State Government hands two Mid West Aboriginal organisations a share of $16.5m to boost employment

Two Aboriginal corporations in the Mid West have received a share in $16.5 million dollars to help manage country and protect the environment as part of the State Government’s Aboriginal Ranger Program. Round eight of the program has awarded 12 projects across the State funding to support activities such as research, knowledge transfer and management of cultural sites. Two Mid West Aboriginal organisations will benefit, using their allocation to support employing and training Aboriginal people as rangers on country. Yugunga-Nya Native Title Aboriginal Corporation (YN PBC) received $1,341,460 for the Yugunga-Nya Aboriginal ranger tourism program. Covering Mid West and Murchison regions, including Meekatharra and Cue, the corporation focuses on programs that protect native law and culture, and protect country and significant sites. The Murchison’s Wajarri Yamaji Aboriginal Corporation (WYAC) received $521,384 for the Wajarri Yamaji junior ranger pilot program. The corporation invests in programs to facilitate community and pursue opportunity for the Wajarri Yamaji people. Since the program was launched in 2017, the State Government has shared $100m in funding, which has created 1400 jobs for Aboriginal people. Environment Minister Reece Whitby said research showed every $1 invested in the Aboriginal Ranger Program equated to $3 of social, economic, cultural and environmental value. Aboriginal Affairs Minister Tony Buti said the program contributed to the social and economic prosperity of Aboriginal communities. “We continue to see these grants achieving practical outcomes right across Western Australia,” he said.