Yindjibarndu want solution to FMG Debacle
A statement from Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation (YAC) in response to revelations by another whistleblower, Yindjibarndi Elder Bruce Woodley, Chairman of the Wirlu-Murra Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation (WMYAC), regarding FMG interference in, and manipulation of Yindjibarndi native title affairs.
DOWNLOAD YAC Statement: 121129 Yindjibarndi want solution to FMG Debacle
YINDJIBARNDI WANT SOLUTION TO FMG DEBACLE
Yindjibarndi Elder Bruce Woodley joins Sue Singleton, Brad Goode and Kerry Savas in telling the ‘inconvenient’ truth about Fortescue’s (FMG) behind-the-scenes tactics to divide Yindjibarndi society and destroy our culture. We thank him for his courage, as we do the others, and all those who might follow. We especially hope that Bruce’s peers at the Wirlu-murra Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation (WMYAC) take heart from his lead in trying to bring our people together to achieve an outcome that benefits us all.
What Bruce Woodley revealed yesterday about FMG’s manipulation and duping of the Wirlu-murra splinter group, which Fortescue helped set up and continues to fund, is not news to the Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation (YAC). FMG has done everything it can to avoid dealing with the lawful representative institution that was appointed by the Federal Court, and is elected by the Yindjibarndi People, to take care of the native title rights and interests of the Yindjibarndi People.
What is shocking to YAC is that neither the Federal nor State Governments have seen fit to inquire into this disgraceful state of affairs. If FMG attempted to side-step a lawfully elected representative institution of the Australian people, because it believed it knew what was best, there would be hell to pay. The same standard should apply to the lawfully elected representative institution of Yindjibarndi society.
Instead, FMG is allowed to engage in an ongoing abuse of process, making a mockery of both the Native Title Act, and the Aboriginal Heritage Act; they drag us through litigation in the names of two Yindjibarndi ladies under FMG’s control; sap our meagre resources and divert our energies from urgent work in our impoverished community – and all the while steam ahead with the destruction of our sacred sites.
Bruce Woodley’s courage in standing up against FMG’s native title and heritage ‘managers’ and their paid WMYAC agents, Michael Gallagher and Bruce Thomas, is inspiring; and YAC sincerely hopes this will lead to a breakthrough that will bring some relief to our people.
We must now wait to see if anyone in either our State or Federal Government is courageous enough to do something about this.
The Native Title Act was intended to rectify past injustices and secure a respectful position in Australian society for the first nations of this country. YAC’s experience with FMG shows how it has failed to deliver. What YAC asks for is simple. We want the governments, Commonwealth and State, to conduct an inquiry into the actions of FMG and its agents and deliver justice for the Yindjibarndi People.
In closing, YAC asks everyone witnessing these unfolding events, to remember a few basic points:
- Unlike WMYAC, formed in December 2010, the Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation came into existence in March 2004 as a direct result of the Federal Court’s recognition that the Yindjibarndi People are – and have remained, since before the assertion of British sovereignty in 1829 – a society of people living under a distinct system of law, which governs their rights and interests in Yindjibarndi country.
- The Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation is the lawful representative institution of the Yindjibarndi People, appointed by the Federal Court and elected by the Yindjibarndi People to hold and manage our native title rights and interests, which includes our right to protect heritage sites.
- When FMG side-stepped the Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation and negotiated an agreement with WMYAC – an agreement that severely affects the rights and interests of the Yindjibarndi People but provides no compensation for doing so – FMG knew full well that YAC was both the lawfully appointed agent for the Applicant in the Yindjibarndi #1 claim (which includes the ‘Firetail’ area of FMG’s Solomon Project); and, the lawfully elected representative institution of the Yindjibarndi People. In other words there was no lawful foundation for FMG’s actions.
YAC is well aware of the benefits that will flow to Australian society from the mining of Yindjibarndi country; and we have repeatedly stated that we do not wish to deprive our fellow Australians of those benefits. What we ask for in return is fair compensation to secure our survival as an indigenous people – a distinct society, with our own language, culture and religion; and, a fair opportunity to privately access our sacred sites in the Solomon project area, so that we can create a lasting record of their beauty and the religious ceremonies associated with them, before they are destroyed.
Seems to me that the trouble started when the proud guy wouldn’t bend over for Twiggy and demanded that he pay a “handsome fee” for the destruction, inconvenience and disturbance his mining operation would cause on their land. The proud guy was negotiable, he said so, he went high as Twiggy offered low.. and expected Twiggy to raise his offerTand presto .. I presume around the 2.5% cut. Don’t see why it shouldn’t be 5% myself if the Return on Equity/Return on Assets etc could accomodate it. They are the ones whos land will be moonscaped etc. Twiggy wanted to pay basically nothing. He says he likes khauris…I believe is just forked tongue BS. His actions prove to me he doesn’t give a toss about them. It’s all about him, his company and how big he can make his wallet bulge. I can’t believe no one has stepped in as yet. From the witnesses statements it’s pretty obvious that FMG guilty of skullduggery. Take the mining rights off FMG, give it to the native title owners and let them negotiate with a mining company that wants a win win rather than a I win you lose mining arrangement.
Anyway best of luck ..keep fighting for a fair deal.. ie. don’t get robbed
They do this to us from the day Captain Phillip started it, they divide, smash and take and then they abuse us for uttering a word.
Michael Woodley is the dreaming and the spirits guide him for all of us. My friend Gerry Georgatos is there a tribal warrior helping us all and his friendship and support to me has helped many of our people.
Brother Michael you will win the fight and Nangala and our spirits share their wisdom with your spirits.
The land takes care of those who take care of the land.
Nangala, one of many who walk with you
Legislation needs some bite, the problem is that legislation has let us down.
This good work in the engine room of the Pilbara by all and sundry is good news and maybe something finally will slowly come of things that has so far let us down.
God be with everyone, and yes Gerry has done well, may the Yindjibarndi their long awaited due, with you, Henry
Good work and best wishes for strong and smart from here and let us all give thanks and praise to Gerry Georgatos – because I know him and what he does and I know what has happened to give hope to you all.
Sarina (SA)
And one last thing,
Twiggy Forrest, f*** you!