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‘Alpiri’ is a form of motivational or instructional speech traditionally used in the early morning in Anangu camps. Usually an elder would get up early to broadcast a message to people waking in the camp. In the Alpiri video series, we have produced short videos in which senior Anangu leaders send messages out to viewers. Produced over several days at Eagle Valley outside of Docker River, this project was brought together at the request of Pantjiti McKenzie in an effort to highlight the importance of this traditional practice.
This project was made possible with funding from the Community Broadcasting Foundation and features Rene Kulitja, Roy Yaltjangki, Simon Butler, Peter Mitchell, Maringka Burton, Nininka Lewis and Ilawanti Ken.
NPY Women’s Council is very thankful to ICTV for hosting and broadcasting the collection of videos which can be found at the link below:
Pantjiti Unkari Mckenzie was awarded the Order of Australia Medal on the 26th of January for “service to the Indigenous community of the Northern Territory”, on Friday the 5th of April NPY Women’s Council hosted the official ceremony to celebrate this amazing achievement.
Pantjiti has spent much of her life living in the Ernabella Community. Pantjiti and her husband set up EVTV which made films on many subjects. She estimates that they made over a thousand films. They also worked for PY Media on the Broadcasting for Remote Aboriginal Community Services program (BRACS). Pantjiti enjoys acting. She has appeared in films about bush tucker, bush medicine, the Seven Sisters and she also performed in the stage play, Ngapartji Ngapartji.
A skilled artist in paint, batik and weaving tjanpi (grass) baskets and a teacher of the Pitjantjatjara language, Pantjiti is also a traditional healer or ngangkari, specialising in treating women’s problems. Her work in archiving and sharing knowledge around cultural heritage are renowned. Recently Pantjiti worked on the Smiling Mind Meditation app with the Uti Kulintjaku team.
Pantjiti was presented with her OAM medal by the Administrator of the Northern Territory, Her Honour the Honourable Vicki O’Halloran AM.
The official ceremony was followed by performances from the Central Australian Aboriginal Women’s Choir and and inma lead by Rene Kulitja and _____
NPY Women’s Council is very proud to have such a long and close relationship with Pantjiti and was extremely happy to host such a prestigious occasion recognising such a vital strong woman!
Thanks to everyone who attended and staff who worked behind the scenes!
Pantjiti McKenzie’s OAM medal
Mayor Damien Ryan, Acting CEO Liza Balmer, Besse Liddle, Hon Dale Wakefield, Pantjiti McKenzie OAM, Honourable Vicki O’Halloran AM, Dr Patricia Miller AO
The Honourable Vicki O’Halloran AM with Pantjiti McKenzie OAM
The Honourable Vicki O’Halloran AM with Pantjiti McKenzie OAM
Catherine Liddle welcoming those in attedance to country
Tinpulya Mervin and Ilawanti Ken lead the singing for the inma
Rene Kulitja and Angela Watson performing inma for Pantjiti’s ceremony
Pantjiti addressing the crowd after receiving her medal
The Honourable Vicki O’Halloran AM
The Honourable Vicki O’Halloran AM with Pantjiti McKenzie OAM
Pantjiti with her grand children and great grand children and the Honourable Vicki O’Halloran AM
Pantjiti with NPY Women’s Council Directors Rene Kulitja, Wanatjura Lewis, Julie Anderson and Margaret Smith
Pantjiti with her son Jacob McKenzie
The Central Australian Aboriginal Women’s Choir performed after the formal component of the ceremony
Pantjiti with members of the Ngangkari team : Ilawanti Ken, Tinpulya Mervin, Peter Mitchell, and Naomi Kantjurinyi
Mayor Damien Ryan and the Hon Dale Wakefield were in attendance to witness the ceremony
Pantjiti McKenzie with the Central Australian Aboriginal Women’s Choir
Rowena, Pantjiti and Jacob
Jacob, Pantjiti and Joshua McKenzie with Tjanika and Tjiniya
Senior artist Rene Kulitja and Ngangkari Pantjiti Lewis have return from their trip to London. Rene and Pantjiti along with Ngangkari Program Manager Angela Lynch, travelled to the UK to attend the opening of The Art of Healing: Australian Indigenous Bush Medicine a touring exhibition currently housed at the prestigious King’s College in London.
Rene and Pantjiti were honoured guests and presented lectures explaining Anangu healing practices, mental health and ngangkari traditions.
Between formal appointments Rene and Pantjiti managed to also visit Australia House, the British Museum, and lots and lots of art galleries!
NPY Women’s Council is very proud of Rene and Pantjiti as well as the Ngangkari program – who once again have highlighted the importance of traditional healing practices not just for Anangu but throughout the world!
The Art of Healing is open until the 28th of June at Bush House Arcade, London
Rene and Pantjiti out and about in London!
Rene and Pantjiti admiring the view from Australia House
Rene and Pantjiti admiring Ilawanti Ken’s Tjanpi nest in the window of King’s College on The Strand in London.
Rene Kulitja blending in at Notting Hill!
NPY Women's Council is grounded in, and continues to live and work on, the sovereign Lands of the Arrernte people, and the Aṉangu and Yarnangu people - the rightful custodians of the Ngaanyatjarra, Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara Lands.
