Recently a group of Mineral Resources (MinRes) employees had the privilege of attending a cultural immersion program held at the Yandeyarra community, located on Kariyarra Country, to gain a deeper understanding about local Aboriginal culture and connections to land.
Starting in Port Hedland, participants drove 140km south to the Yandeyarra Aboriginal Community – nearby to our Wodgina lithium operation – to meet community members and families.
What followed was a weekend stories and meals shared around campfire, hunting emu and bush turkey and “swagging” under the stars. Local Elders also shared insights on culturally significant areas, delving into the connection they have with their Country.
MinRes Senior Heritage Advisor Mel Stuart said it was an incredible experience.
“I was touched by the hospitality we were shown, and the simplicity of spending time by the river – a place that holds so many good memories for the families living at Yandeyarra – and getting to know my colleagues and sharing our varied experiences,” Mel said.
“It was an honour and pleasure to sit around a campfire cooking damper with Margie Stewart, listening to Nana Biddy sing songs of the bush and witness a new generation of Kariyarra leaders continue their cultural traditions and protecting Country.”
Offering cultural immersion experiences for our workforce strengthens our commitment to reconciliation and deepens our shared understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.
Our Heritage and Indigenous team partners with Kariyarra Traditional Owners on a regular basis, working to protect Aboriginal cultural heritage and ensure we remain compliant with all relevant protocols.
MinRes acknowledges and respects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their connection to the land on which we live and work. We recognise Traditional Owners associated with lands within our operating areas and their contribution to successful social, community and project outcomes.
MinRes is committed to increasing our Indigenous participation and proudly work to support ongoing engagement with Indigenous people across a range of opportunities including employment, training, land use agreements, business development, partnership and cultural awareness.
More information on our ongoing commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander engagement is available in our 2022 Sustainability Report.
