Grass Roots Advisory Services

YINDJIBARNDI ELDERS SHARE HEARTBREAK IN FMG COURT CASE

The long-running legal battle between a mining company and an Indigenous community in the Pilbara continued on Tuesday as Yindjibarndi Elders gave evidence to the Federal Court.

Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation (YAC) is seeking compensation from Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) over activities at the Solomon Hub iron ore mines in the Pilbara on Yindjibarndi country.

Yindjibarndi Elder Tootsie Daniel spoke of the cultural significance of the land and the loss experienced by the community.

“When I looked at the country it was so beautiful… that country is no more there,” she said. “It breaks my heart.”

“Our heart is broken, our wirrard (soul and spirit) is dead.”

Yindjibarndi Elder Margaret Read gave her testimony from a Karratha hospital bed, saying she never gave anyone permission to mine on Yindjibarndi land and had been stopped from visiting her own country.

Ms Read said she tried to visit the mine in 2022 but was denied access by FMG.

“We have sacred sites there,” she said in her affidavit. “We were refused permission to our country. I shouldn’t have to ask anyone’s permission. They should be asking permission from us to be there.”

Ms Read spoke of the spiritual significance of the land and of the “little people” (spirits) that “are still there, still watching over us,” even though mining had “upset" them.

Mrs Daniel also warned of the spiritual impacts of mining.

“If you don’t respect [the spirits], it can come and hurt you and make you sick,” she said.

Read the full story: https://www.ngaardamedia.com.au/news/yindjibarndi-elders-share-heartbreak-in-fmg-court-case

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✊ What a proud for moment all.