Pilbara Natives Society

The Pilbara Natives Society was an organisation established in 1955 by the Western Australian Department of Native Welfare, in response to a request from Ernie Mitchell for assistance in marketing minerals and obtaining essential supplies following the failure of Northern Development and Mining. A vehicle and other equipment were purchased by the Society for use by the cooperative and local officers of the Department were authorised to undertake financial transactions in its name. Under Mitchell’s leadership the cooperative operated as the Pilbara Native Society for a short time in 1955, but ceased doing so with formation of Pindan Pty Ltd. The Pilbara Native Society continued to exist in name for some time to assist other Aboriginal mining groups in the area but it was little used.