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Tarwangin - Talking To Me - 18 January 2008
Welcome to Tarwangin, a regular newsletter produced by the Department of Indigenous Affairs to provide the latest news and information on issues associated with Indigenous communities.
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ATO Implements Specialist Indigenous Approach
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is to establish eight new positions aimed at explaining issues such as taxation and superannuation to Indigenous communities. Commissioner for Taxation, Michael D'Ascenzo commented that the ATO was establishing a project that looked at how it could improve the level of support and assistance it provided to Indigenous people, and how that help is provided, particularly to rural and remote communities. "We are establishing eight Indigenous Liaison Contact Officer positions next year, to work with Indigenous communities. Their role will positively impact on the relationship between the ATO and Indigenous people, fostering a better understanding of their needs and making it easier to comply with taxation and superannuation." Mr D'Ascenzo further commented the work carried out by the Liaison Contact Offices would include explaining taxation and superannuation changes at indigenous community forums (with technical support), attending various forums as a representative of the ATO, presenting segments on the National Indigenous Radio Service, assisting in the development of ATO products specifically designed for indigenous taxpayers, and more generally working with indigenous communities to co-design ways of better meeting their needs in relation to tax and superannuation. For more information visit the following website.
Indigenous Play Highlights Language Genocide
A production kicking off at the Sydney Festival is seeking to highlight the dire status of Indigenous languages. Ngapartji Ngapartji, which opened last Friday at the Belvoir Street Theatre in Surry Hills, is based on the forced removal of people from their traditional land in the Central Desert for British atomic weapons testing during the Cold War. The work is conducted in English and Pitjantjatjara and audience members are encouraged to visit the website and learn some of the language before seeing the show. Director Scott Rankins says Australia is at risk of losing its Indigenous languages and encourages the Commonwealth Government to instigate a national policy to teach Indigenous languages in schools. For more information about the play visit the following website here.
2008 Survival Indigenous Cultural Festival
Invitations are extended to attend the 2008 Survival Day Celebrations on 26 January. Broadcast live from Supreme Court Gardens from 1pm-7.30pm, the day will begin with a Welcome to Country by community Elders and an official opening by the Minister for Indigenous Affairs, the Hon Michelle Roberts MLA, and continue with Indigenous speakers, cultural stalls and entertainment by local Indigenous artists. There will also be a storytelling, dance and music workshops by the Wadumbah Dance Group and a special children's activity marquee. Stage performances by Fitzroy Express, Djiva, Ab-Music and other favourite Indigenous bands/musicians will also be occurring throughout the day. The theme for Survival Day 2008 is "Honouring the Children' and will pay tribute to the lives of children from the past generations and will encourage looking forward to create better futures for our children today. For more information about the festival, visit the following website here.
New Opportunities for Indigenous Australians to share their stories
Indigenous stories will be the focus of a new national forum celebrating Indigenous Australian storytelling, which will be hosted by Western Australia in February 2008. The inaugural National Indigenous Storyteller's Forum represents a unique opportunity to bring together Indigenous Australian film makers, theatre producers, musicians, writers and performers. The Forum is also an opportunity for all participating artists to make new contacts, identify industry issues, develop projects collaboratively and be part of professional development opportunities. The Forum will culminate in a 'pitching session,' in which Indigenous artists will have the opportunity to pitch an idea for a project to a panel of industry professionals. The event will be held from 18 - 19 February 2008 at the Film and Television Institute in Fremantle and is free for Indigenous practitioners to attend. Registration is essential. For copies of the registration forms and more information, contact the Department of Culture and the Arts on 9224 7300 or visit the website here.
Native Title Anniversary Celebrated with Special DVD
Fifteen years of Native Title in Australia has been celebrated with the production of a DVD by the National Native Title Tribunal. Titled "15 Years of Native Title," the DVD documents the history of this complex part of Australian law and was aired on National Indigenous Television this week. The DVD explores the four native title determinants of Mabo, Wik and Wik Way, Yorta Yorta and Noonkanbah and will soon be part of the Tribunal's products and publications available to the public. Both the archived footage and the testimonials on the DVD showed how a lack of knowledge about native title and the Indigenous people's rights to land and waters in the past allowed negative attitudes to form. However, the DVD also shows that across Australia there is now a better understanding of native title and demonstrates that through agreement, lasting outcomes and relationships between the Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities can be achieved. Orders for the DVD can be placed online or by freecall within Australia on 1800 640 501.
Strong Women Strong Leaders Workshop
Isabelle Adams, an Indigenous woman with extensive adult education experience, has developed this unique two-day training program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. Focusing on leadership, representation, safety, well-being and economic status, the course is designed to enhance and empower these women in order to reduce disadvantage. Participants have the opportunity to improve their well-being and status as women, develop and enhance their personal leadership qualities and skills, strengthen their capacity as community leaders and representatives of their families at the local and regional level, and to enable women as leaders to assist the building of their local and regional communities. There are 12 places available at this free workshop to be held on 26th and 27th February 2008. For more information call Cassandra on 9451 1424 or email the Langford Aboriginal Association.
New Land Deal means New Homes for Port Hedland
Two Indigenous groups from Port Hedland are working to provide 150 new houses following an agreement with the Western Australian Government to grant 12ha of residential land to the traditional owners through the Kariyarra-Mugarinya Joint Venture. The land parcel is part of the South Hedland land earmarked by mining company Fortescue Metal Group (FMG) to provide housing for its permanent Pilbara workforce. Following negotiations with the State Government and FMG, an agreement has been reached to grant the Aboriginal groups the parcel of land for residential development to meet the growing demand for housing from the resources boom. Kariyarra-Mugarinya Joint Venture Chairperson Diana Robinson said the agreement would enable the Indigenous landowners to develop the land and benefit from the proceeds. Mrs Robinson further commented that Kariyarra-Mugarinya Joint Venture would work closely with the private sector to develop the land and ensure there were employment and training opportunities for local Indigenous people. For full media release, click here.
Indigenous Students ACEPT Hands-on Opportunity
Twelve Indigenous schools students have broken new ground after starting training at Challenger TAFE's Australian Centre for Energy and Process Training (ACEPT). This pilot program, part of a school-based traineeship, will see the Year 11 students attain internationally-recognised qualifications and vital hands-on experience in the oil and gas industry. The program was developed from partnerships with Woodside, the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA), SMYL Community Services and the Western Australian Process Manufacturing Industry Training Council (WAPMITC), with Challenger TAFE's ACEPT selected as the program's training provider. "The main goal of this program is to have more Indigenous youth engaged in viable employment career pathways, and hopefully several of this pilot group will end up enjoying successful careers in the broader processing industry, particularly the oil and gas sector" said Jim Maguire, WAPMITC Executive Officer. He went on to add, "By combining learning in the classroom and nationally recognised training and industry experience, we are equipping these young Australians with skills that are sought after around the world". For more information about the school-based traineeship, or the opportunity to offer workplace experience to a trainee, please contact SMYL Community Services on 9430 4921 or by email, or contact WAPMITC on 9383 7236 or email.
Mining Jobs to Hit South West of WA
An agreement between Perth Employment and Enterprise Development Aboriginal Corporation (PEEDAC), mining contractor NRW Holdings and Bunbury TAFE will offer the chance of mass employment in the mining sector for Indigenous people in the south west of Western Australia. The agreement will deliver a training course, called Structured Training Employment Program and Employment Related Services (STEP ERS), which is designed to deliver job-ready applicants to the mining industry. The first one month course will began immediately when the initiative was launched at PEEDAC this week. Training Manager, Sharmain Nelson, said the STEP ERS program was unique because the course was offered online through Bunbury TAFE, meaning that any participants could complete the certificate at their place of work if they were employed before the course is finished. Ms Nelson further commented that the program is a chance for Indigenous people in the south west to make the most of the opportunities the boom is offering by entering into the mining industry and securing jobs through NRW Holdings. For more information, contact Bunbury TAFE or PEEDAC.
Winjan Celebrates Life Through Art
The Winjan Aboriginal Corporation has held their fourth annual art exhibition, titled Woon-Yaa Ngundabut, meaning 'Love of Life'. This year's show was a celebration of one of the six Noongar seasons, Kambarang, which brings decreasing rains and the onset of the warmer months. Students in Aboriginal Cultural Arts and Tourism at Winjan displayed artworks celebrating life in the Coodanup region.Mandurah Mayor and Chair of Challenger TAFE's Governing Council, Paddi Creavey, spoke to the assembled artists on opening night. She commented that "the artworks speak to the heart because they are painted from the heart". For more information on courses at the Winjan Aboriginal Corporation, contact Ken Gwyer on 9534 7544 or by email.
Muttacar Sorry Business
Yirra Yaakin Theatre and the Insurance Commission of Western Australia have joined forces to present Muttacar Sorry Business, a unique performance and workshop package tackling the high incidence of road trauma amongst Indigenous communities. The project will address alcohol, speeding, driver fatigue, vehicle overcrowding, no seatbelts, pedestrian hits and risk-taking behaviour as well as social issues that lead to the high numbers of Indigenous people killed or injured in road crashes. For more information about this free show, contact Meredith Warne by email or phone 9202 1966.
Montreal Native Film and Video Showcase
The 18th Montreal First Peoples Festival is calling for submissions of audiovisual works for this year's showcase, taking place June 12th to June 22nd. As always, the showcase features works by Indigenous directors and films by non-Indigenous directors about Aboriginal topics. Festival organisers are interested in films and videos that reveal aspects of the life of Indigenous communities, their real and imaginary world, as well as their custom, culture, history and spirituality. All kinds of works are welcome, whether it be drama, animation, documentaries or experimental works. For more information, please visit the website.
Prison Officers Wanted
The Department of Corrective Services is looking for Indigenous people interested in becoming prison officers. These permanent positions come with a flexible rostering system, excellent working conditions and the opportunity to work in regional areas. For more information, see the following link.
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