PILBARA CUSTODIANS PRESENT CALLS TO ACTION AT YULE RIVER MEETING

Yule River Meeting 2023. Credit: Ngaarda Media.

Aboriginal people from across the Pilbara presented advice to government representatives at the annual Yule River On-Country meeting on Thursday.

State and federal Aboriginal Affairs Ministers Tony Buti and Linda Burney were both in attendance.

A delegated working group had prepared draft call to action statements on topics like systemic reform, education, health, and community safety.

Those statements were refined by the meeting on Wednesday before being presented publicly on Thursday.

Banjima man and working group member Ashley Councillor said housing was a key area for governments to address.

“We know that stock exists,” he said.

“We’re told that stock is not available.

“We are given houses that are broken down and expected to live in them.

“The maintenance of those properties is not kept up to date, and so we are battling. We’re living in third-world environments.”

Nyamal Elder Doris Eaton told the meeting governments should fund a centre in Port Hedland to house a regional Voice for Aboriginal people.

“We want a hub for our Voice, right in the centre of the Pilbara,” she said.

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