Cape York Organisations

Programs

The Cape York organisations are focused on empowering Indigenous people to move beyond passive welfare and to become part of the real economy. We help individuals and families tackle issues including health, education, employment, economic development, land rights and passive welfare dependency.

Our goal is to build strong families and individuals and to pave the way for a better future for Cape York.

The broad roles of the five not-for-profit organisations are described below. Visit each organisation's website, or contact us for more information.

Apunipima Cape York Health Council

Apunipima is a community controlled preventative health care agency. Apunipima’s role is split into two strands:

Advocacy

Apunipima develops policy and lobbies government, and engages communities to take greater responsibility for their own health.

Coordination

Apunipima facilitates the improved coordination of healthcare services at a community level. Apunipima’s key strategies have included the Well Person’s Health check and the River of Life Strategy , which recognize that early intervention prevents health problems from escalating.

Balkanu Cape York Development Corporation

Balkanu is focused on enabling families and individuals to build real economies. Three key focusses are:

Caring for Country

Assists indigenous people to manage and develop their country. Key projects include the recording of traditional knowledge and language in various regions of the Cape.

CYDN

Cape York Digital Network. Created to establish and operate a network of managed technology centres in Cape York, as well as providing IT services, video conferencing, wireless networks and IT consulting to a variety of organisations.

Business Hubs

Facilitates the development of small businesses within communities.

Cape York Institute for Policy and Leadership

The Cape York Institute is a public policy organisation that champions reform and innovation in Indigenous and social welfare policies. It has three mutually supporting elements:

Think Tank	Provides seminars, residencies, secondments and other activities to foster critical debate and drive the reform agenda.
Policy and Research Program	Idea generation and policy research focused on understanding the first causes of Indigenous disadvantage on Cape York.
Youth and Leadership Program	Capacity-building and personal development for current and future Indigenous leaders.

Cape York Land Council

The Cape York Land Council was formed in 1990. Its mission is to consult with and represent the Aboriginal people of the Cape York Peninsula to regain rights to sea and land in order to preserve Aboriginal culture and enhance economic opportunities. The Cape York Land Council is the recognised Native Title Representative Body for the Cooktown ( Cape York Peninsula ) area. The Council provides legal advice, advocacy and representation.

Programs include:

Native title applications
Aboriginal Land Act 1991 matters
Cultural heritage protection
Mining and other developments
Submissions and representation on law and procedural reform.

Cape York Partnerships Projects

Cape York Partnerships Projects (CYPP) is a community development organisation. CYPP trials innovative projects with an education, money management and health focus. CYPP believes in building strong individuals and families.

Programs include:

Boys from the Bush

A social enterprise for 12-20 year old Indigenous youths

Family Income Management

Enabling Indigenous people to budget and manage their income

Work Socialisation

Introducing young Indigenous people to the working environment

Computer Culture

Confronting the education crisis that faces young Indigenous people

Pride of Place

Linking improvement of the physical environment and quality of life.