'I USE THE TERM, ECONOMIC APARTHEID': ABORIGINAL ACADEMIC SPEAKS AT PILBARA SUMMIT
BY TANGIORA HINAKI
The Pilbara Summit has put a spotlight on what many describe as a long overdue shift—transforming the region’s vast resource wealth into real opportunities for Aboriginal communities.
Speaking at the event, respected Yawuru leader and academic Professor Peter Yu said the region stands at a critical juncture. He called for a shift from social performance to genuine economic partnerships between Aboriginal people and major industry players like Rio Tinto, Woodside, and BHP.
“This is the epicentre of wealth creation—not just in Australia but probably the globe,” Yu said. “Yet down the road, we’ve got a prison full of Aboriginal faces. I use the term ‘economic apartheid,’ and I think that’s what it represents.”
Yu criticised the continuing disparity in social and economic indicators despite over a century of mining activity in the Pilbara.
“For such a wealthy country, such a wealthy region, it just doesn’t make sense that we cannot deliver some level of equity and Aboriginal participation in this economy,” he said.
With the global shift toward decarbonisation and renewable energy, Yu said most of the future activity would take place on Aboriginal land—offering a real chance to reshape economic inclusion.
“We can draw a line in the sand now. With new agreements and the opportunity to modernise existing ones, we can transform this into an equity proposition—one that builds capacity and wealth, instead of continuing the cycle of trauma transfer.”
Yu said efforts to “close the gap” had failed to create meaningful change and called for structural reform and targeted investment to empower First Nations people.
“We’re not asking for anything special—we just need a more creative way to bring in capital, and to build a culture of wealth creation and wealth transfer,” he said.
The summit brought together industry leaders, Traditional Owners, and government representatives to discuss the region’s future as it transitions to cleaner energy and seeks greater social impact.