News

WEAK HERITAGE LAWS FAIL TRADITIONAL OWNERS AND INDUSTRY ALIKE Statement from Dr Jordan Ralph, Chief Heritage Officer of the PKKP Aboriginal Corporation. Since 2020, the PKKP Aboriginal Corporation has been working hard with all mining proponents who operate on PKKP Country to ensure that our co-management principles are embedded within every agreement that we negotiate….

Senator the Hon Murray Watt, Minister for the Environment and Water Fifth anniversary of Juukan Gorge disaster 23 May 2025 Tomorrow, Saturday 24 May, marks the fifth anniversary of the Juukan Gorge disaster. The Albanese Government acknowledges the deep hurt and trauma the destruction of the Juukan Gorge site in 2020 caused the Traditional Owners…

The 24th of May 2025 marks the fifth anniversary of the destruction of the Juukan-2 rockshelter. The rockshelter, which sits 60 km north west of Tom Price on Puutu Kunti Kurrama Country was legally destroyed, against the wishes of the Puutu Kunti Kurrama Traditional Owners, by mining company Rio Tinto as part of the expansion…

PKKP Aboriginal Corporation is very proud of the group of staff, members and members family who travelled to Sydney for the Indigenous Suicide Prevention Forum in March 2025. It is such an important forum and will provide knowledge and tools for them to bring back to the community to help support our members and community…

Can native title drive self-determination for Indigenous communities? Photo: PKKP members on country With the failure of the Indigenous Voice Referendum, native title corporations have emerged as one of the more tangible and legally embedded pathways for Indigenous self-determination, according to a leading academic. Dr Michael Lucas’ research bridges Indigenous economic development practices between Native…

Launch of Dhawura Ngilan (Remembering Country) Business and Investor Guide on 19 March 2024 1. The Launch of the Guide took place on Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country (Canberra) on 19 March 2024. 2. The Guide incorporates best practice standards and was developed with the guidance of the First Nations Heritage Protection Alliance and the National…

PKKP establishes co-management agreement as Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Bill becomes law   Photo: PKKP Director Rehannan Chubby (left), Black Cat Managing Director Gareth Solly and PKKP Chairman Terry Drage (right) The PKKP Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC has entered into agreements with Black Cat Syndicate Limited for the co-management of mining tenements at the Paulsens Gold Operation….

Black Cat Strengthens relationship with the PKKP Aboriginal Corporation – Paulsens Black Cat Syndicate Limited (‘Black Cat” or “the Company”) is pleased to advise of the signing of new agreements which have strengthened the Company’s relationship with the Puutu Kunti Kurrama People and Pinikura People (‘PKKP”). The agreements relate to modernizing the existing native title…

PKKP Aboriginal Corporation ahead of the legislation curve in heritage protection The PKKP Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC is continuing to ensure the future protection and preservation of heritage sites on PKKP country, after entering into agreements with Black Cat Syndicate Limited based on a joint commitment to the co-management of mining tenements at Paulsens East. These…

Open Letter to RTIO Employees As Chairman of the PKKP Aboriginal Corporation, I wanted to communicate directly with you about the work our Corporation and Rio Tinto are doing together on development of a co-management of mining agreement for the company’s operations on Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura lands. We feel it is important that…

Heritage Law Debate Sidetracked The PKKP Aboriginal Corporation (RNTBC) is recommending that the implementation of Western Australia’s Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2021 not be delayed. The Director of the Corporation’s Land and Heritage Unit Dr Jordan Ralph said debate on the new laws had become sidetracked on issues such as cost and fear of disadvantages…

New Chairperson for PKKP Aboriginal Corporation Pinikura Traditional Owner Terry Drage has been appointed the new chairperson for the PKKP Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC. Mr Drage said he was excited and honoured to take up the role at such a significant period for the Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura peoples. He replaces the outgoing chair Burchell...

Third Anniversary of Destruction at Juukan Gorge

RTIO – ATAL Program Re-Launch Rio Tinto is excited to commence the re-launch of the ATAL Training Program.  Please find attached promotional posters/flyers regarding information sessions where prospective applicants can submit an Expression of Interest (EOI).  The EOI portal and email ATAL@riotinto.com is now live. In summary, EOI is the first step for the participant. ...

Congratulations Dwanna Papertalk I had the pleasure of attending and speaking at the recent FMG VTEC graduation ceremony, and watching Dwanna Papertalk graduate. Congratulations Dwanna, I hope you inspire many more younger PKKP people to follow your path. Thank you also to Michelle Kua of Momentum, for being a great partner and helping get our…

Acknowledgement and Condolences for loss of respected Elder The PKKP Aboriginal Corporation wishes to acknowledge and send our sincerest condolences to the family of the late Mrs Dowton and the Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura community for the recent loss of your respected Elder. Your Elder was a true National Treasure to the Puutu Kunti…

AFR Article – Juukan Gorge traditional owners back new mining model The traditional owners of Juukan Gorge say the best way to protect heritage is through co-management agreements with miners such as Rio Tinto because Indigenous people cannot just rely on new laws from the Albanese government. The Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura people and…

AFR Opinion Piece – Burchell Hayes – Relationships not regulation, key to protection Recently, the federal government released its response to how it would prevent further disasters like the desecration at Juukan Gorge, a sacred part of my people’s culture and country, from happening again. At that time, I expressed the frustration and disappointment that…

Media Statement – Agreement Reached on Legacy Foundation The PKKP Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC has reached an historic agreement with Rio Tinto on a legacy foundation in the wake of the destruction at Juukan Gorge. Corporation Chairperson Burchell Hayes said that despite the continuing pain and loss suffered, there had been a conscious decision to work…

Media Statement – Government response Missing Respect for PKKP people The PKKP Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC is angry and disappointed and with the announcement in Canberra today of the Federal Government’s response to the Joint Select Committee Report into the destruction of Juukan Gorge. PKKP Chairman Burchell Hayes said the Corporation could not comment on the…

PKKP Enterprises making most of Opportunities PKKP Enterprises continues to win work and recently signed a mining equipment contract for FMG’s Eliwana operations. The $19 million contract was awarded in June and takes the total value of PKKP Enterprises contracts with Fortescue to $105million since 2020. The work is part of FMG’s Billion Opportunities Initiative….

Award for IMC PKKPE Joint Venture IMC PKKPE JV have been nominated and won a NAIDOC Award for Empowering Generational Change at Eliwana Mine. IMC PKKPE JV is a joint venture between Indigenous Partnerships Australia (IPA) and PKKP Enterprises Ltd. IMC PKKPE JV have designed and implemented an entry-level pre-employment training program to introduce Indigenous…

PKKP Perth Office Opening PKKP Enterprises reached another milestone in April with the opening of the new Perth office at Level 2, 200 Adelaide Terrace, Perth. The office is shared with PKKP Enterprises JV Partner, Momentum Business, a local HR Services and Recruitment company with a focus on Aboriginal recruitment and support. Whilst Operations remain…

COVID Care an ongoing priority for PKKP The PKKP Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC is continuing the fight against COVID-19 and has appointed a Community Programs Officer to lead efforts to reduce, prevent and manage transmission of the virus within Puutu Kunti Kurrama Pinikura communities throughout the Pilbara. The COVID specific role is receiving funding support from…

Today is the second anniversary of the Juukan Gorge Disaster. Please read the following statement of PKKP’s Chair, Burchell Hayes. Message from Chair

PKKP Aboriginal Corporation has signed a non-binding Heads of Agreement (HoA) with Rio Tinto. For more information, read the media statement below. Media Statement

PKKP Aboriginal Corporation has appointed key positions within the organisation. For more information, read the media statement below. Media Statement

Dear Members , We hope you have had a great holiday and it was a safe one. If your details have changed and if you need to inform the Corporation, please follow the link below to update your information on our website with a electronic form. If you should have any questions, please don’t hesitate…

Dear Members, We have now moved into out new offices at 7 Hedland Place. Please come in and grab a cuppa and come for a yarn and a tour of our new home. If you need any assistance please call us on 08 9185 5000 or email info@pkkp.org.au We look forward to welcoming you and…