The Nyiyaparli People are the Traditional Owners of approximately 36,684 square kilometres of land and waters in the east Pilbara region, including the township of Newman, Western Australia.
It was an almost 20-year long journey for the Nyiyaparli people to achieving native title recognition, with the first initial claim (WAD 6280 of 1998) lodged with the National Native Title Tribunal on 29 September 1998. The court hearing saw representatives from the Federal Court, State and Federal government, and Traditional Owners come together to witness the historic occasion.
The Determination Area covers approximately 40,000 square kilometres of Nyiyaparli traditional country and encompasses the town of Newman, the Aboriginal communities of Jigalong and Parnpajinya, several pastoral leases and significant mining operations.
While all Country is important to the Nyiyaparli people, areas of particular cultural and environmental significance within the Determination Area include: the Fortescue Marsh, Weeli Wolli Creek, Coondiner Creek, Caramulla Creek and Savoury Creek. Parts of the Hamersley, Chichester and Opthalmia Ranges and the Fortescue and Oakover Rivers are also major features of the area.
Within this Determination Area are places of particular significance to the Nyiyaparli people, including ceremonial sites, songlines, permanent pools and natural resources.
As the RNTBC (registered native title body corporate) for the Nyiyaparli People (trustee of native title), KNAC manages the native title rights and interests of the Nyiyaparli native title holders and is the “native title party” for the purposes of notification, consultation and negotiation under the Native Title Act 1993 (1993) (Native Title Act).
As the RNTBC for the Nyiyaparli Determination, Karlka must make native title decisions in accordance with the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (Cth) (CATSI Act); Native Title (Indigenous Land Use Agreements) Regulations 1999 (Cth) (ILUA Regulations); Native Title (Prescribed Bodies Corporate) Regulations 1999 (Cth) (PBC Regulations); and KNAC RNTBC Rule Book.
The Nyiyaparli symbol reflects the leadership and strength of Nyiyaparli people in commerce, connection and cultural values held over 40,000 years.
It communicates a collective meaning about Nyiyaparli people; this is me, my people, my country.
The logo is a contemporary interpretation of the arm and head bands worn by Nyiyaparli together with the main body painting. The contemporary aspect reflects the intersection of Nyiyaparli history and stories with today’s aspirations to lead community, culture and commerce into new directions for future generations.
Copyright © 2022 Karlka Nyiyaparli Aboriginal Corporation. All rights reserved.
