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Palpirr / Parlpirr / Parlpinypa / Jiparri / Kumpulpija (Fitzroy Wattle, Pindan Wattle, Fish Hook Wattle, and Shiny Leaved Wattle)

Palpirr, otherwise known as parlpirr, parlpinypa, jiparri, and kumpulpija (fitzroy wattle, pindan wattle, fish hook wattle, and shiny leaved wattle), is an acacia shrub with long, narrow, olive coloured leaves. It produces soft, spiked golden flowers before giving way to slightly curved oblong seed pods. Once dried in hot ashes, the seeds can be ground to a paste and eaten with caution, as too much of the paste causes headaches. The plant also has medicinal properties; its leaves can be chewed and placed on burns to aid healing.

During the pujiman (traditional, desert dwelling) period, Martu would traverse very large distances annually in small family groups, moving seasonally from water source to water source, and hunting and gathering bush tucker as they went. Whilst desert life has moved away from mobile hunter-gatherer subsistence throughout the course of the twentieth century, bush tucker continues to be a significant component of the modern Martu diet. Hunting and gathering bush tucker remains equally valuable as an important cultural practice that is passed on intergenerationally. Though hunting and gathering implements have been modernised, methods of harvesting, tracking and the use of fire burning to drive animals from their retreats are still commonly practiced today.

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

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