YINHAWANGKA’S NEW “INSTRUMENT FOR THE CORPORATION”
Photo of Y.A.C.’s new CEO, Kupa Teao (Sourced: Yinhawangka Aboriginal Corporation)
Escaping from the Eastern State of Queensland, Kupa Teao finds new soil to protect the red dirt on Yinhawangka Country.
Yinhawangka Aboriginal Corporation the prescribed body corporate for the Yinhawangka/Innawonga people has entrusted Mr Kupa Teao to be the new Chief Executive Officer, bringing 25 years of experience in management, he previously worked with First Nation people of the Jabalbina Aboriginal Corporation.
(Photo Sourced; Yihnawangka Aboriginal Coporation)
Kupa is First Nation from New Zealand, he is of Cook Island Maori descent sharing the same struggles and experience as Australian First Nation. As an indigenous man, he sees the world through a similar lens as the people he now represents, allowing him to connect and understand deeper about the lifestyle, heritage, and culture of the Yinhawangka people.
During his tenure working at the Jabalbina Aboriginal Corporation supporting the Kuku Yalanji people, he impacted the corporation and its membership greatly. As CEO of the PBC, Mr Teao assisted with the growth of the ranger program, with help from the traditional owners created a cultural awareness training program delivered by members to all entities wishing to enter their national parks.
“We set up the cultural awareness training, therefore anyone going on country, government, or private business is obligated to undertake the cultural awareness training.”
More success for the Jabalabina Aboriginal Corporation was the result of Kupa’s hard work, negotiating terms with the government on behalf of the Kuku Yalanji people to return traditional lands to its rightful custodians. Kupa’s negotiation with landholders was a success for him, the PBC, and the traditional owners, Daintree National Park is now in the hands of its caretakers.
“One of my many successes with (Jabalbina Aboriginal Corporation) was being their negotiator, and working with traditional owners to hand back five national parks to tradition owners from their country”
Kupa has left the green Forest, the wavy beaches, and the cold mist to cover his feet in the red dusty dirt of the Pilbara. He now resides in Paraburdoo to support the Yinhawangka Aboriginal Corporation, YAC staff, and the membership. Kupa has recently become the CEO and is exploring the PBC but has engaged the traditional owners and the board of directors. Kupa is impressed with the nominated board stating;
“It’s a great representation of young and old on the board of directors, these individuals bring necessary skill sets to the board.”
Yinhawangka seem as though they have found the appropriate ‘“instrument” for their corporation, the new CEO is very genuine about his intention with the corporation stating;
“My role is just to complement the programs that are already in place, make sure that all rangers and the management have the support from myself… I’m only the management instrument for the corporation.”
(Photo Sourced; Yihnawangka Aboriginal Coporation)