Establishment of Noongar Regional Corporations
The six Noongar Agreement Groups were supported by the South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council (SWALSC) to establish their Noongar Regional Corporations (Regional Corporations) over a number of years.
Across October and November of 2022, all six Regional Corporations were formally appointed by the Noongar Boodja Trustee, after having been endorsed by their respective Agreement Groups and the WA Government. The appointment of the Regional Corporations was subject to there being maximum Noongar Community engagement, transparency, and accountability in the establishment process.
Functions of Noongar Regional Corporations
The Regional Corporations are funded by the Noongar Boodja Trust to deliver their core functions under the Settlement.
The functions of the Regional Corporations are to:
- benefit, advance and promote the six Noongar Agreement Groups;
- manage and care for Cultural Land;
- develop a Strategic Plan based on regional priorities;
- develop key policies, for example, a Cultural Advice Policy to guide cultural decision making;
- engage with government and relevant stakeholders to further Noongar community interests and priorities;
- maintain, protect, promote and support their culture, customs, language and traditions;
- manage and use the land and waters within the region to which they have a traditional connection; and
- manage their benefits and meet their obligations under the Settlement.
The Regional Corporation Guide outlines the role, functions, and obligations of the Regional Corporations and the Regional Corporations’ connection to the broader Noongar Governance Structure (NGS). The Guide provides a first reference point and summary of the relevant sections in the ILUAs, Noongar Boodja Trust Deed and the Noongar Corporation Rule Books.
Corporate Cultural Decisions
The Regional Corporations must make a variety of decisions about lands and waters to meet their ILUA obligations. The Board of a Regional Corporation can only make decisions affecting the Cultural Interests of the Agreement Group (Corporate Cultural Decisions) after having received advice from their Cultural Advice Committee (CAC). Each Regional Corporation’s CAC is comprised of Noongar Elders elected to the Committee by the Regional Corporation Members.
The Regional Corporations will seek Cultural Advice from their CACs on a range of matters, including the following:
- Land;
- Housing;
- Heritage; and
- Ceremonial Engagement.
Please visit each Regional Corporation website (listed below) for more information on their CAC.
Engagement with the Noongar Regional Corporations
The Regional Corporations have prescribed responsibilities under the ILUAs, and relevant government and other stakeholders must engage with the Regional Corporations in accordance with these requirements. These include formalised partnership arrangements in relation to:
- The Noongar Land Estate (through the Noongar Land Fund);
- The Conservation Estate;
- Aboriginal Heritage;
- Economic Participation; and
- Community Development.
As the recognised representatives of the Noongar Traditional Owners, and with responsibilities for cultural lands across their regions, it is also expected that the Regional Corporations will be a key contact point for engagement on a range of other matters for stakeholders including government, the not for profit and private sectors, to advance Noongar-led social, economic, cultural and environmental outcomes.
For more information on each Regional Corporation and how to engage, access the links listed below.
- Ballardong Aboriginal Corporation (Ballardong ILUA)
- Gnaala Karla Booja Aboriginal Corporation (Gnaala Karla Booja ILUA)
- Karri Karrak Aboriginal Corporation (South West Boojarah #2 ILUA)
- Wagyl Kaip Southern Noongar Aboriginal Corporation (Wagyl Kaip and Southern Noongar ILUA)
- Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation (Whadjuk ILUA)
- Yued Aboriginal Corporation (Yued ILUA)
