Published: 2 Sep 2021
Check out this cool new resource by the Uti Kulintjaku Watiku (Thinking Clear Men’s group) from the Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara in far north west South Australia and the Ngaanyatjarra Lands just over the border into Western Australia.
Tjanimaku Tjukurpa (Tjanima’s Story) was written for young men, for their families and communities, as well as for anyone working with Yarngangu/ Anangu, seeking to better understand mental health, trauma and healing.
It is really awesome to see that part of Tjanima’s healing comes from being on, and looking after, country as a Land Manager (or ranger). By looking after country, country looks after its people, and one of the ways to do that is by being an Indigenous Ranger! Rangers are often mentored by, or are themselves senior people, whose understanding of the Law, the land, and all the animals and plants that belong to it go back thousands of years.
Rangers are held as a source of great pride in Indigenous communities, and the work they do should be a source of great pride for all of Australia too!
This story project is a product of the ever evolving and caring work that groups like Uti Kulintjaku, Indigenous rangers, and Indigenous Organisations put in to ensuring that their young people continue to care for their culture, country and kin into the future. We celebrate the ways in which Indigenous Australians have been caring for country for thousands of years, and that they continue to do so in old ways and new ways.
Please follow this link which will take you to the NPY Women's Council website where you can buy Tjanimaku Tjukurrpa. The book is written in Ngaanyatjarra/ English and Pitjantjatjarra/ English. A book too special to miss!
Walykumunu, palya!