“This is all the different skin groups coming together, they having a meeting about a couple that was wrong way. The circles are the elders and the one in the middle is the couple.”
– Rosetta Wilberforce
Name: Rosetta Wilberforce
Language: Martu Wangka
Biography:
I was born here in Newman. I lived with Mr Tinker, my grandfather. He’s an important elder here in town. I went away to Marble Bar to live for a while after that. It’s a good place, but it’s too hot! We’d go swimming in the waterholes, getting minta (edible gum), hunting for goanna and kangaroo, and fishing. It was good. My other grandfather, Colin Peterson, he took me to Kunawarritji community then so I could learn to speak Martu Wangka. My first language is English. I learned about Martu culture, dancing, and following the right skin group. I went to Punmu high school, near to Kunawarritji. I came back to Jigalong community and went to school there too. I liked moving around a lot, seeing a different lot of faces, getting to know the families.
I’ve been in Newman a long time now, but I only just started painting here at Martumili. My uncle Jason Tinker is teaching me dot painting, telling stories about it. It’s good painting- better than doing nothing!
Puntawarri Country “This is Puntawarri country. That Nyiyaparli creek, Kupayiyura (Savory Creek), coming into putijarra country. Kupayiyura goes to kumpupirntily (Lake Disappointment). All the jurnu (soakwaters0 are along the side of the creek: how many… Read more…
Untitled This is Mayiwalku’s Country- her ‘ngurra’ (home Country, camp). People identify with their ngurra in terms of specific rights and responsibilities, and the possession of intimate knowledge of the physical and cultural properties of one’s Country. Read more…
Coongan Waters “This is that place where the water stops and has pools in the dry season. You can see that gold across there and the gemstones, all gemstones, these ones next to the gold, Read more…