New Chairman

Terrence Jack is a proud Ngurrara man from the Great Sandy Desert and he’s been elected as the new Chairman for Yanunijarra Aboriginal Cooperation.

“I walk in two worlds. I’m from the younger generation so I bring a unique perspective to this role. My vision is to protect country and our traditional values, while also creating a bright future for our children. I think we need to look at how Ngurrara people can best live in both worlds. I’ve been inspired by my elders, family and other indigenous leaders. Without them, I wouldn’t be in the position to help shape the future for Ngurrara country and people. In five years time, I would like to see more opportunities for young people and to see young people involved in employment, development and supporting one another to create a better future. I feel very happy and proud to be working for my people, elders, Traditional Owners and especially our children.”

Terrence Jack

Yanunijarra AGM wrap!

The Yanunijarra AGM meeting was held on the 18th-20th August 2015 at Yakanarra Community, 120km south of Fitzroy Crossing. There were about 60 attendees at the meeting, who came to help shape the future for Ngurrara country, communities and people.

During the meeting, 4 new directors and a new chairman were elected. The new directors are Beryl Dickens, Irene Jimbidie, Jennifer Thomas and George Jubadah, and the new chairman is Terrance Jack. May we thank and farewell the former chairman, Ronnie Jimbidee, and the outgoing directors, for all their hard work, effort and contributions.

Chief Operations Officer, Peter Murray, says that Yanunijarra is committed to good governance, and to following both cultural and mainstream protocols. 

“Everyone was comfortable that we followed the correct process and were happy with the decision about the new directors. On the board, I think we have a good balance of directors with a range of skills and expertise,” Mr Murray says.

During the AGM, there were talks and discussions about business, employment, development, ranger establishment and ways to look after country. There was also a presentation, organised by KRED Enterprises, from an independent expert panel on fracking. The panel of scientists gave Traditional Owners information about the potential impacts of fracking in the Canning Superbasin. Mr Murray said overall, the meeting was informative and engaging with a good mixture of presentations from all parts of the Ngurrara community. 

“The main highlight was getting everything done in regards to reports from rangers and community members. We have many strong programs happening on Ngurrara country and the PBC wants to be a part of supporting those programs that are creating positive social and economic change. I think everyone was happy with the presentation of the AGM and satisfied with the results,” My Murray says. 

The Ngurrara rangers were a great help, collecting firewood, setting up the camping area, and helping to serve food. Traditional dancing was held on the last night, which brought our community together, and had many participants. 

Our AGM has been at Yakanarra for the last two years and we’d like to thank the community for hosting us. Next year, we might try a different venue, maybe closer to town so that we’re between the river and desert. By doing this, hopefully all of our PBC members will participate, get more involved and learn about what projects are happening on country with Ngurrara people. We believe it’s important that young people and old people are all part of the process of working toward our vision for Ngurrara. By building ourselves up and standing together we are strong.  

Women's Cultural Camp

The Ngurrara Women's cultural camp was organised by the Ngurrara rangers and was held at Kurlku, located 120km south of Fitzroy Crossing. Around eighty women travelled at the great swanky desert to attend the camp, from Broome, One Arm Point, Derby and Fitzroy Crossing. The purpose of the camp was to share knowledge---to create a space where young girls and young mothers could learn from the elderly ladies and Traditional owners of Ngurrara. there was a focus on womens health and well-being and workshops FASD, suicide prevention, motherhood, healthy food, social enterprise, diabetes and empowering communities for everyone. Here's a teaser of some of things we got up to!

Notice of Yanunijarra AGM

Are you a member or director of Yanunijarra Aboriginal Corporation? If so, we have our Annual General Meeting next week at Yakanarra Community. The meeting kicks off on Tuesday the 18th August and runs through until Thursday the 20th August. The meeting will start at 8.30am and wind up around 4.30pm each day. For further information and travel arrangements, please contact Peter Murray on 0418 961 951 (peter[at]yanunijarra.org.au) or Albert Cox on 08 9194 01 56 (albert.cox[at]klc.org.au). We hope to see you there!

NOTICE OF MEETINGS OF EXPERT PANEL ON FRACCING

Meeting 1

When:   19th August 2015, 10am-3pm

Where:   Derby (TBC)

Meeting 2

When:   20th August 2015, 9am- 3pm

Where:   Yakanarra (Bush Meeting)

Who:   All members of the Native Title groups who are members of the Ambooriny Burru Foundation which includes

• Nykina Mangala
• Ngurrara
• Karajarri
• Bardi Jawi
• Yi- Martuwarra Ngurrara
• Tjurabalan
• Jaru
• Koongie Elvire

What:   The purpose of these meetings is to give Traditional Owners information on the potential impacts of fraccing activities in the Canning Superbasin. The meeting will be facilitated by KRED Enterprises Pty Limited and will include presentations from an expert panel consisting of

• Daniel Tormey
• Jenny Stauber
• Paul Howe
• Manny Haghighi

Note that here are no current proposals to fracc on any Ambooriny Burru's members' country.

Please note that this is the same meeting at both venues. Please contact Kaupa Pitt or Joanine Howard on 9192 8782 if you require fuel assistance. Lunch will be provided on meeting days. Any legal questions should be directed to Rob Houston or Megan Highfold on (08) 9192 8782.

A map of rich desert stories

The Ngurrara Great Sandy Desert Canvas is a vibrant and powerful map of Country quite unlike any other. Forget the one dimensional simplicity of road maps, topographical maps or resource maps—this canvas was originally painted to support the Ngurrara native title claim in 1997 and it contains stories and information about the desert: about water, plants, songs and ceremonies. 

Apart from a few rare exhibitions, including at the National Museum of Australia, the 10 metres by 8 metres canvas has been stored in a box in the archives of Mangkaja Arts Resource Agency in Fitzroy Crossing, WA. 

But all this is about to change. 

Terry Murray, a curator with Kimberley Aboriginal Law and Culture Centre (KALACC) and the Deputy Chairperson of Mangkaja Arts, was the youngest artist to work on the canvas. With involvement from Mangkaja Arts and Yanunijarra Aboriginal Corporation, he is working with the other artists and authorised family members of deceased artists toward forming a management committee. The committee will then set a clear path forward to preserving, exhibiting and sharing the impressive canvas. 

Mr Murray says it’s time to develop a vision for the canvas that will benefit all Ngurrara people—young and old. “We’re hoping the canvas can bring Ngurrara people together and that we can use it to celebrate our culture. This canvas, this map, is about our family connections, our connection to country and our shared history. It belongs to everyone,” Mr Murray says.

Joseph (Japarti) Nugget was one of the senior artists who worked on the canvas. He says, “There are special icons painted on this canvas. It shows particular places for people to understand the importance of country and the connection with land and culture.”

Tommy (Ngarraltja) May, another senior artist who worked on the canvas, says, “Everything on this canvas is important.” He painted a Dreamtime story based on how two men met during law time. The story was about getting taught by the elders to pass on the knowledge of their journey. 

It’s a moving, meaningful document, and not just for the Ngurarra painters and people. 

“A couple of years ago, when we were in Perth, a young couple approached the canvas. They looked at it for a while and then they both started to cry. We were actually shocked by the power of it. The power of the layers and what these layers contain.”

Mr Murray says that once the management committee has been formalised there are plans in the pipeline for the canvas to be exhibited in other parts of Australia. There are also plans for it to be used locally, as a teaching tool for school students, and as a draw card for tourists visiting the Fitzroy Valley. 

“It’s been great to have Mangkaja as a safekeeping place but now it’s time to bring the canvas out of its box. It’s so dense and it’s so rich and it’s a way of bringing Ngurrara people together, so we can stand strong and united.”

Keep your eyes on www.yanunijarra.com/news for more updates on what next for the Ngurrara canvas!

Stories, science and the way water moves in the desert

Some magical thinking has gone into putting together the Shell Two-Way Learning Project. It’s a water-monitoring project involving Traditional Owners, Rangers and school students, and it aims to match traditional knowledge about water with Western science.

Peter Murray, Chief Operations Officer of Yanunijarra Aboriginal Corporation, says the findings are valuable, should there be future exploration or developments on Ngurrara country. 

“It’s crucial we understand the way water is connected, the way water moves and the way water is changing in the desert. The findings from this project and this knowledge will help us protect Ngurrara country,” Mr Murray says.

Already, the Ngurrara Rangers have been working at a number of jilas (waterholes) in The Great Sandy Desert, using instruments to measure water levels and gauge the direction of water flow. Each jila has its own traditional story and is connected to another jila through story and song—this project, uses Western science as an alternate way of understanding this connection.

In addition, the project aims to create and provide unique opportunities for students to reach their true potential in the field of science or on country as rangers. The students are mostly from the Walmajarri clan and are enrolled at Djugareri, Yakanarra, Wulungarra and Fitzroy Crossing High. Given the involvement of Rangers and Traditional Owners, there’s also a unique opportunity for intergenerational teaching, and exposing students to potential career paths post-school.

Yanunijarra Aboriginal Corporation believes it’s crucial that traditional stories are passed on to our young people and that our kids have the opportunity to learn and work on country.