Page 6 - Yawuru PBC Newsletter Issue 04 December 2010

Ngaji Gurrjin

Nyamba Buru Yawuru Ltd

Phone: 08-9192 5155

FAX: 08-91925166

Email: yawuru@yawuru.org.au

Office Address:

6A Coghlan St, Broome

Postal Address:

PO Box 425, Broome WA 6725

Technology

Upcoming Event

Closing Date

For White Card Course

Wednesday

15th December 2010

Yawuru Community

Christmas BBQ

at Town Beach Park

Wednesday

22nd December 2010

4pm – 6.30pm

Nyamba Buru Yawuru

Office Closed

from the

Friday 24th December to

Monday 3rd January 2011

December in this Issue Yawuru PBC AGM P.1

Donnelly McKenize, White Cards P.2

Community Approach to Water Quality P.3

Culture & heritage Sub-CommitteeP.4

Yawuru Language, Detention Basin P.5

Office Closed / Profile P.6

I S S U E

D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 0 04

Yawuru Membership Are you of Yawuru descent?

Have you considered becoming a registered member of the Yawuru PBC

If so please contact the Yawuru office on 9192 5155 for information & a member’s

registration pack. or

The first sighting of a Lyngbya bloom in Roebuck Bay was in 2006, with large algal swathes washing up on the shores of Town Beach. With Lyngbya majuscule sighted again during the wet of 2007 the Roebuck Bay Working Group (RBWG), an award winning community group that Yawuru have been involved in since its inception in 2004, began to realize the seriousness of the situation.

Apart from reporting sightings to local management authorities, the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) together with the RBWG organised a community forum, inviting Neil McKenzie and scientists in Lyngbya research to explain possible causes for the blooms and what could be done about it.

The major concern is the impact on essential marine ecosystems such as the seagrass meadows, with Roebuck Bay a vital feeding ground for migratory shorebirds, turtles, dugongs and the endangered snubfin dolphin. Also of concern is Lyngbya’s unsightly appearance and potential to be toxic at stages of its growth, causing a range of symptoms to people who come in contact, including a burning sensation on the skin and eye irritation. So the message is to avoid Lyngbya at all times.

Realizing that it would take an interagency approach to manage the growing Lyngbya nuisance, DEC and the RBWG organised a meeting in December 2008, with Yawuru, agencies, local government and Water Corporation - which has a license to reuse treated waste water on ovals and the golf course.

The outcome was a commitment to fund a Lyngbya Contingency Plan, so the community and management authorities could prepare, should a large bloom occur in Roebuck Bay. There was also agreement on the need for regular scans of Lyngbya’s distribution, increased understanding of the role of land based pollutants on Lyngbya and water quality monitoring of the uncontrolled stormwater drains flowing into Roebuck Bay. Scientific research was also recommended to gain an understanding of the genotype of Broome Lyngbya, the causal factors, how the ocean currents circulate and the effect of Lyngbya on food webs.

Continuing their proactive work, the RBWG sought funding to undertake projects to reduce pollutants from entering the embayment and educate the community on how they can help reduce their impacts on water quality.

A Caring For our Country application has resulted in Rangelands NRM funding for the RBWG to deliver the project: ‘Increased community understanding, participation and stewardship in the management of Roebuck Bay and the Ramsar site.’ One of the milestones has been to prioritise on ground projects which address threats to the Ramsar site from weeds such as Lyngbya. These projects include drainage remediation to reduce nutrients and sediments entering Roebuck Bay, monitoring of stormwater drains for nutrients and sediments, and removal of foreshore weeds.

A’ Clean Drains’ community education project is also being developed to help the community better understand how to they can help to reduce the amount of pollutants and in particular, phosphorous and nitrogen from fertilisers and detergents, from entering Roebuck Bay through run-off into drains and groundwater.

Kandy Curran, Project Coordinator Roebuck Bay Working Group

A Community Approach to Water Quality

Lyngbya on the northern shores Roebuck Bay © Chris Hassell

Yawuru Traditional Owners

inspect drainage for a

remediation project to reduce

the amount of nutrients and

sediments from entering

Roebuck Bay. © Kandy

Curran, 2010.

Yawuru Rangers & DEC staff

Roebuck Bay

Yawuru Members

If you have moved or

changed your address in

the last 12 months

please contact the

Yawuru Office on

9192 5155

to update your details

and receive notices of

meetings, newsletters

and other information.

STANLEY DJIAGWEEN (Story by Sandy Harris from information provided by dowaji)

Stanley Djiagween known to most as Dowaji, is the eldest son of 4 children from Mabel & Paddy Djiagween. He was born on 27th June 1935 at the common gate fence on Herbert Street Broome.

One of Dowaji’s earliest childhood memories was in 1942 when his parents and family were moved to Beagle Bay Mission to escape the World War II bombings in Broome. When the war was over, his family returned to Broome where he went to school at St Mary’s run by St John of Gods nuns. His father Paddy asked him to finish school when he was around 13 years old so he could work and help support the family. Dowaji found his first job at the Number Two Ellies Store where he washed and cleaned bottles so they could be refilled and sold with lemonade.

He later moved onto work at the Number One Streeter’s Store helping out with the grocery stock. While working here he had an accident and burnt his leg with hot boiling bitumen. He spent the next 3 months in the native hospital and was unable to work for six months. After he recovered, Dowaji found work with a horse trainer near Cable Beach towards Gantheaume Point and remembers only one house in the area. Part of his job was to take the quiet horses down to the beach to exercise in the water. The horses would run, gallop and roll around in the sand and then were taken back to the yard for a hose down in preparation for the races.

In 1953 Dowaji met his lovely wife to be Cissy, on that occasion, while working at the yard one of his stock mates had fallen off his horse and hurt himself badly. It was at that moment Dowaji had noticed Cissy watching and went up and sat beside her not knowing what to say. He eventually built up his confidence and asked her if she was doing anything that night and would like to go to town. Cissy agreed and in 1963 they got married by Father Joseph Flannigan in Broome. Their union produced nine children.

In the late 1950’s Dowaji worked on a number of different pearl luggers where he worked as a deckhand. He then started work at the council yards which was then located where the BP service station is now located on Frederick St. In the early 1960’s Dowaji worked at Liveringa station constructing the Camballin barrage on the Fitzroy River.

Dowaji now spends much of his time riding his push bike around Broome that helps make him one of the fittest 75 year olds around. On his rides he visits and chats with the many people he knows around town. He is truly one of Broome’s great characters. The NBY staff have nicknamed him Lance Armstrong as he is famous for giving everyone he meets a Hollywood movie star name.

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

Yawuru PBC Newsletter

In the Yawuru Language Broome is called Rubibi. If someone was to ask you the following questions this is how you would reply in the Yawuru language

Q: Where is your house? Nyirr-wa janu Rubibi

My house is in Broome

Q: Where does your family live? Jana junu ngarru-ngu-nil yingarr-jinRubibi

My family live in Broome

And for this time of the year a couple of other saying you may hear

Gung-ga-bu yim-burlan wirdu ru-ga. The big storm is coming from the north.

Marn-gala jarla-ngardi lida-barri yingar-ngaran. In December the goanna is fat.

If you would like to join in on the fun and learn the Yawuru language why don’t you come along to one of our classes, Everyone is welcome.

Weekly classes are held on Thursday evenings at 6pm. Look forward to seeing you there.

“The Yawuru Language is a beautiful language. It’s never too late to learn” Dianne Appleby

Yawuru Language Revitalization Strategy

The Yawuru corporate group has embarked on a comprehensive Yawuru Language Revitalization strategy, led by the Cultural & Heritage Sub-Committee.

Yawuru people have identified the revitalization of the Yawuru language as an important priority. The few senior fluent Yawuru language speakers are keen to

pass on their knowledge. The interest in Yawuru language by people is demonstrated by enthusiastic participation in Yawuru language classes on Thursday

nights at St Mary’s School. NBY is in receipt of a grant under the Commonwealth Government’s Maintaining Indigenous Language and Records Program to develop

the Yawuru Language Revitalization Strategy. The sub-committee and Sea and Land Unit staff are working with the Jalygurr Guwan Child Care Facility, Yawuru Jarndu

(women’s group), Magabala Books and local schools to develop a strategy. An important objective is to embed Yawuru language teaching in all Broome schools.

Newsletter Mailing

List If you would like to

receive our

newsletter every

month and be

Kept in the loop with

what is happening

in and around

Yawuru Country or

you have an article

/ story/ photos /

profile about our

Cultural, History or

our People.

Please call the

Yawuru office on

9192 5155

With your contact

details or email: sandra.harris@yawuru.

org .au

Donnelly McKenzie Honoured with Pavilion Name

The pavilion at Peter Haynes Reserve (Haynes Oval) will now be officially known as the Donnelly McKenzie Pavilion. The pavilion name was announced at the Council Meeting on 28

th

October 2010. Broome Shire Council selected the name from 25 community nominations.

Broome Shire President Graeme Campbell said Mr McKenzie was nominated by several community members and was deserving of the honour through his commitment to sport and the wider Broome community.

“Mr McKenzie has contributed to sport in Broome since the 1950’s. He is a founding committee member of the West Kimberley Football League and a life member of the Saints Football Club. He played his initial football with the Towns Football Club. The Broome Basketball Association also recognised him with Life Membership and he has been an outstanding role model for young people,” said Cr Campbell.

Mr McKenzie has also performed duties as a Justice of the Peace for more than 20 years and has worked tirelessly through the Pinakarra Aboriginal Counselling Service and the Aboriginal Visitors Scheme for more than 20 years,” he said.

Nominations for the naming of the pavilion at Haynes Oval were submitted over a six week period plus names previously submitted for one of the Broome Recreation and Aquatic Centre Sports Fields were also considered.

The official naming ceremony is expected to take place prior to the grand final game for the West Kimberley Football League’s Lightning Carnival to be held next April. Located on the south-western side of Haynes Oval, the Donnelly McKenzie Pavilion consists of change rooms, toilets and a kiosk area. The building is leased by the Shire of Broome to the West Kimberley Football League.

Detention Basin Gubinge Rd

Yawuru PBC directors and staff talked with Landcorp representatives, landscape architects & engineers about the drainage issues near the intersection of Gubinge Rd and Broome Rd. After some discussion it was agreed that LandCorp will adjust their plans to accommodate Yawuru’s comments and advice for the area including recommendations that certain native trees be kept and replanted in this area.

White Card Course for Yawuru The Department of Environment and Conservation are holding a White Card

Training Course (previous known as a Blue Card) on the 21st December 2010.

The White Card is required to enter & work on construction sites.

If you are a Yawuru Member who requires a White Card for Cultural Heritages

Clearances or for work purposes you are encouraged to apply. There are 4

positions available to Yawuru registered members. If you interested in doing the

course please call the Yawuru office on 9192 5155. Please be aware that there

are ONLY 4 positions available and closing date is the 15th December 2010

Yawuru Family Christmas BBQ Wednesday

22nd December 2010

Town Beach Park

4pm –6.30pm

Live Music

from David Pigram & others

Special visit from Santa

This is an Alcohol Free BBQ

Please call Theresa or Sandy

on 9192 5155 at the Yawuru Office with your

RSVP by Monday 20th December

Yawuru Nganka Language Classes

Yawuru Members

If you have moved or changed your address in

the last 12 months please contact the Yawuru Office on

9192 5155 to update your details and receive notices of meetings, newsletters and other information

Mark Manolis, Gordon Dickson

& Kim Mamid

Elizika & Beaukean Puertollano

Fabian Nasir & Madge Yau

Dianne Appleby

Yawuru Nganka

Language Classes

6pm

Thursday Evenings

at St Mary’s College

Primary School

Dakas Street for more details and to

confirm a class has not been

cancel for any reason please

contact the Yawuru Office

on 9192 5155

Michelle & Micklo Corpus at AGM

Cissy & Junie Djiagween

Mary & Waran Tarran at AGM

McCarron Family at AGM \

Elsta Foy, Joanne Nasir Michael Manolis & Marica Doyle

Yawuru Family Christmas BBQ

Page 2 - Yawuru PBC Newsletter Issue 04 December 2010

Yawuru PBC Newsletter Issue 04 December 2010 - Page 5

Briefing for Cultural Mapping Trip to Thangoo

Yawuru

Culture & Heritage

Sub- Committee

Meeting

Wednesday

14th December 2010

9am – 2pm Kimberley Institute

7 Barker St Broome

Please call Dean Mathews for more details 9192 5155

Yawuru Use-and Occupancy Map Survey

Page 4 - Yawuru PBC Newsletter Issue 04 December 2010

Use-and-occupancy mapping (UOM) is a scientific method used to show how Aboriginal people use

the natural resources of their Country. UOM was invented by indigenous people in north Canada 40

years ago to prepare their land claims.

The method focuses on the connection to Country of people who are alive today. Each person

interviewed indicates their sites on their own set of maps, and nobody else gets to see their maps

without their permission. A critically important part of this research is that all of the information

produced remains the intellectual property of individuals that participate.

Nyamba Buru Yawuru with assistance from EcoTrust Australia invited Terry Tobias from Canada

and Neil Ward from Victoria to come to Broome and talk to Yawuru people about undertaking a

UOM project in Yawuru Country. They came to Broome in November and had very constructive

discussions and workshops about how the cultural mapping project could take place in Yawuru

Country.

Terry has been assisting Aboriginal communities in Canada with their use-and-occupancy research

for 30 years and is the author of the first reference text book on UOM titled “Living Proof”. Neil has

been working alongside Aboriginal communities in the Murray-Darling Basin to introduce UOM to

Australia over the past five years.

In their research-design workshops, Terry and Neil worked for several days with Gordon Dixon,

Francis Djiagween, Junie Djiagween, Philip Dolby, Jimmy Edgar, Susan Edgar, Martha Lee, Madge

Yau and Sarah Yu. These workshops were organised by and Dean Mathews with back-up support

from Micklo Corpus and Ian Gilbert.

This design work determined the primary objectives of the project;

why the Yawuru are undertaking this work and what they hope to achieve

who will be involved – the type of people to be interviewed

how far back in people’s memories will activities be mapped

which part of Yawuru Country will be mapped

types of activities to be mapped, for example, which animals are killed for eating, plants

used for medicine or where people have camped.

Terry and Neil advised NBY that this high class use-and-occupancy research will show the

extraordinary richness and strength of Yawuru people’s connection to Country and help Yawuru

make sound decisions about managing their Country. It will be a very powerful tool for Yawuru

people to use in negotiations with the shire, government and industry particularly when there is

increasing development pressure on Yawuru Country. While the UOM project will apply to all

Yawuru Country, it will be useful in developing the joint management plan for the proposed Yawuru

coastal park and Roebuck Bay Marine Park.

The next steps are for Ecotrust to work with NBY to raise the funds for the project. If this is

successful, then Terry and Neil will come back to Broome in late January 2011 to test the survey

questionnaire and the specially designed base maps. Terry and Neil will then return to Broome with

other mapping experts in April and May 2011 and carry out the main part of the cultural mapping

work - interviews with 100 to 150 Yawuru people.

After their visits to Broome in November Terry and Neil are up-beat and believe that Yawuru are on

track to produce the most striking and impressive set of use-and-occupancy maps ever made.

Nyamba Buru Yawuru Office Will be Closed over Christmas from

Friday 24th Dec 2010 and reopening

on Monday 3rd Jan 2011.

From all the Directors of NBY & PBC Boards, CEO and staff

We would like to wish everyone a very Happy Christmas

and a Prosperous New Year

The first Yawuru Prescribed Body Corporate AGM since the negotiation of the

Yawuru Native Title Global Agreement was held on the 25th November 2010 at

the BRAC Centre in Broome. The attendance was very pleasing with 69 members

attending with some members travelling from Darwin, Uluru and Perth.

This year’s AGM was an Election year for Law Bosses, Board of Directors and

Yawuru Representatives. Before the AGM opened the Law Bosses gathered to

decide amongst themselves who will stand as a Yawuru PBC Director for the next

2 years. The Law Bosses decision saw Francis (Lulga) Djiagween, Neil (Neilo)

McKenzie, Thomas (Unda) Edgar and Patrick Dodson accepting their positions.

For the 6 elected positions on the Yawuru PBC Board of Directors, There were 6

nominations received, therefore there was no need for a vote. The new Board of

Directors for 2010 are Debra Pigram, Michael (Micklo) Corpus and Gordon

Williams all serving a two term expiring 2012, Mark Manolis, Phillip Matsumoto

and Frank Parriman will serve a one year term expiring at the end of the next

AGM 2011.

Yawuru Representatives for KLC (Kimberley Land Council), KALACC (Kimberley

Aboriginal Law and Cultural Centre) & KLAC (Kimberley Language Resource

Centre) were also elected. To become a Yawuru Representative you had to be

present on the day to accept your nomination and the position. The Yawuru

Delegates for 2010 for the three regional bodies are; KLC -Darren Puertollano and

Gordon Williams; KLRC - Zita Corpus & Arnold Smith; and Francis (Lulga)

Djiagween for KALACC. Congratulations to all the elected Directors & Yawuru

Representatives.

AGM Nov 2010

AGM Nov 2010

AGM Nov 2010

Francis (Lulga) Djiagween

Gordon Williams & Sandy Derschow

Yawuru PBC Annual General Meeting

Yawuru PBC Newsletter Issue 04 December 2010 - Page 3