Thanharru,
We wish to inform you of a minor adjustment to the funeral for Mr. M. Parker.
The car procession will commence at 8:30AM from 2nd Avenue, Onslow, followed by the cemetery service at 9AM.
Read more …MR M PARKER FUNERAL UPDATE
Elections are currently in progress for the BHP Implementation Committee (IC), Rio Tinto Implementation Committee (RIC), and the Rio Tinto Local Implementation Committee (LIC). Members can expect to receive their ballot forms, containing a list of nominees for each committee, in early January.
Members are requested to fill out the ballot form and
the accompanying declaration slip. The completed forms should be promptly returned to the independent returning officer via the provided pre-paid envelope. Please note, that this is a confidential process, and BNTAC staff will not know who you voted for.
For more detailed information on each committee, please refer to the attached documentation:
The deadline for submitting voting slips is set for Friday, February 9, 2024. It is crucial for members to plan accordingly, allowing sufficient time for Australia Post to deliver the ballots.
We thank you all for your participation during this process. Please contact
Read more …IC, LIC and RIC Elections
Read more …BNTAC Newsletter - November 2023
When: Saturday, 16 November 2024
Location: Red Earth Arts Precinct
Banjima Native Title Aboriginal Corporation hereby gives notice, pursuant to Rule 8.1.1 of the BNTAC Rule Book to all BNTAC Members that the Annual General Meeting of the Corporation will be held on Saturday, 16 November 2024.
The 2024 BNTAC AGM will be an in-person meeting only and will be located at the Red Earth Arts Precinct in Karratha.
For any questions prior to the AGM we encourage members to reach out to BNTAC via our dedicated email
The BNTAC Annual General Meeting is to be held on Saturday, 16 November 2024.
A B1 Banjima Direct Benefits Trust Community Meeting is scheduled on Thursday, 14th November and a Banjima Charitable Trust Community Meeting is scheduled on Friday 15th November 2024. Please refer to the Trustee’s meeting notice for more information.
This year’s AGM will be held at the Red Earth Arts Precinct (27 Welcome Road, Karratha Western Australia 6714).
Registrations open at 8.30 am for a 9:30 am start time. The meeting is scheduled to conclude at 4.30 pm.
This year's AGM is an in-person event only.
BNTAC AGM sitting fee is $400. On arrival at the meeting, Members must check-in at the BNTAC registration desk to meet AGM registration requirements, and to qualify for meeting attendance fees. Registrations after 11am will receive a half-day sitting payment.
BNTAC Members are the only people permitted in the meeting, however, we have created a family-friendly environment with a separate activities area for children. Please note that parents are responsible for the safety and care of their children at all times.
Unfortunately, BNTAC cannot pay expenses in advance of the meeting. BNTAC can only make payments based on attendance at the meeting and production of legitimate receipts.
Members who cannot attend in person have the right to appoint a Proxy. If you would like to appoint a Proxy, please fill out the attached Appointment of Proxy form and return it to BNTAC 48 hours (9 am Thursday 14 November) before the beginning of the meeting by emailing
Noting:
a) A proxy vote may not be given to a person who is not a member of the Corporation.
b) A Member can only carry a proxy for maximum of 3 non-attending Members.
c) You may not appoint a proxy if you are attending the meeting.
Read more …BNTAC AGM Information
Hearing from May it is clear that her elders have had a profound influence on her growing up. When asking her what the NAIDOC theme "For Our Elders" means to her, May recalled how her elders serve as the spokespeople for their bajarli (clan). To her, being an elder and a spokesperson is not an exclusive position, but rather a cycle in which younger individuals will eventually step into the role when they become elders themselves. When reflecting on the influence of her elders May reflects: “My elders were kind compassionate and had empathy were forthright and was strong cultural people.”
Growing up in Onslow on the old reserve, May's childhood was filled with memorable moments, including watching the construction of her family's house whilst living in a tent. As well as life on pastoral stations. When asked about her connection to Country, May shares, "I live on country and am always teaching my family. We all learn at a young age how our old people cooked bush tucker. My dad had very old ways and used to cook the kangaroo whole with hot stones in the stomach under the hot embers under the ground." Reflecting on her role as an elder, May emphasizes the value of "RESPECT" as the most important lesson to impart to the next generation.
Amid the many stories shared by her Banjima elders, one narrative holds particular significance—the tale of the crow and the eagle. “My mum use to tell the story of crow and eagle a creation story about kinship system/punishment story if wrong garltharda (skin group marry) mum did this story in Banjima and I translated for her.”
Throughout the years, May has witnessed significant changes in her community. The introduction of Native Title brought both chaos and acknowledgment as proud Aboriginal people. May firmly believes that traditional knowledge and practices continue to play a crucial role in modern life. Aboriginal communities still rely on bush medicines and bush tucker, demonstrating the ongoing relevance and effectiveness of these practices in our world today.
May passionately emphasizes a crucial message she ardently advocates for—learning one's language. She even shares a few commonly mistranslated words, for us all to keep in mind:
Marada: Is first born (from the mum)
Mulharda: Is all children in the middle
Nidinghu: Is the last born child Be sure not to say Niyidi for last born child
Niyidi: Is mother-in-law/son-in-law (a very strict avoidance relationship).
Read more …We Interview Banjima Elder May Byrne