First Nations students set to raise concerns and issues affecting youth at the Yamatji On-Country meeting

Young leaders will return to the Yamatji On-Country meeting this year to present their concerns to the community and bring attention to the issues affecting First Nations youth. Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation (YMAC) will host the annual meeting on Wednesday and Thursday next week at Bundiyarra Aboriginal Community Aboriginal Corporation (BACAC), located on Eastward Road. The two-day event aims to bring the community together, forging a strong regional voice to drive change for First Nations people in the region. This year focuses on progressing the 2022 and 2023 calls to action, further discussing what is impacting Aboriginal people in the community and identifying priority actions for government. The 2023 call to action sought support for self-determined and place-based governance on solutions for First Nations people in the Mid West, Gascoyne and Murchison, and sought for the State Government to report annually against the call to action so the community can measure progress. It identified priority areas in need of action, including racism, housing and accommodation, police and justice, education, employment, training and economic development, and health and wellbeing. YMAC co-chair for the Yamatji region Peter Windie said the Government was yet to respond to last year’s call to action. “Last year Premier Roger Cook promised us a whole government response to the 2023 call to action,” he said. “We have not yet received a formal response and are very keen to hear from the Government’s representatives attending this year that confirms their commitment to working with us and explaining what action they have taken specific to progressing the call to action from the Government’s perspective.” First Nations students will share priority solutions with the community again this year, which Mr Windie said could help bring attention to improving local youth issues. “The youth in our communities are our future. Supporting and listening to their ideas and solutions will help them be best placed to lead us when we are no longer here,” he said. Aboriginal Affairs Minister Tony Buti, Opposition Leader Shane Love and Geraldton MLA Lara Dalton will attend, as well as WA Commissioner for Children and Young People WA Jacqueline McGowan-Jones. A bush tucker lunch will be provided on both days, as well was a community breakfast from 8am on Thursday.