THIS WEEK IN ROEBOURNE, THE FEDERAL COURT HEARD EVIDENCE TO DETERMINE HOW MUCH COMPENSATION FMG OWES THE YINDJIBARNDI PEOPLE

BY CONRAD MACLEAN

Yindjibarndi witness Lorraine Coppin and YAC CEO Michael Woodley. Credit: Juluwarlu.

A landmark court case between Yindjibarndi Traditional Owners and Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) kicked off on Monday.

Lawyers for the Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation (YAC) and FMG packed into 50 Cent Hall in Roebourne for the start of the court case. 

YAC says FMG conducted mining operations on traditional lands without adequate permission. 

YAC is seeking more than $500 million in compensation from FMG over their operations at the Solomon Hub iron ore mine.

On Wednesday, the court heard testimony from Yindjibarndi elder Lyn Cheedy, who said she was hurt, and angry that her people hadn’t been asked by FMG for permission to mine on their lands.

Yindjibarndi woman Esther Guiness testified on Thursday. 

Ms Guiness said the Yindjibarndi community had been divided between families who supported YAC and others who were part of a breakaway group supported by FMG. She said it made her sad.

Ms Guiness said she had worked at FMG’s Solomon Hub, but that she had been forced to quit, because she had been visited by angry spirits. 

Ms Guiness said the spirits were upset, because their homes had been destroyed by FMG’s mining activity.

Lorraine Coppin testified on Friday and said the split amongst the Yindjibarndi was “the first time I saw my people divided.”

Next week, the court will travel to Yindjibarndi ngurra, where the hearing will continue.