Chairman`s Report - Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa

Chairman`s Report - Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa

2
010 has been another successful year for
Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa. Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa
keeps growing year by year.
22 Martu are now employed permanently, 180 have
been employed casually this year and over 100
Martu came on Jukurrpa Ninti trips back to country.
Chairman’s Report
p1
What is important for
Martu
p 7-8
Jukurrpa Ninti
p 9-10
Windy Corner Trip
p 11-12
Kuju Wangka
p 19-20
Jigalong Ranger Team
p 21-22
Parnngurr Ranger Team
p 23-24
Martu Stories and Archive
p 31-32
Heritage Support
p 33-34
Cultural Awareness
p 35-36
Supporters visiting Martu
p 43-44
Talking to Government
p 45-46
Money and Employment
p 47-48
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CEOs’ report
p2
Where did Kanyirninpa
Jukurrpa come from?
p 3-4
Keeping the old people’s
vision strong
p 5-6
Jutupa and Taarl Trip
p 13-14
ARC CSR Project
Wells 1 - 9
p 15-16
ARC CSR Project
Jilakurru and Kaalpi
p 17-18
Caring for our Country
p 25-26
Camels
p 27-28
Fire
p 29-30
Martu Media
p 37-38
Training and Mentoring
p 39-40
Community Meetings
p 41-42
Kalyuku Ninti - Puntuku Ngurra
Ltd
Trading as Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa
ABN: 73136673893
Office: 08 9175 5737
Board
p 49-50
Staff
p 51-54
PO Box 504 Newman 6753
Chairman’s Report
W
uulpipul-ya wangkajunu kujungka wangkangka nyinaraku
palutinkurnungka ngurrangka. Kuju wangka – one voice.
Palyangka-laju nyinaraku.
Ngurra nyakuranku pikaparnilu yarnngalu. Ngurralu-ya yarnngalu
junu wangka. Wangkangu-ya Yantikujingka wangkangka-ya kujungka
junu.
Jijilu-ya malajanulu ngurra kalyulurrju nyakuran. Palyalu-ya.
Nintilku-lajujananya jurnku malajanulu-ya nyakuranpa. Wuulpipulmili
kalyu pikaparnilu. Kujungka wangkangka. No argument.
The old people talked together about all Martu country. One voice.
No argument. We need to be strong together, like them.
Everybody looked after the country with no argument. Everybody
came along and said this was the right way. They talked together in
Yantikuji about this.
The children must continue to look after the country and the
waterholes. This will be good. We will teach the children, so that
they can continue to look after the country.
The old people looked after the waterholes with no arguments. They
spoke with one voice. No arguments.
Muuki Taylor
1
CEOs’ Report
I
n the year since the last AGM, Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa has
concentrated on becoming strong in two ways. The main one
is building all of our programs – rangers, Jukurrpa Ninti, mankarr
work, Martu Media, cultural awareness, history and archive,
mapping country – all the things that Martu have said need to
happen. These programs build on the strength and pride of Martu
people – Martu culture, land and jukurrpa.
The second area is sustainability – making Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa
a strong, sustainable organisation, so that it can keep building a
future for Martu communities. Unless Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa is well-funded and well-managed, it
will get into trouble. So, we have concentrated on becoming strong in this way as well.
In this report, we will not talk about building the Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa programs. This is because,
all through the report, Martu talk about them. Again and again, Martu people talk about what
is important to them – their culture, their land, their language, their families, their jukurr. Their
words are better than ours. It is best that people listen to the Martu voice in this report.
We will talk about the other side of our work – making Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa a strong, sustainable
organisation for the future. This year, with many Martu people helping, we have done a lot of work
to make Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa strong. This includes:
• working with the Martu Trust to secure an office in Newman;
• getting money to extend this office, so that staff can work better, so that we can run meetings
and training in the office, and so that WDLAC and the Martu Trust have somewhere to meet and
work in Newman;
• going to Canberra to get money to pay good managers to help us run Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa;
• getting money from the government so that these managers have somewhere to live in
Newman;
• getting a good house and office for the ranger coordinator in Jigalong;
• making an agreement with the Parnngurr Community Council so that the two Kanyirninpa
Jukurrpa houses in Parnngurr are safe;
• getting enough money to be able to run Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa – money for vehicles, diesel,
insurance, accounting and all the other costs of running a good organisation;
• starting Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa as a separate company, with its own constitution, Board and
accountants;
• doing a lot of work to make Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa run better, so that we make sure we pay
Martu on time, we have all of the policies and procedures that the government requires and we
can be sure that money is used properly;
• starting Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa community committees in each of Jigalong, Newman, Parnngurr
and Punmu;
• getting directors for the Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa Board from every part of Martu country, so that
everyone has a voice;
• creating a strong Strategic Plan, so that everyone can see where Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa is going.
We need to keep building Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa to be strong, so that everyone who looks at it says
“This is a good company – honest, hard-working and properly run.” Building Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa
to be strong needs Martu and whitefellas to work together as friends – kujungka-la warrkamurriku.
But always, Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa must listen to the Martu voice. So, the rest of this report is all
Martu people’s wangka. Palya.
Peter Johnson and Sue Davenport
2
Where did Kanyirninpa
Jukurrpa come from?
Billy Gibbs, Martu elder, 1987
P
arna walyjangka nyinaranku puntu. Nyinara. Jiji marlajanu walyjalura kanyilkura jii parnaku,
jamukurnuku. Palunyaku-lajura purtu japini governmentpa.
Kalkilunga-yajananya wajarni ngurra kujupangkanga wajara-jananya wiyarni “Yarra jawala
jiinya. Yapu-lajura mankuraku jiiku. Wiyarringunpa jiinga julyjungulyu. Kartiyakurnu parna.
Ngayunkurnungka ngurrangka yarra jawala.” Wajalkurnku-ya Warnmanpa-laju ngayunpa
jiimataji. Mayitinku-ya wajalku Nyangumarta. Manyjilyjarralunga-laju wajalku “Yarrarnilanyaju japila. Jiingampan wiya wajara wanarninpa wajara wiyarnin yankura jawalkuraku.”
Ngayunju-laju wajarninpa “Kujungkarrira wangka warnku, yapukunga – yapuku, walaku. Yumu
parlparringulyu.”
Wajarninpa-laju palunya ngapi “Jiingampa maruparni kujupa nganapa. Yulajarralura wajarnin
yapuku yapura mankujalu. Martuparni wiya jiinga kujupa nyarrangulyura mamanga nyininpa
mayiti governmentkurnu mamakurlu or minerkurnu mamakurlu. Kajakurnuyilara.”
Homeland Martukurnu. Martukurnunga ngurra-janampa. Ngurra kujupa kujupangajanampa jiinga kujungka. Palunyaku-lajura wajarninpa “DIA-lulanyaju money yunku warnku. Ngurrangka ngayunkurnungka walyjalu-laju marangka kanyilkuranku.” Ngayunkurnungka
wangkangka.
Ngayunju-laju manku warnku nganangapa mirrka, medicinpa, maya, Martuku-janampa
yirnakajaku nyukuni janaku purtakajaku jakajakaku maya palunyankulurrju. Ngayunjulajujananya kanyilkuranku jakajakarrinjangka. Jakajakarrinjanga purtu pakalpanga.
Wangkaraka-jananya kalkilunga wiyalkuran. Kalkilunga-lajujananya kanyira. Jiingkangulyu
kawalinkura ngurra walyjangka. Wangka-lampaju ngayunkurnu.
Palunyakurnu Governmentkurnu yapu. Parna-lampajuku ngayunkurnu ngurra. Kuulpa, kuul
walyja-laju, ngurra walyjangka kanyilkuraku. Yapu-lanyajuya yunku warnku wangka kuulku
ngayunkurnuku.
Kanyilku-ya jijimalajanulu jilanyangulyu. Walyjalu-ya kanyilku warnku. Wangka walyja.
Martungku-jananya kanyilkuranku ngurra kujupa kujupa. Walyjangka ngurrangka yarnnga.
Walyja wangka ranamunkurangku.
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Billy Gibbs, Martu elder, 1987
P
eople should stay in their country. Stay there. Children from the next generation should look
after this land, their grandfathers’ country. That’s why we are still asking the government for
our land.
In other places, some people are saying “Go ahead and mine here. We want to get money from
this mining. The land is already finished. It’s whitefellas’ land. Go and dig up our country.” Some people are saying “We are Warnman – we are the true owners”. Maybe they might say
they are Nyangumarta. We Manyjilyjarra people will say “Come and talk to us. You are telling
lies about going and mining that land.” We are saying “We need to talk all together about our
country – our hills and our lakes. This is happening everywhere, for no good reason.”
We are saying this “He is not Martu, we don’t know him. He’s crying that he wants to get
money from mining. He’s not Martu, he’s maybe a child of the government or a child of the
miners. He’s like a son to them.”
This is Martu people’s homeland. This is Martu country. All of the different parts of the country
are one. That’s why we are saying “DIA want to give us money. In our own country, we want
to do it ourselves.” This is our policy.
We want to use money for things like food, medicine, housing, to look after people who are frail.
We want to look after our people who are frail. They can’t look after themselves. Some people
want to send them away. Some want to keep them here and look after them until they pass
away in their own country. That is our policy.
The minerals belong to the Government. The land belongs to us. We need to have our own
schools in our communities. They should give us money for our schools.
The next generation should keep it this way. They should look after it for us, keep it as one.
They should look after all the different Martu places. All the different ngurra, everywhere. This
is the way it should continue.
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Keeping the old people’s
vision strong
Anthony Gibbs, Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa Board Member, 2010
J
ulyju-laju nyinapayi ngurrangka Punmungka. Jiji-rna nyinapayi julyju-rnipula Davenport
kamu palumili jurtu yanu Punmukarti. Palunya kujarralu-pula warrkamurripayi
Martukajangka jiingka ngurrangka.
Ngayumili mamalura nintijunkupayi wangkawintilu. Kalyura wajara yungkupayi. Ngurralurrjura
wajara yungkupayi. Wanyjalpa-ya julyju pujimanpa nyinapayi. Ngaayukujanu wangkajanu
Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa pakarnu yutirringu.
Ngayu-rna pukulpa nyakura-rna Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa pakalkura majurrira. Nyakurarnajananya Martu-ya kalki warrkamurri-ya ngaangka kampaningka. Wanalku-lajanampa
yiwarra. Palyamanku-la kanyilku, ka-la wanalku jurngangka yiwarrangka nyinaku. Wanyjalpaya wanarnu jurnu.
Mankura-lajanampa wangka yutimankura. Kuwarringa-la ngayunpa nyinani kana. Martu-ya
pakirrinpa nganalu-janampa wangka kanyilku?
Kujungka-la warrkamurrira. Junkura-la wangka julyjulangku warrkilpayi. Junkura-la warrkinja
kajilanya kunyjunyumanku jampala nyinaku jilanya? Paki-la junkura walyku.
Martu-ya julyju nyinapayi pinalkarra. Kujungkarrirangku-ya wangkapayi. Kujungka
wangkangka.
“For Martu people who live in this land, it’s the
songline and the land around this area, it’s so
special to them. We connect with the land – it’s our
dreaming, our spirits, our culture. It’s my life.
It’s all Martu people’s ancestors, our great
grandmother’s and grandfather’s. What the old
people told me – to try and look after our culture,
law and the land.
So we need to protect Martu culture and the land
and the community that lives around it.”
Clifton Girgiba
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Anthony Gibbs, Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa Board Member, 2010
I
n the old days, we were living in our home in Punmu. In my childhood, Davenport and her
sister came to Punmu. Then they started working for the Martu, there in our home.
My father taught her with stories. He taught her about waterholes. He taught her about
everybody’s homeland. He taught her about how Martu used to live traditionally. This was how
Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa was born.
I wanted to see Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa grow to be strong. I want to see some other people
working in this company. We will follow the old people’s path. Let us fix things up, and we will
follow in the right path. They fought for the right future.
We should search and find the truth of their words. Today, we are still alive. Our people are
passing away, and who is going to stand up?
We should work together. Let’s forget about old arguments. Are these arguments going to
make us feel strong? No, let’s leave them, they’re bad.
The old people’s minds were open. They could see what they were aiming for. People used to
talk with one voice.
“Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa is important for the old and young people
to go back to country. Some of the old people have finished but
we are lucky to still have people who can show us around so we
can take it from there. Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa is very important
for everybody. I think Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa is the number one.
We take the school kids out on trips – we can have the rangers
and the school kids working together with the old people. The old
people don’t have to write it down – they have a map in their head
and they know the places.
Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa gives people jobs in the bush, so the kids
can come along and see what’s important and they might have
a job in the future, get a good lot of training, ranger training and
all the Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa workers. We are one. Kanyirninpa
Jukurrpa is a very important name.
All the young people become proud – they really enjoy themselves
and it makes them stronger to be involved.”
Norman Sammy
6
What is important for
Martu
F
or this review of Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa’s work in 2010, we asked Martu to talk about what was
important to them.
Invariably, they spoke about culture, land and family. They also emphasized the need for unity
and continuity.
The quotes throughout this review, including those here, illustrate their priorities and their pride.
“We need to be strong, as young people and try and move forward to help our old people. So
we need to learn from the old people, what they are teaching us about the land, the names,
their history, culture and language.
We need to find out who is Manyjilyjarra, Kartujarra, Putijarra and Warnman. We need to be
as one. Martu people joining up and getting more young people to learn about it.
Get to know the land and we all become one.”
Clifton Girgiba
7
“The two Wati Kujarra (Two Men) who are the creators
in the Jukurrpa separated the boundaries and gave Law
to the Martu people, to all the tribes, the six language
groups became one Martu voice. The things that we do
we do as one.
This ranger work and all the other work that is coming
into place it’s all part of that to enable them to pass
that knowledge on. That’s what getting our native title
was about.
Non-indigenous people need to understand how we need
to manage and care for our country and how we used to
do it back then before the old people started moving
into towns and cities.
That’s why the Martu people moved back to their
country and have started to care for and manage their
country. This has made us really strong.”
Brian Samson
8
Jukurrpa Ninti
I
n 2010 Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa organised four Jukurrpa Ninti
(Return to Country) trips taking 110 Elders and young people
back to their traditional country.
These expeditions, averaging eight days, took Martu to remote
areas that are difficult to visit. The elders lead the party to waterholes and significant areas,
teaching the young people about the country, the jukurrpa, the
histories, the families and the flora and fauna.
All this knowledge is recorded on film, audio, photos and maps.
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Yuwali and Thelma went
to Perth in September
to speak at a fundraising
event which showed the
film Contact. Yuwali and
Thelma and the Judson
and Nixon families and
BHP are donating this
money to a return to
country trip to take kids
out to the Wirnpa area.
Thank you Yuwali , Thelma
and BHP.
“Jukurrpa Ninti is good, good for us,
good for everybody who wants to go,
even for young fellas because Jukurrpa
Ninti is the best for everyone.
Looking after Jukurrpa [the dreaming
and the law] is the best for us.”
Norman Sammy
“I love to go back to
country, taking people
back to country.
It’s good for old people to
teach us the Jukurrpa –
Jukurrpa Ninti.”
Hayley Atkins
10
10
Windy Corner Trip
I
n June 2010, 24 Martu travelled from Parnngurr along the Windy Corner road, up the Gary
Highway to Gary Junction, then met the Canning Stock Route at Well 33 (Kunawarritji) and
then went north-east to Well 35 (Kiinyu). This trip was organised for the Crusoe family and was led by
Kumpaya Girgiba, a very knowledgeable elder who came in
from traditional life in 1963.
“I really wanted to come on this trip because I had
heard a lot of stories about my grandfather. He
told me how beautiful the country was this side
– all the dreamtime stories. So I wanted to
come out and here I am – first time.
Young fellas and young kids need to
come out and experience their
grandfathers’ land.”
Lloyd Patch
11
“It was good to see my grandfather’s and Kumpaya’s
land and to learn about where they have been and where
they were staying and to let all the young kids know in
our family where they come from.
It made me feel proud.
We learned about all the
different families from
other places that I didn’t
know about – it was good
to learn about that too.”
“My grandfather and my
grandmother Kumpaya who
walked this land make me
feel like I can be stronger.
Crystal Crusoe
I can speak out for other
people and that makes me
proud.“
Clifton Girgiba
12
Jutupa and Taarl
I
n August 2010, 29 Martu left Punmu to travel south along Lake Dora,
across sand dunes and claypans to Lake Blanche. This area has many beautiful and culturally important springs, including
Jutupa, Taarl and Tapirl.
Minyawu, Muuki, Milton, Rosie,
Nancy Taylor, Mulyatinki, Jakayu
and Nancy Chapman, who all
left their traditional life between
1963 and 1966, showed the
middle aged and young people
these important places.
“Yuu, ngaa-rna kuwarri wiyaju yanu.
Nyangu-rnajura ngayumili jamumili
ngurra. Warrarnpa-rna nyangu ngurrpalu.
Kuwarriwiyaju-rna yanu. Kuwarri-rna
yanku marlakurriku-rna rangerangka-rna
warrkamurriku rangerangka. “
“Yanu-laju nyangu ngaa kapi, nyarra.
Jamu-ya parra yankupayi kapali. Yanulaju nyangu warrarnpa jiingulyu. “
“Yes, this is the first time that I’ve been
here. Now I’ve seen my grandfather’s
country. I had never seen this country
before. This is the first time I have been
here. Now, I might come back and work here
as a ranger.”
“We went to see this waterhole, there.
My grandfather and my grandmother
used to walk around here. We went to
see this waterhole, right here.”
Elliott Gibbs
Christopher James
13
“We’ve seen this path to where our people
used to live. And we feel happy. And next
time we can come back and we know the
way to go.
“Yuu, ngaa-rna yanu ngurra nyangu. Nintirnurniya ngaa ngurra. Yanu-rna ngurrpalu nyangu.
Yuu, yanku-rna marlakurriku mayiti-rnaju kaja
karriku ngalya-rni. Kangku nintilku ngurra
ngaanya.”
This one, it’s a good one, and it’s been a
long time for us to see our home like this.
We have waited a long time. And it’s good.
We can go back happy. We can go back
home happy.”
“I came here to see this country. They taught
me this country. I had never seen this country
before. Yes, I might come back here and bring
my son. Bring him and show him – teach him
this country.”
Milton Chapman
McKenzie Rogers
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ARC CSR Project
Wells 1- 9
K
anyirninpa Jukurrpa is part of a large research project into
the Canning Stock Route, funded by the Australian Research
Council and led by the Australian National University. Project partners include Central Desert
Native Title Service, Kimberley Land Council, WA Department of Environment and Conservation,
WA Department of Indigenous Affairs, Landgate and the Department of Environment, Water,
Heritage and the Arts.
This project helps traditional owners to get back to their country around the Canning Stock
Route, to document all the rock art, to identify important places to record and to make
decisions on how to manage the land and the impact of visitors to the CSR. This information
will go into a management plan which will be developed by the traditional owners.
In May 2010, 24 traditional owners and young people travelled up the CSR from Well 1 to Well
9 to look at the impact of tourists on this country and to decide on the best way to manage this
area. A great deal of information was collected for the Martu management plan for this country
“Tourists need to hear the
people’s story, the Martu
story of how we used to
live here and use these
waterholes before they
were turned into wells.
Many tourists go up
and down the CSR, our
country. We have permits
to tell them where they
can or can’t go, like the
sacred men’s sites and
the secret women’s sites.
There are places that are
open and we tell them to
stick to that part of the
country.
I tell the tourists which
way they can go and which
way not to go.”
Arthur Samson
15
“We went from well 1 to well 9 on the CSR. This was good to get together with the Wiluna
rangers and check out their work and what they do. We checked all the wells to see if they are
good to drink. We took all the ladies. It was a good trip. We looked to see where tourists could
go in Blue Hills (Canarvon Ranges) to see the sacred sites – there is a lot of main law there.
We dug out a rockhole, cleaned it out and got all the dirt out so the water can come back to
the rockhole. The camels are damaging some of the wells and rockholes – the drinking areas. It
was raining all the time. We got a lot of tarps out and slept under the tarps. It rained all the
way to Well 9 everyday.
At Well 9 the old people want to put some signs up where the old people were shot by John
Forrest. They want to put a sign up to tell them there is a big graveyard there, where they
buried them and then put a fence around that area.”
Gabriel Jefferies
16
ARC CSR Project
Jilakurru & Kaalpi
I
n June and July 2010, 33 traditional owners - elders, middle aged and
young people – visited Jilakurru (Durba Springs) and Kaalpi (Calvert Range)
to record the rock art, log waterholes, review the rock wallaby reintroduction
project and check the health of the country.
The elders talked about how tourists were going to places that were restricted
and how to manage this part of the country.
“A couple of months back we went with the elders who were important for the Jilakurru
area to look after the place and get information about all the paintings. Peter Veth was
there to help look after important Jukurrpa (dreaming) sites. We did the special work
for the dreamtime story.
It’s important to protect the ngurra (country) area, it’s a main water place that one,
main spring for the old people. That’s why we went to have a look around and took the old
people and they said it’s OK to make it good.
The tourists are going in the wrong areas where they shouldn’t go ; that’s why we want
to try and keep the ngurlu (secret) places separate, and make other places clear for the
tourists to have a look and go around that area – but not on the secret side.”
Arthur Samson
17
“Two months ago we went to Kaalpi and Jilakurru. On the
way out there we did some talking about culture – about
Jukurrpa down the Savory Creek.
We came to the creek where there is a sand dune where there
is a dreamtime baby which was born. This is important for
Martu.
At Jilakurru we did some mapping and looking at paintings.
We marked the areas where people are not allowed to go.
Some areas are clear to go.
We went to Kaalpi – they call it Kurukanti - which is a
Jukurrpa place for the old people. We did the mapping and
some singing there. We said where the tourists could and
couldn’t go.”
18
Mitchell Biljaba
Kuju Wangka
K
uju Wangka (one voice) is a forum
consisting of traditional owners (TO’s)
from all parts of the Canning Stock Route. Representatives come from each of five
native title determination or claim areas –
Tjurabalan, Ngurrara, Martu, Birriliburu and
Wiluna.
The TO’s are also represented by the
Central Desert Native Title Service,
Kimberley Land Council, Western Desert
Lands Aboriginal Corporation and
Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa.
This group meets to make decisions about
the management of the Canning Stock
Route. In late October 2009, a large
meeting was held in Parnngurr.
19
“This is for the Canning Stock Route.
We formed Kuju Wangka the last couple
of years. In the Parnngurr meeting,
everybody came to Parnngurr and they
talked about who is going to look after
it and who owns the CSR.
We met with the TOs and everybody
from right up north down to Wiluna.
From Wiluna, the TOs take it half way
and then hand over to the Jigalong mob
and Jigalong take it on to Parnngurr and
Parnngurr take it onto Punmu and 33
and from 33 hand it over to the Wirnpa
mob and from there the Ngurrara people
hand on to the Kimberley (Billiluna) mob.
We are one voice and speak with one
mind. This year people are making a plan
to look after the CSR and to keep the
CSR going.”
Mitchell Biljaba
Photos by Ken Leighton, Landgate
20
Jigalong Ranger
Team
T
he ranger team in Jigalong formed in 2009 and has
extended its scope of work in 2010. The six rangers have
been joined by other Jigalong people, who are now working
part time with the team.
The team has been continuing to visit country, conducting
burning, helping with control of feral animals, taking part in
training programs, monitoring tourists along the Caning Stock
Route , cleaning out waterholes, constructing an information
booth in Jilakurru (Durba Springs) and generally looking after
country.
The team has also been working with the police taking young
people who have been in trouble out to country and helping
track lost people.
“All I can say is this should
have happened about 20
years ago and I think now
it’s happening we need to go
forward with it.
We want to run with this
program for the next 20
years so that we are able to
have my kids and their kids
able to start managing and
caring for this country.
Its about our knowledge and
passing that knowledge on to
our young people and working
as a partnership and I think
it’s great.
It needs to be done on both
sides, the Government and
the Martu people working
together. I think it’s great.”
Brian Samson
21
“The young kids, we show them
the country, telling the high
school boys, taking them out
and showing them how we look
after the waterholes.
They are good at tracking. They
love it too.
They want to be a ranger when
they grow up.”
Arthur Samson
22
Parnngurr Ranger Team
T
he Parnngurr ranger team is being formed and has taken part in various training
programs.
The ranger team has also visited and cleaned out waterholes, monitored the use of
country around Parnngurr, constructed and used cat traps and monitored rock wallabies
in the Parnngurr area.
“This ranger job is a program for
us Martu.
The elders will teach us and the
young boys about Martu culture.
We will also learn about the
country, it’s a big country.
We’ll learn all about the
waterholes and where they have
been camping and travelling
around. The CSR area right
across. “
“The young fellas, they really enjoy the
work. They want to join in.
Sidney Tinker
We need more boys to work as rangers
now – keep them from going into town
too much. Keep them busy in the
Parnngurr area.
The rangers from Punmu and
Parnngurr can meet up and work on
this good thing. We need to do really
big work – lots of work.
I might be working for 3 or 5 years and
then I’m going to pass it to the young
fellas. They love it.”
Norman Sammy
23
“The ranger team is important for Parnngurr.
We have to look after the CSR and the Jukurrpa places
along there. We look after the waterholes and the hill
areas.
We need to teach all the young people, so they can take
it on then. The girls and boys can look after things.
We want to give them jobs so they can work, not go back
to town. Plenty of work in the desert – keep them in the
community, not in town drinking. They need to work and
help one another.
We want to look after the Parnngurr area east and
west.”
Yanjimi
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Caring for our Country
O
ver 100 Martu from Jigalong, Parnngurr, Punmu and Kunawarritji have been working in this
program in 2010. School students from Parnngurr and Punmu have also been involved in
day trips and have been learning how to track and look after the country from the elders.
The teams have completed over 200 fauna monitoring plots where information was collected
about the different endangered, vulnerable, game and invasive animals found on Martu country.
Over 45 environmental assessments were also conducted to assess how healthy the waterholes
and surrounding vegetation were.
The data has been analysed by the WA Department of Environment and Conservation and
discussions are underway on how we can continue to manage and care for the unique
biodiversity of the Martu landscape.
“Animals are part of the Martu people, they belong
to this country too, same as for Martu people.
Looking after these animals is looking after the
land, our culture – keeping our culture alive.”
Cecilia Taylor
“We take the old people from here and they tell us what
sort of animal it is, what sort of track it is, what sort
of scat they are, what sort of animal makes that scat.
It’s been good that we get involved with the trip and
learn about bush tracks and all the different animals.
We see how many animals we’ve got left. Some of
those animals we can’t find. Some of them are still
alive.”
Carl Marney
25
“All that area over there,
not just one place, Karlamilyi
area, many many animals used
to be there – echidna, bilby,
dragon lizard, thorny devil, rock
wallaby, emu, kangaroos were
everywhere.
There used to be plenty.
We are teaching the young
kids, our grandsons and
granddaughters.
They will know because we
are teaching them from our
country.”
Nancy Chapman
26
Camels
A
fter a year-long consultation, the
Martu decided to allow camel culling
on far away country.
In partnership with WA Department
of Environment and Conservation, WA
Department of Agriculture and Food and
local pastoralists, 5,000 camels and 1,000
donkeys and wild horses were culled
along the Savory Creek and the western
boundary of Martu lands with the pastoral
stations.
Martu traditional owners accompanied
this cull to ensure that the camels were
killed in the right areas – away from water
sources, roads and important places.
“We want to try and get rid of the
camels because they are ruining the
waterholes and springs.
They go and make shit in the
waterholes.
A long time ago it was good but not
now. The animals have nothing to
drink.”
Arthur Samson
27
“The camels have been making the
water no good. We need to get rid
of the camels or put a fence around
all the waterholes, springs and rock
holes to stop them from going in
there.
Sometimes they die in the water
and make the water really no good.
We have to try to do something
about this. We need to try and work
out how to do this.”
Norman Sammy
“The camels are mucking up the
waterholes, and donkeys too.
We might have to kill them.
They are mucking it all up. Then
nothing can drink the water.”
Yanjimi
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Fire
T
he Jigalong ranger team has been
burning country around the Jilakurru
and Kaalpi areas to revitalise the country
and protect the rock art.
The Caring for Country teams also
conduct smaller on ground burning closer
to the communities.
In conjunction with the WA Department
of Environment and Conservation, the
rangers also advised on and monitored
aerial burning using incendiary devices.
Observation flights
Aerial Ignition Lines
Targeted Burn Area
29
“We burn all the spinifex to make all the animals come back, like kipara
(bush turkey), emu, kangaroo and all the little animals so they have the
fresh food.
It brings the bush turkey back again – because there is nothing around
here. We went on the plane to do the burning down on the south side of
Savory Creek.
We saw the old burn there and we did a little bit of new burning to keep the
spinifex low so it can make the country fresh again.”
Arthur Samson
30
Martu Stories
and Archive
K
anyirninpa Jukurrpa collects stories from people
of all ages but particularly from the old people.
The old people are very keen to have their stories
recorded so their grandchildren can remember
them in future years.
Martu also really enjoy looking at old photos.
There is a computer in each community which has
old photos and films on them. The computers
are very popular – the young people work the
computers for the old people and the old people
tell the young people who is in the photos.
“It’s good that we go out on country
– the old people are sharing their
knowledge with us and stories from
a long time ago.
We have to listen to our old people.
We need to carry on the old people’s
stories. We’ve got to listen.
It’s better than going into town and
doing all those things that aren’t
good for us. It’s good for us to stay
here, so we can keep learning what
they teach us and keep our culture
strong.”
Hayley Atkins
3131
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Heritage
Support
K
anyirninpa Jukurrpa has a lot of information
about Martu land – about important places,
about families and about jukurr. We can help
WDLAC to fight for native title rights, by making
sure that they have all of the right information.
When WDLAC has a native title fight, Kanyirninpa
Jukurrpa will give it any important information
about the native title area, we will talk to Martu
about which places are important, we will prepare
maps showing why country is important, and we
will help Martu to understand what the native title
fight is about. In a meeting in Jigalong in early 2010, the
Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa Board and Martu staff said
that this was one of the most important things
that Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa should do – help to
look after country in this way.
We will keep
doing it and
try to do
it even
better.
33
“Mining companies and anyone else who
want to do anything on Martu land need to
understand that our culture hasn’t died.
These places and waterholes go back to our
ancestors. Therefore when we say a place is
important it is important.
They need to understand how important to us
it is because it goes back into the dreamtime.
Places, waterholes even small little creek beds
mean a lot because of the song lines, so it’s
important that mining companies understand
that these things are important because they
go right back into creation.
If I go into someone’s backyard, I have to abide
by the rules of privacy. This is what we are
talking about. I think non-indigenous people
need to understand that things can go bad on
a mining project because the land is a spiritual
land and they need to do it carefully so that
you don’t upset the spirit of the land. It also
upsets the Martu people.”
Brian Samson
34
Cultural
Awareness
T
he Martu Cultural Awareness training
program teaches about Martu people
– their history, culture, society and
challenges.
The workshops are presented by our
Cultural Awareness Coordinator, Naomi
Kozak and our Martu teachers: Peter
Tinker, Joshua Booth and Heather Samson.
They talk about Martu country and Martu
relationship to country, Martu society and
Martu stories.
Clive and Michelle Samson also cook up some
bush tucker like kangaroo tails, chickens and
damper at the Fortescue River for afternoon
tea. The whitefellas enjoy the bush tucker.
Cultural Awareness training currently runs
at least 4-5 times per month for BHP, HWE,
Macmahon and government staff, with
additional one-off courses.
“We are doing the work on cultural
awareness. Martu people want to tell
the whitefellas about Martu so they can
understand what we are talking about in
the Martu language. We show them.
Me and Josh and Heather are doing this
job for whitefellas. They want to know
and ask us questions. We tell them
about Martu culture.
If anybody goes into the desert, then
they know what we are talking about. We
tell them about soaks and waterholes
and Martu history. We tell them about
Jigalong. Then they understand Martu.
We like to do this cultural awareness.”
Peter Tinker
35
“Cultural awareness is to let miners know who we are, and who are the traditional
owners for that Parnpajinya (Newman) area.
The Martu live in Newman but we are caretakers for Newman – Nyiyaparli are the
traditional owners.
We talk about our country (Martu) as well.
They ask us where we were born, we tell them
we were born out in the stock route.
It’s important they know who we are and
where we come from. It’s a good thing to do
– we get friendships straight away.”
Joshua Booth
36
Martu Media
M
artu Media trains young people in digital media technologies.
This has been a busy year. 27 Martu have started their Certificate II training in Filmmaking with
courses delivered in Punmu and Parnngurr. There’s been additional on-the-job training: on the
Jukurrpa Ninti trips, in Sydney with CuriousWorks, in Canberra and Melbourne with Martumili and
FORM as well as out in the communities and in Newman at the Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa office. We have made 12 short films and 2 music videos. Monkey Marc has recorded 13 tracks with Punmu
and Parnngurr bands. We also filmed the opening of the Yiwarra Kuju exhibition in
Canberra. This year isn’t finished yet. We are making some short films with the
rangers and the mankarr (Caring for Country) workers. We are finishing
off Mamu - a short film written and directed by Curtis Taylor. We are also
finishing editing the Martumili artists’ DVD and other short films that have
been shot.
“Martu Media is good because
it is something that the
young people can be
proud of.
It’s the young people’s
project – the young
people can pick up a
camera and make a
story and put it onto
a screen. It’s a young
people’s thing.
It’s good because if
young people want to
come and work with us it
can get them off the grog,
get them out of trouble.
Cutting up a film and
looking at it and seeing it
there on the screen. It’s
a Martu thing.”
Curtis Taylor
37
38
Training
and
Mentoring
K
anyirninpa Jukurrpa has training
programs for Martu and non-Martu
staff and for Martu people in general.
This year, training has been conducted
in Newman, Jigalong, Punmu and
Parnngurr. The program will be
extended to other communities next
year.
The training programs have included
First Aid, four wheel driving, fire
control, animal trapping, technologies
that help record information, welding,
information booth construction, film and
editing techniques, submission writing,
computers and email.
39
“I like working with Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa because I get to
work with all the old people and the old people teach us the
old ways.
They have the knowledge for the country and they are passing it on to all the young people.
I like recording their stories and oral history; it’s always going to be there for us to learn and teach
younger people and for future generations of young people. I get to translate for Manyjilyjarra and
Kartujarra people into English so the stories can be recorded in two languages.
I’ve been learning some computer skills, and answering phones, checking my email, sending email,
doing the calendar and using the fax machine.
I like to work with people I know - family. We get to go on
trips on country and learn about the Jukurrpa and stuff.”
Hayley Atkins
40
Community
Meetings
E
ach Martu community has a Kanyirninpa
Jukurrpa Community Committee. These committees look after all the KJ work
in that community.
The KJ staff consult these committees about
which country people want to visit; talk about
how the different KJ programs are going in
each community; and deal with any problems
in relation to the work done or KJ staff in that
community.
These committees meet prior to the AGM to
decide on who will represent that community
on the KJ board of directors. Newman,
Parnngurr, Jigalong, Punmu, Kunawarritji
have two representatives each and there
are two representatives from the other
communities.
41
42
Supporters
visiting Martu
K
anyirninpa Jukurrpa tries to bring
Government and other supporters out
into Martu country.
In 2010, a number of people from Federal
and State government departments, BHP
Billiton, Greening Australia, the Nature
Conservancy and Rangelands NRM
Coordinating Group went on field trips with
Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa to learn more about
Martu culture and country.
All these people support Kanyirninpa
Jukurrpa’s work. They help Kanyirninpa
Jukurrpa by giving money and expertise,
and want to continue to work with Martu.
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“I thought that the trip was amazingly well organised.
I feel privileged to have been shown around this beautiful
country by people so strongly connected to it and
grateful that we were trusted enough to be shown some
special places.
I also thought it was useful to cover so much country
and impress on potential partners the scope for
‘landscape’ scale investments.”
Peter Jebb
(Department of Environment, Water, Heritage
and the Arts)
“I had a great trip and learnt a lot about the
projects and the project area.
This has been one of the highlights of my time
in Rangelands and I really do hope that we can
repeat the experience next year and look again
at how things are going and the progress
that has been made and continue to develop
opportunities for future work.”
Brian Warren
(NRM Rangelands)
“We are still raving about [the trip] to
everyone we encounter. Amazing country,
great local people (Martu and you guys) and
great work being done with opportunities for
so much more.”
Robert Lambeck
(Greening Australia)
“I now consider that I have a more informed
view of the cultural and environmental issues
for the lands and peoples of the Birriliburu and
Martu Native Title holders.”
Tommy Smith
Indigenous Partnerships Team
Indigenous Policy Branch
44
Talking to
Government
F
or each of the last four years, Martu have
gone to Canberra to talk with politicians,
government officers, agencies and
organisations.
This work has resulted in a raised
awareness of the history and culture of the Martu
people and the success of Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa’s programs.
The people we have met in Canberra have become strong supporters of
the Martu and of Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa. We will be going again this year.
45
“The trip to Canberra was a good trip,
talking to the big government people
telling them the story about the
country and burning.
We told them about the ranger work
and how it’s really important for Martu
to look after the country, keep it fresh
again.
We wanted some money from the
government to keep the projects going.
We want the government to
understand about Martu.”
Arthur Samson
46
Money and Employment
K
anyirninpa Jukurrpa’s income comes mainly from Government grants. In addition,
Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa receives some grant income from companies, and earns income from
activities such as cultural awareness training for mining companies.
KJ Sources of Income 2009/10
• Government Grants
• Other Grants
• Other Income
• Total Income $2,276,000
This chart shows how Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa uses its money across its different program areas.
Around half of Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa’s money is spent on the two land management programs:
the Ranger program and the Caring for our Country program. These are the programs that
provide most of the employment opportunities for Martu. Jukurrpa Ninti trips are also a major
area of expenditure for Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa.
KJ Expenditure by Program Area 2009/10
• Communications $57,600
• Cultural Awareness $63,300
• Culture & Heritage $119.600
• Martu Media $197,800
• Jukurrpa Ninti $233,900
• Administration $336,100
• Caring for our Country $333,800
• Ranger Program $757,400
47
In the year 2009/10, Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa paid $560,000 to Martu who worked for Kanyirninpa
Jukurrpa. This is twice as much as was paid in the previous year. The major increase has been in
payments made to permanent staff, which were three times the level of the previous year.
KJ Payments to Martu
Money
• Casual Work
• Permanent Employees
In 2010, Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa has employed over 200 individual Martu. There are currently
22 Martu employed as permanent staff and 180 have been employed in casual work, in various
capacities.
Number of Martu employed by KJ
People
• Casual Work
• Permanent Employees
48
Kanyirninpa
Jukurrpa Board
Muuki Taylor
Chairperson
Kumpaya Girgiba
Jimmy Williams
Heather Samson
Joshua Booth
Roderick Samson
Anthony Gibbs
Yanjimi Rowlands
Dawn Oates
49
Ned Booth
To the Memory of
Alan Charles
Alan Charles – Martu Elder and Director Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa
M
r Charles died in December 2009. Mr Charles was a wonderful Director and supporter of
Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa.
He was a son to Kirriwiri and Daisy, and in his life he continued the work his parents started. Both
of them were senior, very knowledgeable in the Law and country. Both of them were hard workers
– Kirriwiri travelled all over his country, he taught in the law, he taught about Martu culture, he
taught Martu and whitefellas until he was very old. Daisy worked all her life. Both had a strong
commitment to working hard.
Kirriwiri passed on the importance of continuing Martu work, preserving land and culture. He
adopted and inspired his daughter, Davenport. KJ was born out of Kirriwiri’s work and his
vision. His son, this Jangala, continued this important work for all Martu, all of his life.
Like his father and mother, he understood that Martu need to work in partnership
with whitefellas. He believed that you have to work with them and teach them,
and get them to understand Martu. He was skilled and knowledgeable in Martu law
and country. He was skilled and knowledgeable in the whitefella world. He was
confident and important in both worlds, and brought the two worlds together. He understood that it is important to be able to work in the whitefella world,
but from Martu culture. This is why he was so strong, so important for
KJ. He was a builder – he built bridges between people, working for his
family, for Martu, and for KJ.
He was a kind man – kind to his family (we all know all the
grandchildren he helped look after) and kind to people around
him. He was friendly and happy – always had a story to tell. He
was knowledgeable and thoughtful – when he talked, everybody
listened. When there was trouble or argument, he smoothed it
over. If he said he was going to do something, then he did it. If
he said he was coming to a meeting or cultural awareness, we
could always rely on him. If we said there was a problem, he
would always come to help. If we needed him, we knew that
we could rely on his help and that gave us great strength.
He was kind to us. He told us all the time that he believed
in us and the work we were doing. He was on the KJ
Board, advising and guiding us. He worked hard in cultural
awareness, teaching people. He helped us with language.
He came to Canberra to help us talk to Government about
what KJ needs for Martu. He guided us through problems.
He supported us and taught us. When this man and his wife
Heather came to the KJ office, they didn’t come to humbug
or to ask for things. They came to talk. They came to help.
They came to advise us and guide us and support us. That
is why he is so loved by all the KJ staff.
From all the KJ staff
50
Kanyirninpa
Jukurrpa Staff
Muuki Taylor
Senior Cultural Advisor
Peter See
Senior Consultant, Land Programs
Tim Schneider
Jigalong Ranger Coordinator
Arthur Samson
Jigalong Ranger
Neville Jefferies
Jigalong Ranger
Brian Arnott
Jigalong Ranger
Ashley Simson
Jigalong Ranger
Yanjimi Rowlands
Parnngurr Ranger
Sidney Tinker
Parnngurr Ranger
Hayden Richards
Parnngurr Ranger
51
Peter Johnson
CEO
Sue Davenport
Director, Cultural Programs
Richard Taylor
CFO
Timmy Patterson
Jigalong Ranger
Mark Jefferies
Jigalong Ranger
Gabriel Jefferies
Jigalong Ranger
Ralph Samson
Jigalong Ranger
Richard Goonan
Parnngurr Ranger Coordinator
Norman Sammy
Parnngurr Ranger
Burchell Taylor
Parnngurr Ranger
Jamie Rowlands
Parnngurr Ranger
52
Clare Meyer
GIS Coordinator
Zan King
Land Management Coordinator
Paul Wells
Field Officer
Kylie Wiersma
Field Officer
Sheryl Peterson
Cultural and Heritage Officer
Hayley Atkins
Cultural Preservation and
Cross-cultural Worker
Fiona Webb
Training Coordinator
Heather Samson
Cultural Awareness
Michelle Jackson
Cultural Awareness
Dave Wells
Martu Media Coordinator
Jeremy Sammy
Martu Media
Owen Gibbs
Martu Media
Anthony Gibbs
Martu Media
53
Nicki Everson
Logistics Coordinator
Heather Coburn
Administration Officer
Emma Stock
Cultural and Heritage Officer
Naomi Kozak
Cultural Awareness Coordinator
Joshua Booth
Cultural Awareness
Pija Tinker
Cultural Awareness
Curtis Taylor
Martu Media
Cassandra Nanudie
Martu Media
Bernice Samson
Martu Media
Kalyuku Ninti - Puntuku Ngurra Ltd
trading as Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa
ABN 73 136 673 893
P: 08 9175 5737 | F: 08 9175 5737 | E: [email protected]
PO Box 504 Newman 6753
54
Thank you to our funders
and supporters
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