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Mulyamiji

The Mulyamiji or Great Desert Skink is a large burrowing skink found across Martu country, with reddish-brown scales and a yellow underbelly. Traditionally a food source during pujiman (traditional, desert dwelling) times and deeply connected with lore and Jukurrpa (Dreamtime) stories, mulyamiji are now a threatened species. Martu work extensively across the Western Desert through the KJ (Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa) ranger program to monitor, survey and preserve mulyamiji along with many other threatened species.

Categories: Shire of East Pilbara (Martumili Artists)

Name: Alysha Taylor

Language: Warnman

Biography:

"My name is Alysha Taylor. I am one of the Martumili workers. I have been working at Martumili for two years now. Yeah I love working with the old people. Some of the workers will mix paint or do some stretching, making lunch for the old people. This makes me feel happy inside.

I was born in Broome but grew up in Parnngurr and Bidyadanga. My mum’s side of the family is down at Bidyadanga, and my dad’s side of the family is at Parnngurr. I would travel back and forth between Parnngurr and Bidyadanga to see my family. I did my schooling in those communities, and also in Port Hedland. Then we moved down to Perth where I went to Mirrabooka Senior High.

I like to go travelling to have fun, doing crazy things like skydiving and bungee jumping! I like to go out to communities to see my family, visit them. I used to help my grandfather and grandmother, Kanu (Karnu Taylor (dec.)) and Wokka Taylor do painting and learn from them."

- Alysha Taylor

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© the artist / art centre