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Published by CompNet Systems on

Walu 99yr lease

Painting by Winston Mitchell This painting was directed by Winston Mitchell to commemorate the 99-year cultural lease of the Walu site. Walu Rockhole, north of Papulankutja (Blackstone), is an important water source in the Gibson Desert and a central meeting place for Yarnangu families. The site connects with surrounding Tjukurrpa (Dreaming) places and remains vital for cultural practices, knowledge sharing, and community identity. In recent years Winston has worked with the Ngaanyatjarra Land and Culture Rangers to strengthen cultural access to Walu. At the 40-year anniversary of the lease, he helped lead a gathering that grew from 30 people to more than 130, including community members and Ngaanyatjarra Council leaders. This painting celebrates not just the site itself but the recognition of Yarnangu custodianship over generations to come. The 99-year lease secures community access to Walu and its surrounding Dreaming sites, ensuring these connections are protected, celebrated, and passed on.

Categories: Papulankutja Artists

Name: Maureen Douglas

Language: Pitjantjatjara

Community: Amata

Biography:

Maureen Douglas was born in 1966 and is a senior Pitjantjatjara artist known for her powerful paintings and intricate woven baskets. Originally born in Amoonguna and raised in Warburton, Maureen has lived across several communities, including Papulankutja and Amata, where she developed her skills in batik and painting. She is a longstanding member of Tjala Arts, where she paints Anumara Tjukurpa (Caterpillar Dreaming), her father’s Country. While Maureen now lives in Amata, her deep connection to her mother’s Country brings her to Papulankutja (Blackstone), where she paints the Kungkarrangkalpa (Seven Sisters) Tjukurpa connected to Kuru Ala, a significant women's site for which her mother, Angilyiya Mitchell, is a Traditional Owner. During her time in Blackstone, Maureen has been painting this important story alongside her mother, continuing the intergenerational sharing of knowledge and women’s cultural law.

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