Article: Palyawanungku Palyantjaku Project: (‘doing it in a good way’)
Palyawanungku Palyantjaku Project: (‘doing it in a good way’)
When children and families face complex challenges, the right support matters. The Palyawanungku Palyantjaku Project brings the strength of Anangu/Yarnangu leadership to shaping what that support should look like.
From the beginning, the work has been guided by a core group of 12 Anangu/Yarnangu women from across the NPY region. These women bring cultural authority, lived experience, and deep knowledge of community life. Their leadership has shaped every stage of the project, ensuring it remains grounded in Anangu/Yarnangu priorities and ways of working.
Pictured: Back L-R - Tanya Luckey, Katie Kitson, Regina Mckay, Louise Tucker, Veronica Lewis, NPYWC employee Beverlyne Malova, Anangu Project Support Worker Rachael Stubbs, Aileen Brady. Front L-R - NPYWC Annelise Alphonse, Margaret Smith, Maimie Butler, Wanatjura Lewis, Maureen Baker, Vivian Thompson
The project began with deep listening across communities - hearing from families about their strengths, challenges, and hopes. Through workshops, bush picnics and community discussions, more than 75 Anangu/Yarnangu helped map what life looks like for families today.
This process led to the creation of a shared Theory of Change, expressed through a powerful metaphor: a Tree known as the Palyawanungku Palyantjaku Punu.
“Punu nganampa life munu kurunpa. Ngananala kurunta ngaranyi Anangu tjuta alpamilatjikitja. Nganampa punu tjukurpa tjuta tjara Anangu-Ku way.
The tree is our life, our spirit, It’s always in our hearts. It’s here to help people. Our Tree got lots of stories. It’s Anangu way.”
- Wanatjura Lewis, core group member
Pictured: A visual representation of the Tree’s structure.
The Tree represents the journey of Anangu/Yarnangu families. Its roots reflect deep cultural knowledge and strengths, the trunk shows what is needed to support families today, and the branches and their bearings represent the future the women want to grow.
Key priorities include strengthening Anangu/Yarnangu leadership in decision-making, improving collaboration between Anangu/Yarnangu and non-Indigenous staff, expanding two-way learning and cultural education, supporting young people’s pathways between school and work, and strengthening organisational systems within NPYWC to better support families.
"Nganana wangkangi punu nguru wata kapi ungkuntja. Punu pakara nyarpitjararikula healthy ngarantjaku. Family alpamilatjaku, tjitji ottumankutjaku mum wiru way nyinantjaku.
Talking about the tree. Watering the roots. Growing the tree to become good healthy leaves. Helping family to look after the kids to stay better way. To help little ones to grow up good and healthy. Look after the next generations.”
- Wanatjura Lewis, core group member
The women have emphasised that this knowledge is not new. It has always existed and belongs to Anangu/Yarnangu. As they remind us, the roots must be protected, the words must not be lost, and the Tree must continue to grow strong for future generations.
