A Turning Point in Australia’s Modern History
Three of the original signatories to the 1997 Yandi Land Use Agreement, Gumala Elders: (left to right) Gordon Yuline, Brian Tucker and David Stock. Image courtesy of Rio Tinto
This month marks the 15 year anniversary of the signing of the groundbreaking Yandi Land Use Agreement (YLUA), which was the first major land use agreement signed in Australia, signed in March 1997. It represented a pivotal turning point in the history between resource companies and Indigenous Australians – a mining company reaching agreement with the Traditional Owners which would enable that company to develop a major mine on the Traditional Owners’ land. That mine, Rio Tinto’s Yandicoogina (Yandi) iron ore development (located about 120 km from Tom Price), has become Australia’s biggest iron ore mine. The YLUA paved the way for a string of other land use agreements in the Pilbara and around Australia, which in turn have resulted in major mine developments and an industry that is both the envy of the world and is also our nation’s economic engine room.
Her legacy will live on in Gumala and in the future generations of Gumala members who are assisted through the Foundation. As a result of the YLUA, the benefits to the Traditional Owners have been significant. Gumala Aboriginal Corporation has strategically developed a suite of programs including Health, Education and Lore & Culture. We also have a range of multi-million dollar projects, covering Community Development, Housing, and Capital Works. We are maintaining a “reformdriven” focus to provide economic, social and community developmental solutions for the Traditional Owners.
The original Signatories (the Founding Gumala Members) to the YLUA were able to negotiate and secure the agreement thanks to their steadfast determination. Sadly, some of these Founding Members have since passed away, and we would especially like to acknowledge with respect the passing of one of our Roebourne Founding Elders who passed away last month.
Page 3 | Inside Ashburton | March–April 2012
Other positive outcomes that have resulted from the YLUA include Gumala’s “offshoot” businesses. These include the establishment of our business arm Gumala Enterprises (of which Gumala Contracting is its key division), Gumala Tourism (the Karijini Eco Retreat is its flagship tourism asset) and ESS Gumala (which is a joint venture with Compass Group). These businesses have created job opportunities for our Traditional Owners. There are also training and employment opportunities provided by Gumala Aboriginal Corporation and Rio Tinto, as well as Gumala’s other partners and stakeholders (including Ashburton Aboriginal Corporation, the WA Dept of Environment and Conservation, Murdoch University and University of Melbourne). There are now over 500 registered Indigenous Land Use Agreements in Australia (agreements between Aboriginal corporations and governments or other parties). I would argue that although each and every one of these agreements is important, none of them are as significant as the Yandi agreement. As the proud CEO of Gumala Aboriginal Corporation, I invite communities right around the Shire of Ashburton to join us in remembering an event that occurred precisely 15 years ago – a simple signing ceremony that would end up representing a turning point in our nation’s modern history. Steve Mav