CEO Andrea Mason attends IAC meetings and Closing the Gap events in Canberra

NPY Women’s Council and Tjanpi Desert Weavers are proud to announce the acquisition by Australian Parliament House of Niningka Lewis’ artwork Australian Coat of Arms: We were there and we are here.

The artwork, which was recently on display at Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory in Darwin as a finalist in the 2018 Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards, will now become part of the Parliament House Art Collection in Canberra.

Ms Lewis is a senior artist from Pukatja (Ernabella) on the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands of South Australia. Since Tjanpi’s inception in 1995 she has been a pioneering weaver and sculptor and is also an acclaimed punu (wood carving) artist and painter.

Ms Lewis said: “This work represents Tjukurpa (the foundation of Anangu life and society) and Nguraritja (sovereignty and traditional ownership), strength of culture, and the abundance of landscape which has nurtured and sustained us since ancient times. It also reflects on Anangu youth experiencing jail brutality, and demands that we, the original people of this land, be treated with respect.”

Acting Director, Parliament House Art Collection, Ms Samantha Pollock, said Parliament House was proud to welcome the artwork Australian Coat of Arms into the national collection.

“It is a remarkable work by Niningka Lewis,” Ms Pollock said, “and an ideal addition to our collection that proudly showcases the best of Australian art and artists, including more than 600 works by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders from every state or territory.”

The artwork is expected to go on public display at Parliament House, Canberra as part of the 2019 exhibition program.

Wangka kutjunguru pukulapringula Symposium nganampa wirunya nganana palyantja!

“It makes us happy to gather together at the symposium and share great ideas!”

This year’s NPYWC Symposium was a celebration of the achievements of all departments over the last 12 months and an important forum to discuss NPY Women’s Council’s vision for the future.

The theme of this year’s symposium was “Your Value, My Value, Our Value Together” which was evident in the various presentations and workshops throughout the two days.

NPY Women’s Council’s commitment to becoming a trauma informed workplace has been a critical discussion between both Anangu staff and clients as well as piranpa (non-Anangu) staff allowing a structure of care, understanding and compassion to become a firm priority across the organisation. The Uti Kulintjaku mens group discussed in depth the ground breaking work they have been doing to encourage engagement between senior men and young men around all aspects of trauma and healing. The Uti Kulintjaku ladies presented their strategies for self care – including a guided meditation session.

The Symposium displayed NPY Women’s Council’s dedication to language and culture with many activities based around piranpa (non-Anangu) staff expanding their vocabulary in Pitjantjatjara – guided by Director’s and translators.

NPY Women’s Council is very grateful for all guest speakers who attended including:

Dr Craig San Roque PhD

Dr Marcus Talbart (Psychiatrist – head of mental health service in Central Australia)

Rod Moss (local artist & author)

Blythe McAuley, Program Manager, Therapeutic Care Program, Australian Childhood Foundation

Hon. Dale Wakefield MLA (NT Minister for Territory Families, Minister for Renewables, Energy & Essential Services)

Robyn Shaw from Tangentyere Design Architects

Tony Messenger and Kevin Johnson from the Larapinta Extreme Walk fundraising project