Home > Information > Tarwangin > 2 November 2007
Tarwangin - Talking To Me - 2 November 2007
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.
To receive the Tarwangin Newsletter subscribe here. We welcome any feedback and/or suggestions for new stories for upcoming editions of Tarwangin. Please contact Public Affairs at DIA for further information.
Ngururrpa people celebrate native title claim
The Ngururrpa people of Western Australia's central desert region have had their native title rights recognized less than a year after first lodging their claim. The Ngurrurrpa people reached an agreement with the WA State government so that native title is recognized over 29 719 square kilometre of land in the Great Sandy Desert. The determination was made by Chief Justice Michael Black at the Federal Court hearing which was held south of the Balgo Community in late October. The determination recognized that the Ngururrpa people, who are represented by the Central Desert Native Title Service (CDNTS), have the exclusive native title rights to possess, occupy, use and enjoy certain areas of land where there has not been any extinguishment or where extinguishment has to be disregarded. National Native Title Tribunal member, Ruth Wad said that it was pleasing to see native title claims progress so quickly and with such a spirit of co-operation. "This is a great achievement and hopefully it is a sign of things to come in resolving other native title claims in Western Australia," commented Ms Wade.
Business Traineeship Program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People
The WA State Government is looking for energetic, motivated and enthusiastic young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, under 25 years of age, who want to complete a Business Traineeship. Successful applicants could have the chance to work in a WA State Government agency, while completing a Certificate II or III in Business, and get paid for it! If successful, trainees will learn a range of business and administration skills and get the chance to see the variety of jobs available within the WA Public Sector. These traineeships are not for people who already have a Certificate III or above in Business. To apply simply email your resume to atsi@dpc.wa.gov.au. For further information on the Program, go to http://www.gettingajob.dpc.wa.gov.au/business_traineeships_overview.html or contact the Traineeship Coordinator on 9222 8817.
Stolen Generations Alliance Launch and Commemoration
A Gala Dinner in Darwin at the beginning of October was held to launch the Stolen Generations Alliance (SGA) and commemorate the 13th anniversary of the Coming Home conference. The conference brought together representatives of Stolen Generations organizations, Link-Up workers, academics and advocates. At the opening meeting, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the chairs of the Stolen Generations organizations in WA's Kimberley region, Central Australia and the Top End. SGA's patron, Professor Lowitja O'Donoghue welcomed this evidence of co-operation between Stolen Generations organizations, something she said was widely needed and vital if the Alliance's aims of "healing, truth and justice" were to be achieved. Executive members to the Alliance were also introduced on the night, including ATSIC Commissioner and Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC) Chair, Brian Butler, and NAIDOC Aboriginal of the Year 2007, Mark Bin Bakar. For further information on the Alliance and its activities, visit the website here.
Experts say urgent action needed to save Indigenous Languages
Around 300 language speakers, teachers, language workers and researchers of Indigenous languages attended the national Indigenous Language Conference (ILC) at the University of Adelaide, on the country of the Kaurna people last month. The conference discussed a range of formal recommendations for action aimed at valuing, protecting and promoting Indigenous languages and called on the assistance of the Australian government to assist in various ways including increasing funding and resources for teaching Indigenous languages, developing a national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages policy and adopting a National Indigenous Television Language Policy. Conference recommendations can be accessed through http://sharingaboriginallanguage.pbwiki.com/. For more information visit the ILC's website here.
Skills Boost for the Kimberley
Indigenous students and communities in the Kimberley are set to benefit from $2million worth of new trade training facilities, including a new mobile training service. Premier Alan Carpenter officially opened a $1.25million upgrade to the trade-training workshop at the Kununurra campus of Kimberley TAFE in early October. In addition, the State Government is spending $220, 000 to purchase new trade training equipment for the workshop for building and construction and automotive trades, with the new tools expected by the end of the year. The Premier said Indigenous people in the Kimberley were also set to benefit from a new $500 000 mobile trade training service - expected to be up and running by mid 2008. "The new service is designed to help Indigenous people learn pre-apprenticeship skills in mining, building and construction trades, as well as general job readiness, literacy, numeracy, and health and safety," commented Mr Carpenter. The Premier further added that this $2million skills boost is an innovative, flexible initiative bringing training and opportunities to Indigenous people living in remote communities.
Sporting Chance Programme for Indigenous Students
The Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) is calling for further funding applications to operate both elements under the Sporting Chance Programme (2006/07 - 2009/10). The Programme aims to improve Indigenous students' educational outcomes, in particular, their achievement to Year 12 or its vocational equivalent, using sport as an engagement mechanism. One of the elements of the programme includes school based sports academics (for secondary students) and funding will target delivery to students in rural and remote areas of the NT, WA and SA. The other element will concentrate on education engagement strategies (for primary and secondary students) which will provide sport and recreation activities aimed at assisting students to engage with and develop positive schooling pathways. Eligible applicants for either elements of the funding include education providers, sporting bodies, Indigenous organizations, corporate and philanthropic organizations. Organizations will be expected to develop strong partnerships with participating schools. Further information, including customer and funding guidelines can be accessed via the website here.
National Caring for Country Strategy
The Second National Indigenous Land and Sea Management Conference was held in Cardwell, south of Cairns, in early October. Attending delegates have endorsed the first steps towards a national Caring for Country Strategy. The conference featured more than 40 case studies, plenary sessions and workshops as well as expedition tours to significant cultural sites for every delegate. Ownership and protection of information was a key theme emerging from plenary speakers such as Mick Dodson and Peter Yu. Other speakers such as Noel Pearson and Murrandoo Yanner emphasized community capacity and the importance of taking responsibilities in land and natural resource management. For more information visit the website here.
1000 carers needed for 1000 kids
The Department for Child Protection is conducting a "Finding Out About Fostering" sessions and invites all people who are keen to talk to people who are adaptable and interested in providing care for children. An experienced carer will run these sessions with the first one being held on Tuesday, 14 November 2007, at 10am or 6pm at Coodanup House (Cnr McLaggin Turn & Streerforth Street, Mandurah). For more information please call 1800 024 453 or visit the website here.
Cultural Exchange Documentary Launched
A documentary on a cultural exchange between a group of dancers in the Solomon Islands and the Noongar community in the WA wheatbelt has been launched in Perth. The documentary, titled, Sharing Cultures - Kellerberrin At the Heart of Cultural Exchange was launched at the Community Arts Centre of WA (CANWA) on 12 October 2007 by Lt-General John Sanderson, the WA Government's special adviser on Indigenous affairs. Kellerberrin Elder Kathy Yarran welcomed about 100 guests to country for the launch. The documentary focuses on the meeting of Noongar people and Narasirato Pan Pipers of the Solomon Islands and features a cultural exchange of traditional music, and dance and explores the shared experiences of their connection to the land. CANWA Indigenous Project Officer, Frank Walsh commented that capacity building and empowering Aboriginal people throughout the Wheatbelt was central to CANWA's objectives, both through the documentary and other projects in the planning stages. For further information contact CANWA on 08 9226 2422.
Geraldton Cultural Awareness Training a Success
Cultural awareness training sessions were run at the Department of Indigenous Affairs' (DIA) Geraldton office on 8 - 9 October 2007 and 11 - 12 October 2007. The training was facilitated by DIA's Principal Indigenous Advisor, Mary Cowley and Senior Heritage Officer, Frank Martin. More than 55 people attended including representatives from the Police Department, Midwest Development Commission, Geraldton Community Patrol, Central West College of TAFE, Geraldton Community Education Centre, City of Geraldton Library, Prisons Department, Water Corporation and the Departments of Health, Child Protection and Corrective Services. The training also involved a panel of community members who attended to answer questions and provide their own stories. Feedback from participants was very positive with many commenting on their enjoyment of sharing stories. For more information, contact Public Affairs at DIA.
DIA congratulates WA youth chosen for the Indigenous Community Youth Leadership Program
The Murchison Gascoyne Regional Office of the Department of Indigenous Affairs would like to congratulate Ms Samara Boyd and Ms Marrika Laudehr, who have both been accepted to participate in the Indigenous Community Youth Leadership Program (ICYLP). Samara was a previous trainee at DIA, currently working with the Geradlton Regional Aboriginal Medical Service and is keen to mentor and support other youth to follow their dreams. Marrika is a talented whose many achievements included being involved in the Geraldton Streetwork Aboriginal Corporation, winning the Bundiyarra Indigenous Youth Awards and chairing the Indigenous Youth Council. ICYLP aims to build the leadership capacity of approximately 50 Indigenous young people each year. Selections for the program were made on the basis on an individual's community involvement, leadership capacity and desire to develop their skills. For more information about ICYLP, visit the website here.
Scholarships available for Indigenous women
Applications are invited from Indigenous women for the Good Shepherd Sisters' Reconciliation Scholarship program. The scholarship aims to advance reconciliation by building the capacity of individual Indigenous women and by making a significance difference in their lives. These scholarships are open to Indigenous women of any age who are eligible for or have enrolled in a course of study leading to a certificate, diploma or degree at an accredited Australian university or TAFE. The scholarships assist students with their HECS liability and provide a small living allowance of $1500 per semester. Students who have made other arrangements to cover HECS fees and those who face additional financial, social, geographic or emotional challenges in undertaking study can request assistance for the purchase of computing equipment, child care, transport, tutoring and counseling to the value of $5000 a year. Good Shepherd Reconciliation scholarships are funded by Good Shepherd Sisters and administered by the Mary MacKillop Foundation. For more information and application forms, call (02) 9929 7344 or visit the website here.
Indigenous Women's Leadership Workshop a success
A workshop conducted by the Kimberley Aboriginal organization Garnduwa on Indigenous women's leadership in Broome has been described by the event organizers as a great success. The workshop, "Young Women, Active Leaders," was an extension from Garnduwa's Kimberley Youth Leadership Program, which focuses on developing young Indigenous women in their personal development and creating opportunities for them to become future leaders of the community. This once off event was attended by 25 young Indigenous women aged 18-30 years who discussed and covered topical issues faced by young Indigenous women on a daily basis in today's society, in the workplace, family, community or as individuals. These topics included shame, self discovery, powerful presentations, governance, team building, conflict resolution, women as individuals, group members, in families and communities. Many of the participants commented at the end of the workshop they felt stronger as young Indigenous women and more confident to speak to people and tackle issues head on. Garnduwa is the peak Indigenous sporting body in the Kimberley and is responsible for the development of local, regional, state and national participation in sport and recreational activities by Indigenous people. More information on Garnduwa can be accessed here.
DIA at the Wardarnji Festival
The Department of Indigenous Affairs is proud to sponsor the Wardarnji Aboriginal Cultural Celebration being held on Saturday 17 November 2007 at the Fremantle Esplanade. The festival will feature the PALS Schools Reconciliation Awards and a finale of a Twilight Corroboree. Highlights of the festival include performances by Kev Carmody, Djiva and AbMusic along with various stalls, bush tucker meals and fun activities for the family. DIA is looking for volunteers to assist with the running of our own activities, including the Stolen Wages and Aboriginal History Research Unit stalls, PALS marquee, an archaeological dig and ENRICH face painting. All volunteers will be rostered for 2 hours and will receive a newly designed DIA t-shirt and cap and a free bush tucker lunch. If you are interested in volunteering please email Petrolyn Vanessie.
|
|