Government The State Government called for public DIA outlining our main concerns with released a Discussion Paper putting submissions on the proposals by 6 June, the proposals, and the process that led forward seven proposals to reform the which was later extended to 26 June up to them. The submission includes Aboriginal Heritage protection regime. 2012. some comments on the Government’s This was done without any process of proposals, but most of the proposals After the discussion paper was released, consultation with Aboriginal people. in the Discussion Paper didn’t include YMAC arranged for several Board and enough detail for YMAC to give a The Government is claiming that the Committee members, other Traditional thorough response. YMAC instead took changes will improve the involvement Owners who are involved in heritage the opportunity to tell the Government of Aboriginal people in the process and protection and senior YMAC staff to meet what Aboriginal Heritage reforms should strengthen protection of Aboriginal with the Department of Indigenous look like. These proposals are in line with heritage. However, the proposals Affairs (DIA) and Dr. John Avery, who is YMAC’s Heritage Policy that has been hand control over to Department of in charge of the review. endorsed by the Board of Directors. Indigenous Affairs officers to decide YMAC has also been discussing a YMAC’s proposals cover five main areas: what a significant heritage site is and coordinated approach with the other how it should be managed. This is simply • improved standards of heritage WA Native Title Representative Bodies. not good enough. protection, in line with YMAC sent a letter about the proposals Internationally recognised human Simon Hawkins, YMAC CEO, said “For and review process to all YMAC claim rights standards, the Native Title Traditional Owners, the current Act Working Group members in order to Act and various other nationally is more a licence to destroy heritage raise awareness about the issue and recognised heritage standards than a mechanism to protect it. These encourage traditional owners to tell the proposals will only reinforce this view.” • An independent decision-making State what they think of the proposals. body on heritage, separate from the The proposals focus too much on the YMAC’s co-Chairs Peter Windie and Minister, which includes Traditional approval process for industry and not Mrs. Eaton also sent a similar letter that Owners enough on improving processes for the was widely circulated among YMAC’s effective conservation and protection of stakeholders. • Transparency and accountability in Aboriginal heritage sites.” decision-making The Government acknowledges in the Discussion Paper that there has been • Improved compliance and no formal consultation on the proposed professional standards in assessing changes to date, including with heritage sites and enforcing and Aboriginal people. monitoring their protection Mr Hawkins says “Aboriginal people are • Active preservation and public not just another set of stakeholders. awareness of sites, because This is their heritage and they deserve Aboriginal heritage is important an opportunity to provide meaningful to all Australians, and should be input into the reform process. I am treated as such. sceptical about the current process and The Discussion Paper, along with all of course the short timeframe will not submissions, can be viewed at www.dia. allow for all those negatively affected to wa.gov.au. YMAC’s submission can also have their say.” be found at www.ymac.org.au YMAC lodged a formal submission with Aboriginal heritage sites are under threat in WA news I 6 Agreement focuses on sustainability Ngarlawangga community members, YMAC staff and Rico Resources representatives The Ngarlawangga people of the employment, and business ventures.