Minister announces first phase of Stolen Wages reconciliation: Indigenous Affairs Minister Michelle Roberts announced on 20 September 2007 that consultation to investigate the scope and extent of stolen wages in Western Australia has begun. "The Stolen Wages Taskforce, through its project team, will examine information and research material to develop a better understanding of the extent and depth of this matter in WA," commented Minister Roberts. Individuals and organizations are invited to 'Have Your Say' during the two month period between 1 October and 30 November 2007. Templates to 'Have Your Say' can be accessed from the DIA's website here. Minister Roberts also commented that, "WA's Indigenous people, representative bodies, non-government agencies, institutions and/or bodies which historically are known to have impacted upon the lives of Indigenous people between the years 1905 and 1972, are strongly encouraged to tale part in this process." The Department of Indigenous Affairs is managing the consultation and investigation on behalf of the taskforce and inquiries should be made to the project team on 9235 8127.

Opening the Common Gate - Marking 40 years of Indigenous Citizenship: An exhibition illustrating the lives of Indigenous people in Broome pre the 1967 Referundum is now on show at the WA Museum until December 2007. Opening the Common Gate was created in Broome to mark the fortieth anniversary of the 1967 Referundum. The exhibition takes its title from a wire fence that ran along the municipal boundary of the Kimberley township of Broome - used as a physical boundary to regulate the entry of Indigenous people without work permits. Through a series of panels and exclusive video footage, the exhibition expresses the stories of more than ten people who have delved deep into their personal experience to offer vivid and graphic living history. The exhibition is free and open to the public at the Katta Djinoong Gallery at the WA Museum. For more information visit the website here.

Indigenous Housing Forum: The Commissioner for Equal Opportunity, Ms Yvonne Henderson, will be hosting a forum on Indigenous housing in the South Metro region of the Department of Housing and Works (DHW) at Southlakes Family Centre. The forum is a part of the metropolitan follow up to the Equal Opprtunity Commission's Housing Inquiry and will be one of a series of follow up and feedback visits to various towns and communities throughout Western Australia. The forum is scheduled for Wednesday 3 October 2007, with lunch provided at 12.30pm for a 1pm start. For more information and to RSVP please call Stephen or Marque on 9216 3900.

Archie Roach in Perth for one show only: Acclaimed Indigenous Australian musician, Archie Roach, is heading to Perth to play one show only at The Chocolate Martini (in The Bakery) on Thursday 27th September at 8pm. The Chocolate Martini is a monthly Indigenous music night which occurs on the last Thursday of the month. Established by the local Indigenous business - South West Aboriginal Entertainment - the night seeks to showcase emerging Indigenous artists alongside established acts, and to create a regular event at which audiences can see local Indigenous musicians perform. Ticket prices range from $16 to $20 and can be purchased online at www.swaeonline.com

Tertiary Scholarships for Indigenous Australian Youths: Students entering or already placed in tertiary education are invited to apply to The Foundation for Young Australians for an Indigenous Youth Leadership Programme (IYLP) tertiary scholarships for 2008. Scholarships of up to $6000 annually are available for eligible students for unviersity course fees and other educational costs. In addition to the scholarships, various opportunities will be offered to IYLP scholars for the development of leadership skills, personal development and work experience. Applications open 3 September 2007, and close 3 December 2007. Further information and application forms are available here or call 03 6970 5436.

Broome Ceremony honours Indigenous Serviceman: A weekend ceremony (on 15-16th September 2007) organized by The Honouring Indigenous War Graves Inc. was held at the Broome cemetery, to recognize Indigenous serviceman, Adrian Patrick D'Antoine. The Honouring Indigenous War Graves group was set up two years ago by John Schnaars, an Indigenous Vietnam veteran whose dream is to place headstones on the graves of all Indigenous veterans who were not appropriately recognized upon their return from various arenas of war. Since its inception the group has recognized more than forty Indigenous servicemen in WA. Full article is available on the ABC news website or for more information on The Honouring Indigenous War Graves Inc. visit their website here.

$300m contract for WA Indigenous Mining Company: Ngarda Civil and Mining have recently signed a $300 million contract with BHP Billiton Iron Ore to manage and operate the Yarrie iron ore mine, which is located about 200 kilometres east of Port Hedland. The Yarrie mine contract will commence in April 2008 and aims to contribute to BHP Billiton's overall target of having a workforce comprising 14 percent Indigenous employees throughout the company by 2012. The contract will provide greater education, training and long term employment opportunities for Indigenous Western Australians. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Tom Calma commented that the success of Ngarda Civil and Mining is testament to the fact that Indigenous peoples can and do effectively engage in the mainstream economy with the support of industry and governments.

The 2007 PALS Schools Reconciliation Awards: The 2007 PALS Awards is coming near to an end, with final project submissions due on Friday 19 October 2007. Schools around WA who have conducted a reconciliation project, activity or event throughout the 2007 year are encouraged to enter the PALS Awards. Winning schools will receive an artwork from one of WA's foremost Indigenous artist, presented at the Wardarnji Aboriginal Cultural Celebration on Saturday 17 November at the Fremantle Esplanade. For entry forms and details please visit the PALS website here.

The PALS Schools Reconciliation Awards is an initiative of the Department of Indigenous Affairs in partnership with BHP Billiton Iron Ore.

Below are some examples of reconciliation projects entered into the PALS 2007 Awards:

St Joseph's School, in Moora, realised that much of the local Indigenous knowledge and stories have not been recorded and is in danger of being lost forever. The school recorded the stories of the Moora Aboriginal Community by inviting local Indigenous Elders to be interviewed by the students. The students and Elders worked together to create a computerized recount of the Yuat People’s history, which will become the basis of a presentation to be used for NAIDOC Celebrations within the community for future years. 

Rockingham Senior High School worked together with local Elders and the Naramya Aboriginal Corporation to create a bush tucker garden that incorporated their studies on Indigenois heritage. The students and Elders are also currently working together in developing their own Welcome to Country performance, which will be performed at schools and local community events and assemblies.

Indigenous artwork wins top religious art prize: This year's Blake Prize for Religious Art has been awarded to Indigenous artist, Shirley Purdie, from WA's Warmun community. Purdie's work illustrates the fourteen Christian Stations of the Cross in an Indigenous painting, using traditional ochre paint. Stations of the Cross was selected for the $15,000 prize out of record number of over 500 entries from across Australia. Purdie's community has a long history of combining Indigenous spirituality with the Catholic tradition - what she calls a "two-way." "Two-way is our culture. That's what I feel for my painting," commented Purdie. For full media release and to view Shirley Purdie's winning artwork please visit the following website.

Indigenous Governance Awards: If you think your organization is making a difference in your community then put your hand up and nominate for the 2008 Indigenous Governance Awards. The Indigenous Governance Awards are coordinated by Reconciliation Australia and BHP Billiton to encourage, reward and promote effective Indigenous governance. The awards help to highlight Indigenous achievement to all Australians. Applications are available from the website www.igawards.org.au or by phoning Rowena Withers on (02) 6273 9200. Applications close Friday 21 December 2007.

Strenghtening Indigenous Communities Conference: A two day conference on 4-5 December 2007 in Brisbane, organized by the International Quality and Productivity Centre (IQPC) will focus on ways to create strong and healthier Indigenous communities through capacity building and developing sustainable skills. The Strenghtening Indigenous Communities conference has been researched and developed for individuals in government, Indigenous organizations and service providers in the field of Indigenous, Aboriginal, Koori and Torres Strait Islander affairs. The conference will provide workshops and case studies that aims to create strong leaders to drive change, ensure equal dialogue between the government and communities, manage substance abuse and related issues and develop sustainable skills within communities. For more information or to register to attend the conference visit the following website.

Australian Indigenous Tourism Conference: A reminder that the Australian Indigenous Tourism Conference 2007 is not far away, with only five weeks to go. This year the conference theme is "Walk with me...taking care of Country," and will focus on the environment, careers in hospitality and tourism for young Indigenous people, business opportunities and maintaining our rich Indigenous culture. Registration forms can be downloaded from www.aitc2007.com or for more information please contact Angelique Fransen on 0419 921 946 or via email.

Calling Aspiring Film Producers: The Indigenous Branch of the Australian Film Commission is calling for expressions of interest for a new initiative aimed at developing Indigenous Film Producers. The Indigenous Producers Initiative will involve an intensive development plan that covers all aspect of producing and will be tailored to suit the needs and skills of participants. So if you have ever thought about a career in the film industry and more specifically as a film producer, the Australian Film Commission encourages you to apply for a position in this initative. For an application form or for more information please call (02) 9321 6499 or visit the website here. Deadline for applications is 12 October 2007.

Disability workers information session: After a successful information session last month, Jim Morrison from the Disability Services Commission is again looking for mature Indigenous people who may be interested in a training opportunity in one of the Commission's Accommodation Services. A new information session is scheduled for Thursday 4 October 2007 at the Marr Mooditj College. For more information please contact Jim on 9426 9718.

ICCWA Injury Prevention Awards for 2007: The Annual Injury Control Council of Western Australia (ICCWA) Prevention Awards will be held in the Conference Room at City West Lotteries House (2 Delhi Street, West Perth) on Friday 2 November 2007. These awards showcase the remarkable achievements of individuals and communities to reduce injury in Western Australia. A completed nomination form, a statement addressing the criteria and a letter of support from an external party must be received by 5 pm Monday 15 October 2007. To download the forms and for more information, visit the ICCWA website or call 9420 7212.

Positions Vacant at DIA: There are a number of vacancies at the Department. To view the position details, please visit the employment section of the DIA website here.