Indigenous

An Aboriginal group that gets most of its funding from BHP Nickel West has launched a Federal Court claim it says will guide compensation negotiations with native title holders across the country.

The Committee for Perth has renewed its push for a world-class centre for indigenous culture as part of a two-year action plan to boost the city’s international reputation. Another key recommendation was to establish Perth as a renewable energy leader.

BHP said today it would not disturb 40 Aboriginal heritage sites in the Pilbara until it has consulted with the native title holders, just weeks after gaining government approval to clear the sites.

Aboriginal-owned business Mallard Deemy has secured $11 million in contracts with Fortescue Metals Group for work at the Eliwana iron ore mine in the Pilbara.

Rio Tinto has committed to review its indigenous heritage approach and its plans in the Juukan area, near the Brockman mine, after the destruction of an ancient rock cave provoked national outrage; while community representatives have described their efforts leading up to the blast.

Department of Finance director general Jodi Cant has been recognised for her work in government, winning the Telstra Business Woman of the Year award for WA.

ICT company Data#3, ENGIE Services and five WA companies providing Aboriginal heritage and archaeological support services have been awarded contracts by the Public Transport Authority of WA.

Curtin University has awarded a fire services maintenance contract to ARA Indigenous Services, a business established by former AFL player Michael O’Loughlin.

Former AFL footballer and Wirrpanda Foundation executive Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls is off to a flying start in the business sector, after establishing Oaks Civil Construction and buying a traffic management business in Geraldton.

A new services hub backed by the Wirrpanda Foundation and $10 million of government funding aims to fill market gaps for indigenous businesses.

A joint venture between diversified engineering consultancy Calibre Group and indigenous company Tocomwall has been contracted by the state government to develop a monitoring program for the Aboriginal rock art on Murujuga (Burrup Peninsula).

The Yamatji Indigenous community has celebrated a landmark economic package and native title recognition for more than 100,000 hectares of land in Western Australia’s Mid West.

Western Australia’s unique indigenous rock art in the Pilbara is set for a UNESCO World Heritage listing, with the state and federal governments formally submitting an application for the recognition and protection today.

WA’s newest cultural drawcard is set to showcase the state’s unique heritage on a world stage.

Gerard Matera is helping turn positive sentiment around Aboriginal reconciliation in the business community into genuine change through indigenous-owned building company Marawar.

The state government awarded 4.77 per cent of its contracts to Aboriginal businesses in the 2018-19 financial year, substantially exceeding its own target, although the contribution of government agencies was highly variable.

Indigenous skincare business Jummi Factory has gained financial backing from Minderoo Foundation after receiving top prize at the inaugural Dream Summit in Sydney last week.

Small indigenous business Gebro Contracting, which has worked with Main Roads and Georgiou Group, has entered administration.

Main Roads Western Australia chief executive Peter Woronzow is embracing the unique opportunity for community development that comes with managing one of the world’s biggest road networks.

A 50-50 joint venture between Cape and Aboriginal business Kurtarra has announced it secured an optical fibre contract with Rio Tinto.

Twelve big companies have pledged to lift their indigenous procurement to 3 per cent of their annual spend, seeking to match targets the federal and state governments have already set for their own agencies.

Three Aboriginal businesses based in Western Australia, including IPS Management Consultants, have been awarded contracts totalling $1.5 million to help other Aboriginal organisations build capability and win additional commercial work.

Aboriginal-owned Redspear Safety and UK-based Safehouse launched new business called Safespear on Tuesday night, a safety services company chaired by Redspear’s Barry McGuire.

Local Aboriginal leaders hope WA can match the success of the federal government’s indigenous procurement policy.

SPECIAL REPORT: Clontarf Foundation, The Graham (Polly) Farmer Foundation, The Girls Academy, and Glass Jar Australia.

SPECIAL REPORT: Carol Innes is heartened by the positive steps already taken towards reconciliation, despite the enormous amount of ground still to be covered.

SPECIAL REPORT: Barry McGuire says Redspear Safety’s recent emergence has been built on tailoring its offering to what customers need.

SPECIAL REPORT: Reconciliation Action Plans are used by hundreds of organisations across Australia to deliver better outcomes. Click through to our Indigenous Development feature.

SPECIAL REPORT: Len Collard has embraced his destiny to educate a broad audience about Noongar culture and history.

SPECIAL REPORT: Ken Wyatt has overcome numerous challenges on the path to becoming the most powerful advocate for Aboriginal Australians.

SPECIAL REPORT: Helen Milroy believes courage, effort, and collaboration are needed to help heal intergenerational trauma suffered by indigenous Australians.

SPECIAL REPORT: Among her many talents, Glenda Kickett is drawing on her sports experience to boost school attendance rates for indigenous girls.