Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation

YYNAC attained RAP status on 14 September 2007.

The Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation (YYNAC) represents members of the family groups who are descendants of the Original Ancestors of the Land of the Yorta Yorta Nation. 

The YYNAC was incorporated as an Aboriginal Corporation under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (Cth) on 27 November 1998. 

The key objective of the YYNAC is to provide cultural heritage to Aboriginal and wider communities. The YNNAC are also actively engaged in services that aim at faciliating land management, providing employment opportunities and education. 

Native Title 

The YYNAC represent members of the Yorta Yorta Aboriginal Community whose native title claim was rejected in Members of the Yorta Yorta Aboriginal Community v Victoria & Ors [1998] FCA 1606. 

In 2002, the case was appealed to the High Court of Australia where the original decision was upheld.

Registered Aboriginal Party (RAP) status in Victoria 

Area of responsibility 

The YYNAC was appointed RAP status by the Aboriginal Heritage Council on 14 September 2007. For a detailed decision history, see the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council's website. 

In its role as a RAP, the YYNAC are responsible for lands that lie on both sides of the Murray River. This area runs from Cohuna to Albury-Wodonga and includes Echuca, Shepparton, Benalla, Corowa and Wangaratta and extends northwards to just South of Deniliquin. 

Activities as a RAP

The Yorta Yorta language is a strong and vibrant aspect of the cultural identity of the Yorta Yorta people. YYNAC have been committed to ensuring that the next generation can speak this language by promoting the creation of books, poetry and songs in this language. The cultural heritage unit is another significant aspect to the Yorta Yorta Nation. This unit aims to protect, promote and preserve Yorta Yorta Cultural Heritage. 

The YYNAC also owns Woka Walla which is an enterprise aimed at providing meaningful employment and training for Yorta Yorta and other Aboriginal people. On the YYNAC website, the authors note that employees of Woka Walla are committed to learning, working and caring for all aspects of Yorta Yorta lands, water, cultural heritage and the environment. 

In 2010, the Yorta Yorta community along with the State of Victoria developed a Joint Management Plan for the Barmah National Park. The Barmah National Park covers 28 505 hectares of floodplain forests and wetlands along the Murray River. The plan aims to create an environment in the Barmah National Park that reflects the Traditional Owners' cultural beliefs, values and land management practices of this part of the Murray River. 

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