Jidi Jidi Aboriginal Corporation facts for kids
The Jidi Jidi Aboriginal Corporation helps manage the traditional lands of the Nharnuwangga Wajarri Ngarlawangga People. These are Aboriginal Australian peoples from the Pilbara region in Western Australia. The Corporation was set up under a law called the Native Title Act 1993.
The Nharnuwangga Wajarri Ngarlawangga People were the first group in Western Australia to officially prove their native title rights to their traditional Country. This was a very important step for them.
What is Native Title?
Native title means that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have special rights to their traditional lands and waters. These rights come from their traditional laws and customs.
On August 29, 2000, a court case confirmed these rights. The Federal Court of Australia decided that the Nharnuwangga, Wajarri, and Ngarlawangga peoples held native title. This covered a huge area of about 50,000 square kilometres (about 19,300 square miles). This land is in the Upper Murchison and Upper Gascoyne regions of Western Australia.
The Jidi Jidi Corporation has members from the Yulga Jinna Community in Meekatharra, Western Australia. Michelle Riley, a native title holder, wrote about their experience. Her paper is called Winning Native Title: The experience of the Nharnuwangga, Wajarri and Ngarla People.
Protecting Their Land
Even after winning native title, the Nharnuwangga Wajarri and Ngarlawangga people still face challenges. They feel their Country is being harmed without their input. Linda Riley, an Elder and Chairperson of the Jidi Jidi Aboriginal Corporation, works hard to make sure their heritage is respected.
The Native Title Act allows for special groups called Native Title Prescribed Body Corporates (PBCs). These PBCs hold or manage native title rights for the traditional owners. The Jidi Jidi Aboriginal Corporation is one such PBC.
In 2005, the Jidi Jidi Aboriginal Corporation told the Australian Parliament about their work. They explained how important PBCs are for managing native title.
Challenges and Struggles
Many PBCs, including Jidi Jidi, struggle because they don't have enough money or staff. In 2006, a report said that Jidi Jidi had "no staff, no resources and no income". This makes it hard for them to protect the native title they worked so hard to get.
In 2007, a newspaper article in The Australian talked about agreements between Aboriginal groups, mining companies, and governments. It said that many of these agreements had not helped the Indigenous people much.
The Jidi Jidi Aboriginal Corporation sent letters to 125 mining companies. These companies were exploring on their traditional land. Jidi Jidi told them that exploration could not go ahead if heritage protection rules were not followed. Only five companies had signed agreements at that time. This shows the ongoing struggle to protect their land and heritage.
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