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“We are united in our responsibility to create a better and healthier future for our people.”
Our mission is to enhance the social, emotional, wellbeing and culture of the Mitakoodi people, the Indigenous community and broader community of Cloncurry; and to teach the broader community about the history and culture of the Mitakoodi people.
Meet Our Members
As Elders of the Mitakoodi people, we possess both the cultural and authoritative rights to provide advocacy, guidance and advice on matters that concern our people and community.
Welcome to Country
Protocols for welcoming visitors to Country have always been a part of Aboriginal cultures including the Mitakoodi People. Boundaries were clear, and crossing into another group’s Country required a request for permission to enter.
When permission was granted, the hosting group would welcome the visitors, offering them safe passage and protection of their spiritual being during the journey. Visitors had to respect the protocols and rules of the landowner group while on their Country.
Today, while these protocols have been adapted to contemporary circumstances, the essential elements remain, welcoming visitors and respect for Country. Welcome to Country can only be delivered by Elders of the Traditional Owner groups.
If you are holding an event on Mitakoodi Country (Pimurra/Cloncurry), please reach out, the Mitakoodi Elders Council can assist you.
Services
The Mitakoodi Elders Council delivers a diverse range of culturally grounded services that support organisations, communities, and individuals to engage respectfully and effectively with Aboriginal culture and people.
These services include:
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Cultural Awareness
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Cultural Heritage Training
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Cultural Safety Training
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Reconciliation Action Plans
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Yarning Circles
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Men’s and Women’s Business
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Welcome to Country
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cultural immersion experiences
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mentoring and coaching
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Aboriginal engagement support
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networking
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provision of cultural advice and guidance
Importantly, a portion of all revenue generated from services delivered is reinvested directly into community-led programs and projects in Cloncurry, strengthening social and emotional wellbeing, improving health outcomes, and supporting the long-term cultural, social, and economic resilience of the local community.
To learn more, please contact us.
Other services for Indigenous community members include the following:
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Certificates of Aboriginality
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Confirmation of Ownership of an Aboriginal Business Certificates
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Confirmation of Ownership of an Mitakoodi Business
Cultural Training
All Aboriginal Communities are different.
It is important to be aware of local Aboriginal cultures, cultural practices, and cultural heritage within areas that you work, live and where your business operates.
With more than 250 Aboriginal cultures with specific and unique history and experiences; each culture is different and it is important to learn about the local cultures of where you are working and living.
To ensure that you, colleagues, and employees can work in a culturally informed way, it is vital that cultural training is undertaken with the appropriate Traditional Owners.
Our training programs aim to create an understanding, respect and appreciation of the Mitakoodi culture and people through interactive and engaging sessions that are developed and delivered by Elders of the Mitakoodi people.
The Mitakoodi Elders Council offers three types of training:
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Cultural Capability & Awareness Training
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Cultural Heritage Training - developed & delivered by local Traditional owners and recognized Native Title Landowners.
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Cultural Immersion Program (1–2-day program for Leaders / Managers).
If you would like further information, please email us at admin@mitakoodielderscouncil.com.au
Advice & Guidance
Mitakoodi Elders have lived experience and understanding of both Mitakoodi culture and community.
Their knowledge and experience boundless. They can provide guidance and advice.
For further information, please contact us.
Yarning Circles
The use of a yarning circle (or dialogue circle) is an important process within Aboriginal culture. It assists in learning from a collective group, build respectful relationships, and to preserve and pass on cultural knowledge.
A yarning circle is a harmonious, creative, and collaborative way of communicating to:
● encourage responsible, respectful
● and honest interactions between participants, building trusting relationships foster accountability
● provide a safe place to be heard and to respond
● promote connectedness
● enrich learning experiences
Our Elders can facilitate Yarning Circles to gain feedback, assist with consultation, to help with learning different topics.
Yarning Circles are frequently used in research and to gain baseline understandings of employee satisfaction in the workplace.
Programs & Projects
Through projects & program the Mitakoodi Elders Council aim to enhance the social, emotional, wellbeing and culture of the Mitakoodi peoples and Indigenous community and broader community of Cloncurry.
Our projects & programs are funded through partnerships, sponsorships, donations and grant funding.
If you would like to know more about current or future projects & programs or how to donate or sponsor, please contact the Mitakoodi Elders Council for more information.
Certificates
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people may be asked to provide proof or confirmation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander heritage when applying for Indigenous-specific services or programs such as:
Grants &
Financial Support
University courses
(with specific positions for Indigenous students)
Employment
(Indigenous identified positions)
Indigenous Business Procurement
by non-government organisations
School programs for Indigenous students.
Government agencies and community organisations usually accept three ‘working criteria’ as Confirmation of Aboriginality.
These are:
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Being of Aboriginal descent
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Identifying as an Aboriginal person
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Being accepted as such by the community in which you live or formerly lived.
All of these things must apply. The way you look or how you live are not requirements.
Government agencies, universities and schools will often supply you with their particular guidelines and ask you to complete a form or provide a letter of 'Proof' or ‘Confirmation of Aboriginality’.
The Mitakoodi Elders Council can provide a Confirmation of Aboriginality (also known as a Certificate of Aboriginality).
The Mitakoodi Elders Council can also supply a Certificate of confirmation of Ownership of an Indigenous business, and a Certificate of confirmation of Ownership of a Mitakoodi Business for confirmed Mitakoodi members only.
Certificates will generally take between 7 days - 14 days to be processed. Please note - individuals applying for a certificate must be strongly connected to and/or live within the northwest region.
To further understand how to request a certificate, please contact the Mitakoodi Elders Council Aboriginal Corporation.