The Western Australian Government is focusing on land usage rights on the tail of the National Aboriginal and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) Week 2025.
The 50th celebration of NAIDOC Week came to a close on 13 July, honouring the past and empowering the future, with this year’s theme being The Next Generation: Strength, Vision, and Legacy.
The Western Australian Government is funding multiple initiatives to navigate and combat ongoing issues surrounding land usage rights and cultural heritage.
Aboriginal organisations to restore sites
Amid the nationwide celebrations, the Western Australian Government is pushing for Aboriginal organisations to apply for up to $50,000 in funding.
That money is to restore cultural heritage sites, protect burial areas, and deliver small-scale works to maintain the land.
The government has deployed a total of $1.25 million into its Protect, Preserve, and Promote our Aboriginal Sites 2025-26 program, with applications to close on 30 September 2025.
Aboriginal Affairs Minister Don Punch says the government increased the annual allocation by five times to administer more opportunities for Traditional Owners to actively be involved in the management of their cultural heritage.
“For more than 60,000 years, First Nations Australians have cared for this country, and we want to ensure that we continue to protect Aboriginal cultural heritage for future generations,” Punch says.
Grants allocated will bolster Indigenous engagement within the mining sector of Western Australia.
The government’s aim is to allow Aboriginal organisations to boost site maintenance capacity over mining and development projects.
Noongar Boodja Trust charged up
Amid the July celebrations, the Western Australian Government is delivering another milestone with the South West Native Title Settlement.
The settlement is the government’s commitment to promote Indigenous expertise in land-use negotiations and heritage management has to date supplied $15.4 million to the Noongar Boodja Trust.
Funds allow Noongar Regional Corporations and Central Services Corporation to establish administration offices, strengthening its position to fulfill heritage survey requirements and negotiate land access.
Noongar Relationship Committee Chair Gail Beck says the committee is looking forward to seeing the outcomes of this settlement.
“The funds provided will support our corporations to have an on-country presence responsive to the needs of the Noongar communities we represent,” Beck says.
This is during an ongoing race to bolster Indigenous employment within the mining sector, with a country-wide target to increase it by 62% by 2031 for individuals aged between 25 and 64, as reported by Mining.com.au.
The Close the Gap scheme is a $707 million initiative created by the federal government to provide another 3,000 jobs in remote communities.
The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia has noted an increase of 0.4% of Indigenous participation in this sector since 2021, as discovered in its diversity and inclusion report.
NAIDOC paints the mining hub
For a week from the first Sunday of July, Australia gathers together to recognise the deep history that stems from our land and celebrate the culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The organisation kicked off the week with this 2025 National NAIDOC Awards Ceremony hosting a sold out Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre on Saturday 5 July with Michael Long taking home the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Other winners include Daniel Hunt, Rosalie Kickett, Harry Phillip Hall, and Danielle Ponter.
Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy says this year’s celebrations mark an “incredible” achievement for the greater country, celebrating the Traditional Owners and their lasting culture.
“There is no better way to recognise the strength, vision and enduring legacy of past generations than by celebrating the achievements of exceptional individuals at the NAIDOC Awards,” McCarthy says.
National NAIDOC Committee Co-Chair Lynette Riley says NAIDOC Week goes beyond celebrating what Elders started and promoting heritage and culture, but also creates an opportunity to educate the greater community.
“Fifty years of NAIDOC fills me with pride,” Riley says.
“I see so much strength and heart in our communities, especially in our young people who are stepping up with purpose.”
Minister Punch continues to say NAIDOC week is an opportunity to connect Australians alike through music, art, language, food, and storytelling.
“It offers us an opportunity to recognise the wisdom, strength, and enduring contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Contributions that continue to shape, enrich, and define our shared future,” Punch adds.
“It is also a vital opportunity for all Australians, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal alike, to stand in solidarity, to listen deeply, and to amplify Aboriginal voices and stories with genuine respect and purpose.”
NAIDOC Week ran from 6 July to 13 July 2025, with celebrations being held country-wide to recognise the culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Write to Maddison Elliott at Mining.com.au
Images: NAIDOC
