Yamatji facts for kids

Yamatji (or Yamaji) is a word from the Wajarri language. It has a few different meanings:

• It can mean a person from the Watjarri people.
• It can mean any Aboriginal Australian person from the Murchison area in Western Australia.
• It can also mean a group made up of different Indigenous Australian peoples, like a Native Title group.

People who are not Watjarri but are from the Murchison region also use the word Yamatji. They use it to describe any Aboriginal person born in that area.

The Yamatji peoples have been involved in a big native title claim since 1996. This led to a very important decision in February 2020. It included both native title and an Indigenous land use agreement. This agreement covers a huge area of about 48,000 square kilometres.

Protecting Yamatji Lands

The Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation (often called YMAC) is a group that helps Yamatji and Marlpa people in Western Australia. Their main job is to protect and promote the land rights of these Indigenous groups. YMAC works to make sure that native title is recognised.

YMAC has had several leaders over the years. The current CEO is Simon Hawkins, who has been in the role since 2003. The co-chairs are Peter Windie (representing Yamatji) and Natalie Parker (representing Pilbara).

Making a Claim for Land Rights

By 2017, the Yamatji people had made two important claims for native title in the Geraldton area. One claim was for the Wajarri Yamatji people in 2004. Another claim was made by the Southern Yamatji in 2017.

The process to claim these land rights started way back in 1996. Many different groups made claims that sometimes overlapped. In 2016, a court helped these groups talk and solve their differences. This led to talks with the Western Australian Government. In 2019, over 1,000 people from four different groups came together. They formed the Yamatji Nation Southern Regional Agreement. This agreement brought together the claims of the Southern Yamatji, Hutt River, Mullewa Wadjari, and Widi Mob groups.

After two years of hard work and discussions, a big decision was made on 7 February 2020. The Yamatji Nation was given both native title recognition and a special package worth $450 million. This was for an area of almost 48,000 square kilometres. This land stretches from Kalbarri in the north, east to Yalgoo, and south to Dalwallinu. About 9,000 traditional owners are part of this claim.

This was a historic moment for Australia. It was the first time that both native title recognition and an Indigenous land use agreement were decided at the same time. This decision was very important for the Yamatji people. It helped them get back rights to lands they had been separated from for a long time.

Because of this decision, the Yamatji Nation now has special rights over parts of certain areas. These include parts of former Barnong, Menai Hills, and Kadji Kadji pastoral leases. They also include land near Wanda Nature Reserve, Lucky Bay, and Aboriginal Lands Trust areas in Carnamah, Kadathini, and Eneabba. These rights do not mean they control who can access the land. However, they can use the land for things like hunting and camping. A new conservation area will also be created. It will be managed together with the traditional owners. This will help them care for their land. It will also create opportunities for Indigenous ranger programs in the region.

Ken Wyatt, who was the Minister for Indigenous Australians, said this decision was very important. He explained that it gives traditional owners a voice in decisions about their future. They can now help plan and design what happens next.

Boolardy Station and the Radio Telescope

Boolardy Station is where the Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory (MRO) is located. This area is on the traditional lands of the Wajarri people. The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) have been working with a group of Wajarri Yamatji people. This is to make sure that the different radio telescope projects at the MRO can go ahead.

For several years, talks have been happening to create an Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA). This agreement is between the Wajarri people and the CSIRO. The federal Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources has helped guide these talks.

About 15 traditional owners are involved in these discussions. They represent different groups. It is a challenge to build the telescope structures while respecting the cultural importance of the area. They also want to cause as little disturbance as possible to the land. Surveys of important heritage sites have been done. The work and talks were a bit slowed down by the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia.

Notable Yamatji People

Many Yamatji people have become well-known in different fields:

• Mark Atkins, a talented musician.
• Ernie Dingo, a famous actor.
• Emma Donovan, a popular musician.
• Sue Gordon, a respected elder.
• Gnarnyarrhe Inmurray Waitairie, a musician, actor, and champion rodeo rider. He also teaches.
• David Ngoombujarra, an actor.
• Ben Wyatt, a politician.
• Ken Wyatt, the first Indigenous person to be a member of the Australian House of Representatives. He has Yamatji, Wongi, Noongar, and Irish family.
• Laurie Bellotti.
• Tanya Oxtoby, the first Indigenous captain in the Westfield W-League and a football manager.
• Kevin Taylor, a former AFL player.
• Frank Mallard, a WA Senior Australian of the Year in 2019, a serviceman, and an elder.