The inaugural Nyiyaparli Newman Cup is an initiative of Karlka Nyiyaparli Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC (KNAC) and school-based programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls and young women, Shooting Stars and Stars Foundation.
The three-way round robin netball carnival took place on Thursday 12 September, and featured school aged representatives from Port Hedland, Tom Price, and Newman.
KNAC are funding partners of the Shooting Stars program, sponsoring the Nyiyaparli Cup Carnival.
The Nyiyaparli People are the Traditional Owners of 36,684 square kilometres of land and waters in the east Pilbara region, including the township of Newman. KNAC is their Native Title representative group with approximately 400 current members, many of whom reside in the townships of Tom Price and Port Hedland.
This is the first time the new annual event has taken place. It was designed to bring young Nyiyaparli people together across the Pilbara region, as well as young people from other
communities. The event supports KNAC’s commitment to take care of Nyiyaparli people, Nyiyaparli country and the people on Nyiyaparli country. As a leading Aboriginal Corporation KNAC is keen to work with partners to provide more opportunities in the Pilbara, and especially in Newman.
Shooting Stars participants travelled to Newman for the day, in order to join and engage with local community members and Newman-based participants from the Stars Foundation.
Shooting Stars Regional Manager, Bernadine Kop has commented on the significance of the event for the Shooting Stars program and its participants:
“We’re incredibly proud of the meaningful partnership we have with Karlka Nyiyaparli Aboriginal Corporation. This collaboration has provided a great opportunity for Shooting Stars to connect further with the Nyiyaparli community.”
“Events like these hold great value as we bring young people together to connect with peers from different locations and learn about Culture and Country.”
KNAC CEO, Cate Ballantyne reiterated the importance of the partnership:
“This partnership is key to our commitment to our members to provide more opportunities, especially for young people and especially in ways that enhance time on country, cultural knowledge, connection and pride. Shooting Stars do powerful work empowering Aboriginal girls and women, and together we can create more young Marlpa leaders in the Pilbara.”
About Karlka Nyiyaparli Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC (KNAC): Karlka Nyiyaparli Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC (KNAC) is the Native Title representative group for the Nyiyaparli People. They work to preserve and protect the Niyiyaparli culture, heritage and Native Title Land; and to ensure the benefits of this work flow to their current and future members.
