Michael Woodley Part 2: Yindjibarndi Native Title Fight

Rare Air with Meri Fatin

"It hits you in a spot where it makes you feel that no-one values Indigenous people. We’ve done nothing wrong. I come from a proud generation of Yindjibarndi people."

This is the second part of our interview with Michael Woodley, CEO of the Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation.

Michael describes how, aged in his twenties, supporting a young family and working his way up the ranks at Hamersley Iron (a great story in itself), his grandfather, Woodley King, came to him and asked him to come home to Roebourne. To lead the Yindjibarndi community.

Michael's priorities were clear - he was required to serve his community - he didn't give it a second thought.

Like all leadership changes, it wasn’t all smooth sailing, but Michael was clear on his Grandfather’s goals for the community and set about the ground work to achieving them.

In Part 2, Michael returns to the conversation about the unresolved native title dealings with mining company Fortescue Metals Group ( FMG), reflects positively on how well his community represented themselves at a recent Federal Court hearing, and on how the legal process has impacted his sense of worth as an Indigenous man.

The traditional singing is Michael Woodley himself, recorded at the Woodbrook Law Camp near Roebourne, October 24 2015. Cicadas recorded by the roadside.

Three Gates Media thanks Michael Woodley for this interview.