#Human Rights
Target:
YMAC, Hon Mark McGowan Premier of WA, Hon Ben Wyatt, Senator Nigel Scullion
Region:
Australia

A critical Authorisation Meeting has been scheduled by Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation for the Thiin-Mah Warriyangka Tharrkari Jiwarli Claim Group for Thursday 9th October 2017.

I am a named Applicant for the TMWTJ Claim Group and represent Thiin-Mah Warriyangka People. This meeting was meant to be scheduled for a Saturday to ensure that a greater number of members could attend.

This meeting has been scheduled for a Thursday in Carnarvon to suit the Mining Company in which we have been negotiating with in relation to mining on Thin-Mah Warriyangka country.

A large number of Thiin-Mah Warriyangka People can not attend a meeting on a Thursday for the following reasons:

1. For many it would require taking 3 full days off work/TAFE/uni to attend. (Wednesday travel, Thursday meeting, Friday travel).

2. For many it would require taking children 3 full days out of school to be able to attend the meeting in Carnarvon.

3. For many it would mean risk of losing their employment or financial income if they were to attend the meeting (with the days for travel and the meeting included).

Authorisation Meetings are meant to be funded by YMAC and very effort made to ensure they will maximise traditional owner attendance and engagement. At no time should they be influenced by a mining companies interest at the detriment of traditional owners.

Please, see that YMAC reschedule this meeting to ensure greater engagement with Thiin-Mah Warriyangka People who now risk decisions being made for their country without their input or agreement.

We, the undersigned, call on YMAC to change the date of the Thiin-Mah Warriyangka Tharrkari Jiwarli Claim Group Authorisation Meeting on Thursday 9th November 2017 in Carnarvon a Saturday meeting to enable a greater number of TMW people to be able to attend, engage in and decide on matters relating to their traditional country.

We seek the support from the Senator Nigel Scullion, Hon Mark McGowan and Hon Ben Wyatt to encourage YMAC to change the date as requested by traditional owners and to not engage in actions that disable traditional owners engagement due to prioritisation of mining company interests and money.

We ask that you do this in good faith and to uphold your responsibilities as our Native Title Representative Body.

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The Make YMAC change the TMWTJ Authorisation Meeting petition to YMAC, Hon Mark McGowan Premier of WA, Hon Ben Wyatt, Senator Nigel Scullion was written by Heidi Mippy and is in the category Human Rights at GoPetition.