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Tarwangin - Talking To Me - 14 December 2007
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Nyungar Ancestor Reburied in a Moving Ceremony
Metropolitan Elders gathered on Robertson Park on Tuesday 11 December 2007 for the reburial of the remains of a Nyungar ancestor. The reburial was attended by Richard Wilkes, Ken Colbung, Corrie Bodney, Patrick Hume, Phil Prosser, Cedric Jacobs and Victor Warrell and sponsored by Finbar with support from Nick Catania and the Mayor and Director of the Town of Vincent. Australian Interaction Consultants co-coordinated the reburial event. The remains had been inadvertently uncovered during excavations for a development from a low hill in Carr Street, North Perth. Community consultations determined that Robertson Park (previously known as Lake Henderson) was the place for the reburial to take place. A group of Nyungar men performed a traditional dance to set the scene, followed by presentations by Richard Wilkes, Finbar Director, Rick Rimington, Town of Vincent Mayor, Nick Catania, and DIA representative, Peter Randolph. Elders Ken Colbung and Patrick Hume then cleansed the grave site and all those present with smoke as once again the dancers moved silently across the area to the sound of a didgeridoo. The ancestor's remains wrapped in paperbark and tied with plaited red, black and yellow wool were then interred. A boomerang shape surrounds a bed of Indigenous plants that is in harmony with other landscaped features. A nearby circular motif and a bronze plaque also mark the place in honour of the Nyungar ancestor.
Commonwealth Bank to Support Reconciliation
The Commonwealth Bank Group has announced it will support a formal commitment to Australia's Reconciliation with Indigenous people, saying that the bank will now focus on a reconciliation action plan and strategy. As part of the commitment to Reconciliation, the Bank will convene a group to oversee the development of the Group's Indigenous Reconciliation strategy. CEO of Commbank, Ralph Norris, commented, "Our strategy will include developing and strengthening relationships with Indigenous stakeholders; the employment, development and recognition of Indigenous people across the Group; and strengthening the Bank's customer service focus for Indigenous customers." The Bank currently also supports several Indigenous organisations, including sponsorship of scholarships and employment service networks. CEO of Reconciliation Australia, Barbara Livesey, welcomed the plan, saying it provided further opportunities for other businesses to participate in a declaration. The Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) program encourages organisations in all sectors to sign up specific, measurable targets towards closing the 17-year life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non Indigenous people. For more information visit the Reconciliation Australia website here.
Tax Office Launches Reconciliation Action Plan
The Tax Office launched its Reconciliation Action Plan on Monday 10 December 2007 to improve the wellbeing of Indigenous Australians through employment, cultural awareness and education. The plan, launched in Canberra, is part of Reconciliation Australia's National Program of Action involving organisations throughout Australia. The Tax Office Reconciliation Action Plan focuses on three major areas of: employment, career development and access; assisting Indigenous taxpayers; and cultural awareness and education. First Assistant Commissioner, Anne Ellison, said the plan will improve Tax Office employment strategies for Indigenous Australians, provide more help for Indigenous taxpayers, and improve education programs so staff can provide better help for Indigenous communities. The Plan complements the Tax Office's current work with Indigenous communities. "We were the first agency to sponsor Indigenous students through the Queensland School to Work Program. The Program provides high school students with financial assistance, a Tax Office mentor and practical support in the form of work experience over three years," commented Ms Ellison. The Tax Office plans to extend the program to all states and will sponsor an additional 10 Indigenous students by February 2009. The Tax Office Reconciliation Action Plan is available on the Tax Office website here. For more information about Reconciliation Action Plans visit the website here.
WA Indigenous Films to Screen
Western Australian Indigenous short films will screen as part of the Perth International Arts Festival in early 2008. ScreenWest CEO, Ian Booth, commented that Perth audiences at the Sommerville Auditorium would be treated to four Indigenous short films showcasing the diverse filmmaking talent in WA. Traversing a range of genres from coming of age, to mystery thriller and comedies, the WA produced short films deal with universal themes as well as stories unique to Indigenous West Australians. First time film director Jub Cleric's short Drama Storytime is a dark fable - an Indigenous thriller in the vein of Picnic at Hanging Rock. Writer/director Gary Cooper's film Sugar Bag tells a familiar yet still resonant story of one woman's experience as part of the Stolen Generation. On a lighter note, writer/director Debbie Carmody's short comedy Done Dirt Cheap aims to provide more than a few a laughs and the short documentary Bollywood Dreaming introduces an Indigenous girl with movie aspirations. These films were all funded by ScreenWest and Lotterywest through the Deadly Yarns, Index and Bit of Black Business (BoBB) programs supporting the development of WA Indigenous filmmakers. For more information visit the Perth International Arts Festival website here.
Hope for Aboriginal Justice Agreement Coordinators To Help Cut Crime
The Western Australian State Government hopes that two recently appointed Aboriginal Justice Agreement (AJA) coordinators will help reduce crime and Indigenous incarceration rates in the Kimberley. The agreement is a partnership between State Government agencies and Indigenous communities to identify and address justice issues. Liz Kelly is returning to her hometown of Derby to become the initiative's first regional coordinator for the West Kimberley. Kununurra resident Donna Birch is the first coordinator for the East Kimberley. Gordon Cole from the AJA hopes their appointment will result in positive changes for both the Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. "The three broad outcomes of the AJAs is around creating safe and sustainable communities, have a reduction in the number of victims of crime and the reduction in the over-representation of Indigenous people in the criminal justice system," he said. He says both women have the professional experience needed to undertake the jobs and expects Ms Kelly's local knowledge will prove an extra asset. "If we're serious within Government about delivering for Aboriginal people then we need to get the right people in the right locations to assist and to address the issues that are impacting on people in the communities," Mr Cole continued. The first Indigenous community meeting on the agreement was held on Thursday, December 6, at the Karrayilili Adult Education Centre in Fitzroy Crossing.
Program to help Indigenous People Take Control of Diabetes
A new health education program called Journey of Living with Diabetes, has been developed to help Indigenous people with Type 2 diabetes to gain the knowledge and skills to take control of their own health. The new program is the result of a three year collaboration between South Metropolitan Public Health Unit, non-government organisations and Indigenous communities and people. Director General for the Department of Health, Dr Neale Fong, commented that this pilot program was developed to provide culturally appropriate health information in the context of the Noongar Six Seasons. Eight Indigenous health workers completed the six day training course in March before facilitating the pilot program in their communities. The program was well received, with 88 Indigenous people registering and 38 graduating so far. Four Indigenous health workers have started additional programs due to community demand. Fremantle Hospital Senior Aboriginal Health Officer Doreen Turvey said the program was written in clear, simple language with fewer words and more pictures, "People are making changes in their lives. Choosing healthier foods, doing more exercise and losing weight. These are the good news stories," Ms Turvey commented. For more information visit the website here.
Kimberley Land Council Unites with Green Groups
The Kimberley Land Council (KLC) hopes a new alliance with conservation groups will help it protect the cultural and environmental significance of the area when it is negotiating with resources companies. The KLC says revenue from gas developments such as the $12 billion project proposed on the Kimberley's Maret Islands could be a way of providing for the future of Indigenous people in the region. Chief Executive for KLC, Wayne Bergmann, says it is important to manage any deals with resource companies with an eye to the future. "Gas development in the Kimberley could be the next biggest legacy Aboriginal people have," he said. Environment groups like the Australian Conservation Foundation, Environs Kimberley and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) can now have a say in where future developments should be situated. The agreement is also aimed at providing opportunities for Indigenous people. Mr Bergmann says a balance can be found between resources development and protecting the area. "We're trying to find the balance between looking after our culture and environmental values as well as building a capital base to look after our people for the future so that we can do the things that are important to us," he said. Paul Gamblin from WWF says the agreement aims for responsible development. "This is about making sure development is steered in a sensible, responsible direction so that the environment and cultural values of the Kimberley are protected," he said.
WA Radio Program Receives Winning Awards
The Whadjuk Indigenous radio program on 6EBA-FM has picked up two awards in its first year of operation - one national award and one local award recognizing the contribution the program makes to the WA Indigenous community. The radio program was awarded "Best New Talent" at the annual conference of the Australian Indigenous Communications Association (AICA) and a couple of weeks later won an award at the WA Community Industry Service Awards. Whadjuk presenter, Ethel Wallam, commented that the program aims to provide positive stories and try to make sure that the Indigenous community knows what's happening and up to date. "We play only Indigenous music and we promote arts, theatre, sports and the program is there to let the non-Indigenous community know that we are active and doing positive work and getting stronger and prouder," commented Ms Wallam. For more information about Whadjuk visit the website here.
Indigenous Media Internship Available
A new Indigenous Media Internship program sponsored by ScreenWest and the Film and Television Institute WA (FTI) starts in 2008. The FTI Indigenous Media Internship offers two Indigenous people the opportunity to study the 30-week FTI Advanced Diploma in Screen (Video Production) course, followed by a 12 week professional development work placement at FTI. ScreenWest Chief Executive Ian Booth said he hoped the internships would lead to a transition to other production roles for the Indigenous filmmakers. FTI Chief Graeme Sward said there had been some fantastic Indigenous production initiatives to come out of WA in recent years and the Internship would compliment these schemes. Applications for the Indigenous Media Internship are available online here or by calling FTI on 9431 6700. The deadline for applications is 5pm on Friday 11 January 2008.
Indigenous Women Raise Health Awareness
Indigenous women in Western Australia have a one in seventeen risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer. This statistic is part of the motivation behind activities by BreastScreen WA to raise awareness of breast cancer in the Indigenous community in Perth, including a 'Pink Ribbon Picnic in the Park' day recently. BreastScreen WA invited women from community-based Indigenous service providers to join a working group in planning the day. More than 100 women attended, with some coming as far away as Moora to participate in a range of activities including arts and craft, music and yarning. Organisers say they received many positive feedbacks with many participants commenting that they saw it as a great opportunity for Indigenous women to get together and celebrate survival. For more information visit the website here.
Indigenous Pre-Apprenticsehip with TAFEWA
Pre-apprenticeships for Indigenous students in the building and construction industry to be delivered at the Swan TAFE in Balga commencing February 2008. This qualification will provide interested students with the practical skills and knowledge required to work in the mortar trade industry. Entrance requirements include basic communication skills (reading, writing and listening skills) and basic maths skills. Practical and theory studies in the field of bricklaying, block laying, wall and floor tiling and solid plastering and stonemasonry will be part of the apprenticeship. As part of this qualification, students will also undertake supervised work placement. For more information and to register your expression of interest please contact Collene Castle on 9267 7874.
New Agreement creating new jobs
Hundreds of new jobs will be created for Indigenous people in the Pilbara mining industry, according to an agreement between the WA State Government and Rio Tinto Iron Ore. The joint approach aims to identify up to 300 new Indigenous workers from the Pilbara and elsewhere to join Rio Tinto's operations in a range of occupations by 2010. The agreement will focus on educational and training programs and pathways so that local Indigenous people have the necessary skills required to operate in the mining industry. CEO for Rio Tinto Iron Ore, Sam Walsh, described the agreement as a milestone in Indigenous involvement in the resources boom, which was largely being driven by the iron ore industry in the Pilbara. "It is vital that the traditional owners and Indigenous people of the Pilbara not only participate in and enjoy the benefits of this extraordinary activity, but that they become better equipped to control their destiny long after mining has ceased," commented Mr Walsh.
Feedback on Tarwangin Newsletter
The Public Affairs team at the Department of Indigenous Affairs (DIA) would like to hear any feedback from all our Tarwangin readers and subscribers. If you would be able to spend a few minutes sending through your opinions and thoughts on DIA's weekly newsletter, it would be very much appreciated. Your feedback is very important to DIA in order for us to improve and enhance the Tarwangin newsletter. Please email Public Affairs for any comment you would like to make. Thank You.
Positions Vacant
The Department of Indigenous Affairs (DIA) has a few vacancies for anyone interested in applying for the positions of Principal Policy Officer and Project Officer to assist in the development of the Reconciliation Action Plan. For more information on each position please visit the DIA website here.
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