Ngalia Foundation

The Ngalia Foundation

The Ngalia Foundation has been established, under the auspices of the National Trust of Australia (WA), to conserve and interpret the Indigenous heritage values of the Northeastern Goldfields region of Western Australia. The Foundation provides an exciting opportunity for Indigenous Australians to participate in the development of livelihoods that enhance Indigenous cultural heritage and environmental values.

The Foundation facilitates the purchase or transfer of properties to be managed by Indigenous Australians, with the aim of rehabilitating landscapes, conserving cultural values (such as Indigenous medicines and food), educating the broader community about Indigenous values and developing sustainable enterprises that will create livelihoods for remote Aboriginal communities.

The Ngalia Foundation aims to build on partnerships with research organisations like the Desert Knowledge Cooperative Research Centre and Curtin University on traditional knowledge-based enterprises, natural resource management, sustainable livelihoods, and natural resource enterprise exploration. These include enhanced wild harvest of bush foods and medicines, tourism-based cultural education, arts and Indigenous land management principles and practices.

The Foundation presents an exciting opportunity for academic, corporate and government agencies to work together to restore our natural and cultural environment and invest in addressing the social and economic marginalisation of Indigenous Australians.

The Walkatjurra Cultural Centre is the on-the-ground platform on which some Ngalia Foundation initiatives are carried out. 

Mission

To develop opportunities for the engagement of Indigenous people in land and cultural heritage management in the Northeastern Goldfields region of Western Australia.

Objectives

• Facilitate the integration of Traditional knowledge and practices in land and cultural heritage management;
• Develop sustainable employment opportunities for Indigenous people in land and cultural heritage management;
• Increase the area of land in the Northeastern Goldfields under management by Indigenous people.
• Engage the community through participation in educational programs and projects; and
• Develop an income stream to support ongoing programs.

Focus Area

Ngalia Foundation activities will focus on the tribal territory of Ngalia people, in the Northeastern Goldfields region of Western Australia.

Programs

The Ngalia Foundation will work to achieve its objectives through a number of interrelated and complementary projects and programs, including:

• The Walkatjurra Ranger Program; and
• The Ngalia Heritage Recording Project.

Outcomes

The Ngalia Foundation will:

Socio-cultural

• Conserve and interpret Indigenous cultural heritage.
• Reconnect Traditional Owners with country.
• Promote an integrated approach to land and cultural heritage management, based on Traditional knowledge and practices.
• Provide education and training to the community. 

Economic

• Develop sustainable employment opportunities.
• Develop a viable business model for Indigenous enterprises.

Environmental

• Conserve and interpret natural and cultural heritage sites.
• Facilitate the active management of land in remote areas of Western Australia.

The National Trust of Australia (WA)

The National Trust of Australia (WA) is recognised internationally as a leader in the conservation and interpretation of heritage. It works to conserve and interpret Western Australia’s unique heritage, for the long-term social, spiritual, economic and environmental benefit of the community.

The National Trust is:

• A community-based, not for profit organisation.
• Incorporated under the National Trust of Australia (WA) Act (1964).
• Part of an international network, which includes 4500 members in Western Australia and 80,000 members nationally. 

Natural Heritage

The Natural Heritage program represents an essential component of the National Trust’s work. The National Trust operates a number of programs and special projects that aim to conserve and interpret Western Australia’s valuable natural heritage. This mission is primarily achieved through education, advocacy and partnerships, which will all play key roles in the work of the Ngalia Foundation.

Governance and Structure

The Foundation is a legal entity, which has been established under the auspices of the National Trust. The National Trust provides administrative support to the project; however, operational management will be the responsibility of an Executive Officer of the Foundation. A Board will be established to manage the funds and activities of the Foundation.

Funds

Foundation funds will be held in a defined-purpose account, administered by the National Trust. The National Trust provides this service allowing all contributions to be directed to the activities of the Foundation. 

Audit

The National Trust of Australia (WA) has strict accountability and audit requirements, being audited internally and externally by independent auditors, the State Auditor General and the Australian Taxation Office.

Insurance

The National Trust has general insurance to cover all Foundation activities.

Appeal

A tax-deductible appeal has been established to receive donations from corporate investors and individuals. The appeal is administered by the National Trust and all funds raised are used to support the work of the Ngalia Foundation.

Monitoring and Evaluation

The Ngalia Foundation, in partnership with the National Trust, will monitor program outcomes to evaluate their success in relation to the objectives of the Foundation. Regular programme reports will be provided to the Council of the National Trust, in accordance with governance requirements.