The McGowan Government is seeking members for the inaugural Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Council.
The council will be the State Government’s peak strategic body for Aboriginal cultural heritage matters, as Western Australia moves towards stronger protections under the new Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2021.
There will be two Aboriginal chairpersons and up to nine members on the council, with a requirement for the majority to be Aboriginal people.
The call for nominations follows the recent proclamation of some sections of the new Act that will enable the council to be established in time to consider approval of the final Regulations and guidance documents.
Members are required to have knowledge or experience in Aboriginal cultural heritage. Other areas of expertise that may be considered include archaeology, anthropology, engineering, and urban and regional planning.
The council will provide advice to the Aboriginal Affairs Minister on Aboriginal cultural heritage matters, designate local Aboriginal cultural heritage services, and approve Aboriginal cultural heritage permits and management plans.
It will also support users of the new system in agreement making and will have a role in promoting the value of Aboriginal cultural heritage among the broader WA community.
The call for nominations opens today (June 23) and will close at 5pm on Friday July 22, 2022. To nominate or to find out more, visit https://form.jotform.com/DPLH/aboriginal-heritage-council or call (08) 6551 8002.
As stated by Aboriginal Affairs Minister Dr Tony Buti:
“As Western Australia transitions to stronger Aboriginal cultural heritage laws, we are setting up the body that will ensure the voices of Traditional Owners are heard.
“This new council will play an important role in facilitating agreement making with Traditional Owners to ensure the cultural heritage of one of the oldest continuous living cultures in the world is protected, celebrated and conserved.
“The council will have two Aboriginal chairpersons, one male and one female, to allow for the respectful consideration of men’s and women’s business and will have a majority of Aboriginal representation across its members.
“It is incredibly important that council membership also reflects the diversity of the community, and as such, we have legislated for an appropriate gender balance.
“I invite anyone who is interested in becoming a council member to nominate for this unique opportunity to contribute to the recognition, protection, conservation, preservation and management of Aboriginal cultural heritage.”
