Eleven Aboriginal organisations across Western Australia's Mid West and Gascoyne regions have received grants to boost their cultural heritage management services and help them meet growing responsibilities for heritage protection, land use, and agreement-making.
The WA Government described the grants, provided through the Native Title Party Capacity Building Program, as an "investment in local jobs, stronger governance and Aboriginal-led decision-making".
The $3.2 million in funding will support frontline heritage services, workforce development, staffing, and organisational resources, helping Aboriginal organisations strengthen governance, improve operational systems, and build community knowledge of Aboriginal heritage.
The state government said the investment recognised "the important role Aboriginal leadership, economic participation, and community development play in the long-term prosperity of regional Western Australia".
Wajarri Yamaji Aboriginal Corporation has used the funding to expand its workforce and establish robust systems for managing and reporting on heritage activities, strengthening its ability to work with Traditional Owners and project proponents.
Across the Mid West and Murchison, Yugunga-Nya Native Title Aboriginal Corporation is enhancing its capability to negotiate heritage agreements and undertake heritage protection activities on Country, including heritage surveys and monitoring.
Malgana Aboriginal Corporation has used the funding to develop a formal pathway for Elders to share cultural knowledge about the spiritual significance of coast, land, and waters. This work is strengthening cultural governance, supporting informed decision-making, and improving engagement on heritage matters.
WA Aboriginal Affairs Minister Don Punch said strong Aboriginal organisations are critical to protecting cultural heritage and supporting Traditional Owners to make informed decisions on Country.
"This program is helping native title parties strengthen governance, build local expertise, and create jobs while meeting their growing heritage responsibilities," he said.
"Aboriginal leadership, economic participation, and community development are vital to the long-term prosperity of regional Western Australia.
"By investing in Aboriginal-led organisations, we're protecting cultural heritage, strengthening local decision-making, and creating opportunities that benefit Aboriginal communities and the wider region."
Mr Punch said the WA Government is "committed to empowering native title organisations to lead heritage management on Country while building capability, supporting local employment, and delivering lasting benefits for Aboriginal people and regional Western Australia".
Established in 2023, the $58 million Native Title Party Capacity Building Program supports eligible Aboriginal organisations to "respond to increasing demands associated with heritage management, land use planning, and agreement-making, while ensuring important cultural values are protected".
All 77 participating native title parties receive ongoing funding through three or four-year agreements, providing greater certainty to build strong organisations, create local employment opportunities, and support Traditional Owners to make informed decisions about activities on their Country.
More information about the program including a list of recipients can be found online.
