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Box 9.6.7Yirra Yaakin Noongar Theatre (WA)Yirra Yaakin was established in 1993 and has grown to become a world class theatrecompany and leader in community development. More than an Indigenous theatrecompany, Yirra Yaakin supports positive self-enhancement through artistic expression.Yirra Yaakin Noongar Theatre has three main areas of activity:• A community program — focussing on youth arts, local participation and events thatare of major benefit to the Aboriginal Community.• A development program — ongoing training and mentoring across a wide range oftheatre practices. Yirra Yaakin has a core of experienced professional Aboriginaltheatre workers as well as a number of trainees and volunteers who receive handson skills development in a wide range of theatre practices.• A professional program — supporting new works of emerging and establishedAboriginal artists.Source: WA Government (unpublished).Box 9.6.8National Indigenous Television Service (NITV)A Productivity Commission Report into broadcasting (2000) found that broadcastingwas important for Indigenous communities, because it provided a primary level ofservice in remote areas and in local languages. Greater Indigenous access to, andcontrol of, television content and programming has the potential to reducedisadvantage by engaging the Indigenous population and:• supporting and encouraging a strong cultural identity• providing an opportunity for Indigenous Australians to see their language andculture reflected back to them, in the same way other Australians see their culturereflected on commercial television• delivering important health, education and employment messages• addressing aspects of community isolation as well as support specific communityidentity• promoting Indigenous tourism and art (Daly 2001; Silburn et al. 2006).The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and Special Broadcasting Service(SBS) provide some Indigenous programming, and the Australian Government hasprovided support for independent Indigenous broadcasters since 1987, funding67 Indigenous broadcasting organisations in 2006-07. However, a 2005 Department ofCommunications, Information Technology and the Arts (DCITA) review found a strongdemand among Indigenous people for increased access to Indigenous televisioncontent (DCITA 2005).(Continued next page)FUNCTIONAL ANDRESILIENT FAMILIESAND COMMUNITIES