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Article:Minyma Tjuta Kunpu Mulapa! Happy 2019 International Women's Day!
Minyma Tjuta Kunpu Mulapa! Happy 2019 International Women's Day!
NPY Women’s Council has proudly advocated for Anangu women throughout the Central Desert Region since 1980. Since NPY Women’s Councils inception 38 years ago, our organisation has been lead by women with a strong vision to address issues directly effecting women in the Ngaanyatjarra, Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara region. Awareness of the importance of women’s voices in governance and decision making has always been priority for our organisation. We are continually guided by our values, to deliver on our purpose and ensure we deliver for and to our community, more and better choices; a good life for all Anangu.
For International Women’s Day 2019 our directors and staff would like to highlight the tireless work of Naomi Kantjurinyi, a key member of our Ngangkari team:
Naomi is a prolific artist, hunter, basket maker and wood carver, represented in many public art collections. She is also well known for her extensive knowledge of the Tjukurpa of her country, as well a highly regarded ngangkari (traditional healer). She is a devoted grandmother and has a special interest in the health and wellbeing of children. She is a long time member of NPY Women’s Council Ngangkari team and her story features in the book ‘Traditional Healers of Central Australia: Ngangkari’. She paints for Tjala Arts and her fibre art can be purchased at Tjanpi Desert Weavers.
Last week NPY Women’s Council launched the new Strategic Plan that covers the period from 2019-2023.
This document outlines the critical guidelines that define the intentions of our organisation to progress and grow into the future and to deliver services that will best serve Anangu women and children in our region.
The digital document is freely available to download in the link below.
This version is intended to be viewed on devices as a digital representation of the plan and is not intended to be printed as it would require a substantial amount of printer ink.
A printable version will be accessible in the PUBLICATIONS>KEY DOCUMENTS section of our website.
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
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.
