About

Jilarda Consultants is a 100% Aboriginal- owned cultural consultancy dedicated to protecting, recording, and strengthening First Nations culture through Elder-led and community-governed work.

Led by Aaron Martin (Yinhawnagka & Yamatji) and Melanie Major (Nyiyaparli, Palkyu and Waluwarra), Jilarda combines lived cultural authority with professional experience across governance, advocacy, Native Title environments, and cultural heritage documentation.

With deep connections to the Pilbara region and strong relationships with Elders, families, and Aboriginal organisations, Jilarda delivers work that honours cultural authority while meeting the governance and reporting expectations of corporate and government partners.

At the heart of Jilarda’s work is the Yinhawangka Living Cultures Project, a long term initiative focused on preserving cultural knowledge, recording Elder stories, and strengthening intergenerational knowledge transfer.

Jilarda’s vision is to empower First Nations communities by delivering culturally grounded services that honour Lore, protect knowledge, and strengthen self-determination.

We believe culture is living – not static – and that when it is protected properly, it strengthens identity, governance, and long-term community wellbeing.

Our work ensures that cultural knowledge, stories, and authority remain community controlled, ethically recorded, and safely preserved for future generations.