Ben Cuimermara Taylor facts for kids
Benedict "Ben" Taylor, also known as Cuimara, is an important Noongar elder from the south-west of Western Australia. He was born on October 15, 1940. Ben Taylor is well-known for being an Indigenous activist. This means he works hard to support and protect the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
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Early Life
Growing Up in Western Australia
Ben Taylor grew up in a place called Walebing. This town is close to New Norcia in Western Australia. His mother, Queenie Harris, was born in 1906. His father, Rosendo "Andy" Taylor, was born in 1903. Andy was from Yued country.
Ben's parents met at the Moore River Native Settlement. They later got married at the Catholic Church in New Norcia. This happened on March 9, 1926.
Important Work and Achievements
Helping the Indigenous Community
Ben Taylor has done many important things to help Indigenous people in Western Australia. In 2013, he became a Member of the Order of Australia. This award recognized his great service to the Indigenous community. He helped with many social justice and human rights issues.
Working for Noongar Native Title
In 2006, Ben was involved in a big achievement. He helped the Noongar people gain recognition for their Native Title rights. This means their traditional ownership of land in south-west Western Australia was officially recognized.
Supporting Justice and Community
Ben Taylor has also held many important roles. He was a Co-Chair of the Deaths in Custody Watch Committee (WA) from 2009 to 2010. This group works to ensure fair treatment for Indigenous people in legal systems. He is also a Life Member of this committee.
He has been a Board Member and Justice Reinvestment Ambassador. Since 2011, he has been a Committee Member for the HALO Leadership Development Agency. He also represents the Deaths in Custody Watch Committee on the Community Justice Coalition of Western Australia.
Pastoral Care and Community Service
From 1981 to 1999, Ben worked as a Pastoral Care Assistant. He helped the Chaplain at the Aboriginal Catholic Ministry. In this role, he provided support at many hospitals. These included Royal Perth Hospital, Shenton Park Hospital, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Princess Margaret Hospital, and the King Edward Memorial Hospital.
In 1979, he was a Committee Member for the Kulilla Aboriginal Service. He helped to set up this service. He also helped establish the Wandering Mission Dry Out Centre. Since 2008, he has been a Member of the Aboriginal Reference Group for Anglicare WA.
Advisor and Elder Representative
Ben Taylor is a current Adviser on Noongar protocols. He advises the Anglican Archbishop of Perth. In 2001, he was a Noongar Elder Representative for the Western Australian Coalition Against Racism.
In 2002, he traveled to the USA. He went with Aboriginal Masters students from the Centre for Aboriginal Studies at Curtin University of Technology. They visited the Fondu Lac Reservation in Minnesota and the Redcliffe Reservation in Wisconsin. Since 1999, he has been a Member of the Noongar Council of Elders.
Awards and Recognition
In 2011, Ben Taylor was recognized as a Western Australian Ambassador for White Ribbon Day. This shows his dedication to important social causes.
