111582383999

Published by on

Pilbara Communities

The traditional lands of the Martu people encompass the Great Sandy Desert and Rudall River regions of Western Australia, and include speakers of Manyjilyjarra, Warnman, Kartujarra, Putijarra and Martu Wangka languages. Since the 1980’s Return to Country movement, many Martu have chosen to live in remote Aboriginal Communities, including Punmu, Parnngurr, Kunawarritji, Jigalong, Irrungadji (Nullagine), and Warralong. Here, Martu are able to live a life where connections to Country can be best maintained. 

Sites for modern day Aboriginal communities were designated for their close proximity to good spring water, their significance as historical and cultural sites, and for their relevance to particular family groups. Most communities contain an office, community store, school, health clinic, art shed, mechanics workshop, sports field, and areas for gathering during ceremonial events. Kuulkaja (community schools) were in many instances one of the first spaces to be established when the communities were formed. They are recognised as being at the heart of each community, and play an important role in keeping culture, Country and language strong.

Life in community is unique; the distance between communities and major centres means few outside visitors pass through, travel between communities and towns is via long 4WD journeys or on the mail plane, fresh fruits and vegetables are relatively scarce, and up until recently telephone communication was limited to a few fixed landlines and community phone booths. Whilst these communities are continually being modernised, Country remains central to community life, both physically and culturally.

Categories: Shire of East Pilbara (Martumili Artists)

Name: Joan Lever

Biography:

"Mum was in Moore River Settlement from when she was a young girl, but not for terribly long because she went to New Norcia. Then she left, that’s when she went to Moora, and that’s where she had me and the other kids. Two sisters and three brothers. I’m the oldest girl.

We lived around Moore River Settlement for a long time. Then me and my brothers and sisters were placed in the mission at New Norcia. The Native Welfare checked on all the families to place the children in St. Joseph’s orphanage at New Norcia. I would see my mother about three times a year. She’d take us out to the shop then have to take us back. I think the institution didn’t want to lose you. Everything was tough.

I got educated at the orphanage. At school my favourite subject was art. We used to draw and paint landscapes. Mainly painting. In the last few years, when I finished grade 7, that’s when you were put to work. We all worked in the laundry, all the big girls. I worked there at the laundry about three years, then left when I was fifteen.

Then I lived in Dongara for a couple of years, where I met my husband. We moved to Marble Bar. My daughter and my son were born in Marble Bar. I kept painting when I went to Marble Bar. I would paint what I saw there, mostly the scenery. I painted with another lady there, she taught me some things.

It's nice therapy painting- everything sort of goes on with the canvas."

- Joan Lever

Related Posts

Shire of East Pilbara (Martumili Artists)

111582384007

Nyinpingka Nyinpingka, know as native fuchsia in English, is a small to medium shrub that produces pink flowers. Usually after good rains Nyinpingka prolifically produces bright pink flowers that you can pull off the bush and Read more…

Shire of East Pilbara (Martumili Artists)

111582383993

Willy Willy The term willy willy describes small whirlwinds or dust devils, and is believed to have come from an Aboriginal language in Western Australia. During the pujiman period, Martu would traverse very large distances annually in Read more…

Shire of East Pilbara (Martumili Artists)

111582384017

Tuwa (Sandhills) The traditional lands of the Martu people encompass the Great Sandy Desert and Rudall River regions of Western Australia, an enormous tract dominated by distinctive red tali, or tuwa (sandhills). These sandhills present Read more…

© the artist / art centre