Heritage

During the reporting period, requests to YMAC’s Heritage unit for surveys and monitoring projects rose exponentially. Projects that had been postponed due to COVID-19 precautions were reactivated, and the relative safety of WA made it an attractive place for mining investment. To accommodate this increased demand, the unit welcomed two new archaeologists to the team. Due to ongoing concerns related to COVID-19, the Heritage team also worked with Traditional Owners and consultants to ensure everyone’s health and safety while they were out on-Country. In total, YMAC coordinated 84 survey and monitoring trips during this financial year. Of these, 16 were conducted by in-house staff accompanied by Traditional Owners; the remainder were undertaken by external consultants in attendance with Traditional Owners.

Key Highlights

Nanda - Murchison Station

Working with Nanda Traditional Owners, YMAC conducted a heritage survey at Murchison Station, where a renewable energy company plans to install two temporary meteorological masts to collect information about the wind and solar resources within Nanda Country. This work has allowed a promising sustainable business to conduct investigations and potentially operate in the Murchison subregion.

Baiyungu Cultural Awareness

In May 2021, members of the Heritage team were given the opportunity to be involved in Cultural Awareness training provided by Aboriginal YMAC staff and Baiyungu Traditional Owners in Exmouth. Highlights of the training included the wonderful Welcome to Country by Hazel Walgar in Cape Range National Park, going on a walk alongside Yardie Creek, and learning and discussing the history and stories of the area. The Heritage team, who ordinarily coordinate surveys for small specific projects, acknowledged the value of gaining a holistic view of the area through the lens of cultural knowledge.

Ngarlawangga Country

The Heritage team received training in the social surrounds approach to protecting Country and cultural heritage and has been investigating ways this could be incorporated into studies prior to mining and other projects. During the reporting period, YMAC’s Heritage and Research teams were engaged by Ngarlawangga Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC to undertake social surroundings fieldwork for Rio Tinto’s Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) application. Staff spent a week in the field with members of the Ngarlawangga community, discussing important cultural sites, plants and animals, and the impact of mining to their Country. These discussions were valuable and informative, and provided the community with the opportunity to discuss important matters openly with the proponent.

National Native Title Conference

In June, a Heritage team representative attended the National Native Title Conference in Adelaide, alongside other YMAC delegates. The conference presented a wonderful opportunity to gain knowledge of native title matters from around Australia, with highlights including a cultural tour with the local Kaurna Traditional Owners, an ethics workshop with AIATSIS, and many discussions about the importance of community-led consultation and research.