UN Declaration on Indigenous Rights: Following 22 years of intense debate and negotiation between member states and representatives of the world's 370 million Indigenous peoples the UN Declaration on Indigenous Rights (UNDIR) was finally adopted in New York last month. The Declaration establishes a universal framework of minimum standards for the survival, dignity, well-being and rights of the world's Indigenous peoples. It adresses both individual and collective rights, cultural rights and identity, rights to education, health, employment, language and participation in all matters that concern them. For more information click here.

DIA Officer receives Waltzing Matilda Bush Poetry Awards:

DIA Land Operation Officer, Keith Leithbridge recently returned from Winton (outback Queensland) with a handful of prizes and titles under his belt from the Waltzing Matilda Bush Poetry Awards. The awards are a part of the biennial Outback Festival, an initiative of the Winton Tourist Promotion Association. The aim of the festival is to provide a holiday destination and activities for families and tourists based on showcasing the Australian bush. Keith recited seven poems in all, six of which were his own composition (including bush verses titled Mum’s Driving Lesson, A Lousy Attitude and Old Mate) and one of Banjo Patterson’s Clancy of the Overflow. Keith took out top honours as the overall Male Waltzing Matilda Champion, awarding him a bronze “jolly swagman” statuette, a boulder opal and a cash prize. In addition to his achievement at the festival, Keith has also written and published six Bush Verses and collaborated with Indigenous musician, Jeff Fletcher to turn his verses to music. For more information, contact Keith via email.

Pilbara Local Justice Plans to Boost Community Safety: Local Aboriginal communities and Government agencies have signed individually developed local justice plans for Newman, Onslow, Roebourne and Port Hedland. The plans are the centrepiece of joint local community and government efforts to improve the lives of Aboriginal people. They set out to boost community safety and help reduce both the number of victims of crime and the disproportionate number of Aboriginal people in the criminal justice system. “The plans commit all community and Government signatories to joint courses of action,” said Trevor Carleton, Executive Manager of Aboriginal Policy and Services, a directorate within the Department of the Attorney General (DoTAG) which administers the Department’s AJA Team. The plans are part of the state-wide Aboriginal Justice Agreement, which broadly aims to create safe and sustainable communities. For more information, visit the DoTAG website.

Community Meetings about Stolen Wages: During the coming month public consultation workshops are taking place as part of the Stolen Wages Task Force. The Project Team will be consulting Indigenous people from the regions about Stolen Wages. Please refer to the DIA website for meeting dates and locations and for public information and fact sheets.

DIA Workshops to Develop Reconciliation Action Plans: In May 2007, the Minister for Indigenous Affairs, the Hon Michelle Roberts MLA, announced that all State Government agencies would develop Reconciliation Action Plans prior to the end of 2007. To achieve this, two workshops are planned for Friday, 19 October. Approximately 100 State agencies will attend. The workshops will be co-facilitated by Jane Magnus, Reconciliation Australia, and the Hon Fred Chaney OA, Board Member of Reconciliation Australia.

Library in Bidyadanga community: The remote Aboriginal community of Bidjadanga has recently opened a new library in an attempt to boost the literacy levels among children and their parents. The 600-strong community, about 200 km south of Broome, has raised more than $100,000 to run the facility. The new library houses hundreds of books, including many donated from the State Library. Broome Regional Library will provide continuing support and training for Bidyadanga staff members, as well as managing exchange items and the delivery of the interlibrary loan service.

East Kimberley Aboriginal Achievement Awards 2007: People from across the East Kimberley and the rest of the State gathered together in Kununurra on 22 September to celebrate the annual East Kimberley Aboriginal Achievement Awards for 2007. The event was a huge sucees, 122 nominations were received, which were of outstanding quality. DIA sponsored the Exceptional Individual Care Giver award, which recognises an individual whose extensive Care Giving has benefited others and the community. Kathleen O’Reeri was the winner of this award. The Achievement Awards are all about the community recognising and celebrating the success and hard work of these people and organisations.

Workshop National Indigenous Youth Movement of Australia: Reconciliation Australia is working in partnership with the National Indigenous Youth Movement of Australia (NIYMA) to deliver a series of Indigenous youth workshops throughout Australia. These workshops are designed to feed into a national Indigenous youth conversation and conference to be held in Melbourne next year. You can learn more about NIYMA and the workshops on their website. The Perth Workshop is scheduled for the 19th October. It is open to all 18 to 30 year old Indigenous young people able to travel and participate in Perth. However, Indigenous young people from all over the Western Australia are strongly encouraged to register their interest. If you are interested in coming along, please contact Melissa Barnes, Reconciliation Australia, on (02) 6273 9200 or email.

Indigenous Governance Awards Recognise Excellence: If you think your organisation is making a difference in your community then put your hand up and nominate for the 2008 Indigenous Governance Awards. Even if you don't score one of the top prizes, there are still plenty of rewards by just entering. The Awards were created by Reconciliation Australia and BHP Biliton to encourage, reward and promote effective Indigenous governance. They help highlight Indigenous achievement to all Australian. For more information, go the the website.

Australian Indigenous Tourism Conference Youth Forum: If you are an Indigenous youth under 30 years of age who has an interest in Tourism, you are invited to come along to the Australian Indigenous Tourism Conference Youth Forum. This is the second Youth Forum to be held as part of the conference and is an opportunity for young people to share their thoughts and ideas, to ask questions or simply just to listen. The conference theme is Walk with me...taking care of Country. The forum is on Saturday 20 October from 1.00 - 5.00pm. There is no costs and afternoon tea will be provided. To enrol send an email or go to the Australian Indigenous Tourism Conference website.

Madjitil Moorna goes out with a bang: On Sunday 28 October the Madjitil Moorna choir will give a celebration performance at the Zig Zag Festival. Leading up to that, the choir has two other gigs: 21 October at the Government House open day on St Georges Terrace in Perth and at the Chocolate Martini at the Bakery in Northbridge. Once the Zig Zag festival is over the choir will look to future directions and is interested in any suggestions or feedback. Please contact Jo Randell, Coordinator Madjitil Moorna for Zig Zag Community Arts Inc on 04 0911 6460.

Good Shepherd Reconciliation Scholarships: In 2006 the Good Shepherd Sisters formalised a Reconciliation Scholarship Program for Indigenous women. The Scholarship aims to advance reconciliation by building the capacity of individual Indigenous women and by making a significant difference in their lives. Reconciliation Scholarships are open to Indigenous women of any age who are eligible for or enrolled in a course of study leading to a certificate, diploma or degree at an accredited Australian University or TAFE. The value of each scholarship will be determined by the individual student’s needs to a maximum of $7,500 per year.  More detailed information and application forms are available from the Mary MacKillop Foundation website or contact the Project Co-ordinator on: (02) 9929 7344 or (02) 8912 4860 or email.

Australian Indigenous Leadership Courses: Australian Indigenous Leadership Courses (AILC) Certificate courses are designed for Indigenous Australians who are active in Indigenous affairs, through employment, or voluntary participation in Indigenous community organisations, government departments or corporations at local and regional levels. On 15 and 16 November a two-day workshop will be held in Perth. Costs are $800. For more information, please contact the AILC on 02 6273 0022 or visit their website.

Indigenous Advisors to the Stolen Wages Taskforce: On behalf of the Western Australian Government DIA is undertaking an investigation into Stolen Wages. This project requires appropriate consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other parties regarding the nature and extent of issues associated with wages, entitlements and other monies of Indigenous people that may have been controlled in the 1900's. A Taskforce has been established to oversee the project. It proposes to engage appropriately experienced Indigenous people to provide cultural and ethical guidance and support to ensure the cultural integrity of the work to be undertaken. The support will be required from date of appointment until 30 June 2008 for approximately 20 days. Remuneration will be in accordance with terms and conditions applying to Advisory Boards and Committees. For further information on the role please contact Wendy Dawson on 9235 8130. Nomination forms are also available from the DIA website. Nominations close on the 30th October 2007.

EoI Panellist Department of Culture and the Arts: The Department of Culture and the Arts is seeking expressions of interest for registering as a panellist for the Department of Culture and the Arts. The Departments needs a pool of committed and informed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and others working closely with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, to help assess applications to the Indigenous Arts Panel, the Arts Development Panel, the Young People and the Arts Panel, the Contemporary Music Panel and the Design and Fashion Panel. For more information, please phone Michelle Broun on 08 9224 7316 or 1800 199 090 for regional people.

A Rewarding Career Working with Young People: The Department of Corrective Services is seeking applications for a juvenile custodial officer recruitment pool, for work in secure metropolitan juvenile custodial centres. This position offers rewarding opportunities for personal growth and career satisfaction, and for making a real difference to the lives of young people. Information sessions about the position will be held on: Monday 15 October at the Aboriginal Alcohol and Drug Service (211 Royal Street, East Perth – enter via rear gates), 12.30-2pm; and Saturday 20 October at the Corrective Services Academy (4 Allen Court, Bentley), 9.30am–11.30am. To find out more, contact Gabrielle Bell on 0403 340 289 or visit the website. Applications close 4.30pm, 29 October 2007. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, trades people and others with diverse life and career experiences are encouraged to apply. No formal qualifications or written selection criteria required to apply.

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.