Indigenous

A team of talented young indigenous artists has brought colour to the walls of a retail space in Watertown, owned by Lendlease, with the opening of a new gallery led by 21-year-old Noongar man Peter Farmer Jnr.

New Century Resources has awarded a mining services contract to an indigenous joint venture as part of what the company claims to be an Australian-first agreement with traditional owners.

Aboriginal communities in Western Australia's Kimberley region have had their native title rights recognised over 12,050 square kilometre of land on the Dampier Peninsula, including James Price Point.

A Supreme Court judgement and a stoush with the state government over a new iron ore mine have shone a revealing light on the activities of the Eastern Guruma people and their business interests.

Australian Aboriginal Mining Corporation chairman Daniel Tucker is confident the company will become the first Aboriginal-owned and operated iron ore miner this year, after signing a mine gate sales deal with Fortescue Metals Group.

Roebourne-based indigenous group Ngarluma Yindjibarndi Foundation, which employs more than 50 people at its business operations throughout the Pilbara, has been placed into voluntary administration.

Fourteen females have been inducted into the WA Women’s Hall of Fame today as part of International Women’s Day, while a new report out reveals a spike in female board appointments to start the year.

A unique initiative launched earlier this month based on the six seasons of the Noongar calendar aims to grow indigenous leadership skills through culturally appropriate training, according to co-founder Rishelle Hume.

Collaboration is key for the launch of the West Australian Ballet’s 2018 season, as ballerinas and indigenous dancers come together to perform the contemporary work Milnjiya, while opera singer Deborah Cheetham provides support with a score of traditional indigenous sounds.

A fashion collaboration between internationally renowned Jimmy Choo, local designer Alvin Fernandez, and Western Australian indigenous artist Peter Farmer was brought to Perth earlier this week for a temporary exhibition.

Indigenous contracting group Eastern Guruma, which has contracts or joint ventures with the likes of Rio Tinto, Fortescue Metals Group, NRW Holdings and Carnegie Clean Energy, has been placed into administration.

Local construction company Whittens has won a $10 million contract for work on Pilbara Minerals’ Pilgangoora lithium project.

The state government and the Kariyarra people have signed an agreement that will enable existing and future expansion of Port Hedland's port and development of residential land in South Hedland.

Two indigenous business joint ventures have been awarded a combined $5.9 million worth of contracts in the Pilbara.

Sheffield Resources has launched an indigenous employment program for its Thunderbird mineral sands project near Derby, as it deals with an appeal by a local Aboriginal group against recent project approvals.

The impact of a WA initiative that empowers young Aboriginal women was recently showcased at the World Indigenous Peoples Conference on Education.

Western Australian indigenous and community leaders are pleading with the prime minister to urgently expand cashless welfare card rollouts, releasing a graphic video depicting "war zone" conditions across the state.

Northern Minerals has received backing from the federal government for an $8.1 million Aboriginal training-to-work program at its Browns Range project in the Kimberley.

Gumala Aboriginal Corporation is taking legal action against its former chief executive, Steve Mav, for allegedly breaching his duties while he was at the helm of the indigenous group.

Fortescue Metals Group, Chevron and Rio Tinto have announced six new deals with indigenous businesses and charities, with the winners including Pilbara contractor Wirlu-murra Yindjibarndi Enterprises and Perth stationery supplier Kulbardi.

SPECIAL REPORT: Indigenous businesses across WA are pursuing opportunities across a range of areas from mining and agriculture, to hospitality.

SPECIAL REPORT: A joint venture between a major contractor in the Mid West and a traditional owner group has been many years in the making.

The state and federal governments have announced a $12.8 million grant to build custom-designed indigenous accommodation at St Catherine’s College at the University of Western Australia.

Indigenous employment group Ngarluma Yindjibarndi Foundation is continuing its push into hospitality and tourism, unveiling plans to develop a tourism hub at Cossack, a historic ghost town located around 15 kilometres from Roebourne.

Iron ore miners Rio Tinto and Fortescue Metals Group have announced initiatives designed to assist local suppliers, with Rio establishing a dedicated procurement team and FMG shortening payment terms.

An inquiry will be held into the management of an Aboriginal trust that has claims to areas in Western Australia's mineral rich Pilbara region. 

Contractor Indigenous Construction Resource Group has suffered two setbacks, with its half-owned joint venture ICRG North expected to go into liquidation owing creditors about $4 million.

A netball-based education and community initiative is helping Aboriginal girls to shoot for the stars.

Accessibility and funding are two issues that have compromised the ability of WA’s Aboriginal tourism sector to satisfy unmet visitor demand.

Ngarda Civil & Mining, a pioneering indigenous contractor that employed more than 300 people at its peak, is being wound up, though curiously the listed company that owns a 50 per cent stake is still claiming Ngarda is a big employer.

40under40: First Amongst Equals winner Jahna Cedar has built a career blending her business acumen and indigenous heritage.

Gumala Aboriginal Corporation executive officer Jahna Cedar has been named the 2017 Business News 40under40 First Amongst Equals, taking the top honour ahead an impressive field of Western Australia’s young business and community leaders.