Jabalbina was determined to be the “one stop shop” organisation for Eastern Kuku Yalanji Bama by senior Elders and Traditional Owners in June 2007 at Coconut Grove in the Daintree.

The name Jabalbina (“home of the ancestors”) was given by the senior Elders at that meeting.

Aspiration

As Trustees of Eastern Kuku Yalanji Peoples’ traditional estate our vision is to be caring custodians of bubu (land) so Bama benefit culturally, economically, academically and socially, while enhancing Eastern Kuku Yalanji tribal lore and cultural values.
We aspire to be self-funded by exploring and developing available opportunities.

Functions

The Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC ("Jabalbina") was incorporated on 5 October 2007 under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres strait Islander) Act 2006.
Jabalbina is a Registered Native Title Body Corporate under the Native Title Act 1993, established out of the Eastern Kuku Yalanji (EKY) Native Title Determination (QC94/13) handed down on 9 December 2007. Under the determination, Jabalbina holds Native Title on behalf of the EKY People over 126,900ha of land between Mossman and Cooktown in Far North Queensland.

Jabalbina is trustee of the Jabalbina Yalanji Land Trust (JYLT) set up to hold Aboriginal Freehold land on behalf of the EKY People. On 3rd December 2011 some 63,000ha of land was formally transferred to JYLT under the Queensland Aboriginal Land Act 1991. 48,000ha of this land is to be managed by Jabalbina as a Nature Refuge under the Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992. The remaining 15,000ha is available for residential and economic development for the benefit of EKY People, subject to constraints imposed under Native Title Act 1993, Sustainable Planning Act 2009, Wet Tropics World Heritage Protection and Management Act 1993, Vegetation Management Act 1999 and associated anciliary legislation.

The EKY People's Native Title rights and Aboriginal Freehold land are part of a broad package contained in 15 Eastern Yalanji Indigenous Land Use Agreements (ILUAs) agreed in 2007 between the EKY People and other parties including the State of Queensland, local governments, service providers and leaseholders.
The ILUAs cover an area of 230,000ha, including the area over which Native Title rights have been determined and the Aboriginal Freehold land. Jabalbina is a party to the ILUAs as the body primarily responsible for representing the interests of the EKY People.

Jabalbina is responsible for the management of 20 Reserves within EKY country under the Land Act 1994, 12 as sole trustee, 7 as joint trustee with Cairns Regional Council and 1 as joint trustee with Cook Shire Council. Of these reserves, 8 are for Cultural and Environmental purposes, 4 for Cultural, Environmental and Recreational purposes, and 8 are for Beach Protection.

In July 2011, Jabalbina was registered as the Cultural Heritage Body for Eastern Kuku Yalanji Peoples’ traditional estate under the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003.

To facilitate EKY Peoples’ involvement in land use planning and management of their traditional estate, Jabalbina is currently engaged in the staged development of Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) Plans of Management over EKY country. These plans will provide Traditional Owners with a basis on which to consider a decision to declare an IPA over their traditional estate.

Jabalbina is facilitating consultation amongst Traditional Owners in to regards the management of their Sea country, including options such as Traditional Use of Marine Resources Agreement (TUMRA).

Governance and operations

Jabalbina membership currently exceeds 400 members all of whom can demonstrate connection to the EKY apical ancestors identified in the Native Title Determination or have been accepted through Traditional adoption.

Jabalbina’s corporate governance structure implemented at the 2011 annual general meeting (AGM) comprises 12 Directors, including male and female Chairpersons. Two male and two female Directors are appointed by members from each of the three primary dialect groups, Jalanji, Nyungkal or Yalanji. As a transitional arrangement, male Directors hold office for 2 years (2011 - 2013), and female Directors hold office for 4 years (2011 - 2015) after which male and female Directors will hold staggered 4 year rotational terms.

The Directors meet regularly for one to three days depending on the volume and priority of matters requiring their consideration. Given the limited staffing resources available, Directors provide much needed input into the operational as well as the strategic operations of the corporation.

Jabalbina is currently resourced to employ 4 full time staff, and engages others on a short term or casual basis when resources permit. Jabalbina is committed to recruiting EKY people with the applicable skillset for any positions that become available.

Jabalbina currently operates from leased premises at the southern extremity of EKY country in reasonable proximity to Cairns and Mossman where staff reside. The office is equipped to a functional level with IT, office and telecommunications equipment.

Directors and members aspire to acquiring a permanent base on EKY country as soon as practicable.