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Mangala Country

“My painting is a landscape of my father’s Country, Mangala Country. The running river (Jila) and all the dots are rocks and green grass. Blue one Stream with the green grass and white rocks. I have been there a couple of years ago with our people, the Mangala. We went to go see the Country, and it cleared and opened my mind. I felt happy and sad at the same time. I felt the spirit around the Country.”

-Veronica Yanawana

Mangala Country lies at the top of the Great Sandy Desert of Western Australia. It is a vast landscape of red sand, spinifex, waterholes and salt lakes. This Country holds strong stories, and for Veronica, painting it is a way of keeping her connection alive and sharing her father’s Country with others.

Categories: Bidyadanga Aboriginal Community LaGrange Inc

Name: Veronica Yanawana

Language: Mangala

Community: Bidyadanga

Biography:

"My father came out from the desert to Bidyadanga a long time ago. He came from Kakarra, from the Great Sandy Desert. He worked at the mission, and my mum did too. My mum and dad met here at La Grange Mission. My mum is also Mangala."

- Veronica Yanawana

Veronica lives in Bidyadanga Community with her family. She grew up in Bidyadanga and spent some of her school years at La Grange, followed by her senior schooling in Broome at Nulungu College. Veronica belongs to the Mangala language group on her mother’s side. She paints her Country, Mangala Country, often including Johanna Springs. Veronica began painting when TAFE was in the community and has continued to develop her practice, creating works that celebrate her connection to Country and her cultural heritage.

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