Katimalkuya Yawulyu
kamu kulintjurratjitjilu
makarrmanulkutjananya.
They will hold onto their Women's Law
and teach their children
and make them strong.
Introducing Kapululangu
The Kapululangu Aboriginal Women’s Association is the sole women’s organisation for Balgo (aka Wirrimanu) community in the Kutjungka/Tjurabalan region of the South-East Kimberley, Western Australia. Balgo is 40 km west of the Northern Territory border, on the northern end of the Tanami Track which runs north-west of Alice Springs to Halls Creek.
Kapululangu is an initiative of the women elders of Balgo and was established by them to assist them to enjoy and teach their Indigenous Law (philosophy) and Culture (customs/practices).
Kapululangu's commitment is to “Revitalise Women’s Culture, [and] Care for Women and Community”.
Established in April 1999, Kapululangu became incorporated as an independent organisation on 3 August that same year. Kapululangu traces its history back to 1983.
Kapululangu’s greatest strength is the Law and Culture knowledge and skills of its women elders. Its membership consists of local Aboriginal women and girls of all ages.
The Kapululangu Women's Law and Culture Centre is located on the Balgo Women’s Law Ground or women's ceremony ground.
This area consists of three main buildings: the “Tutjuku Tjilimi” (Women’s House), “Kapululangu House” (office and coordinator’s residence); and the Culture Shed which includes a Keeping Place for the tarruku (sacred ritual items).
Chairwoman: Ruby Darkie Nangala
ViceChair: Yintjurru Margaret Anjule (Bumblebee) Napurrula
Vice-Chair: Marie Mudgedell Nakamarra
Kapululangu Founder: Yintjurru Margaret Anjule (Bumblebee) Napurrula
Founding-Coordinator: Dr Zohl dé Ishtar (Irish-Australian)
Contact Details:
Kapululangu Aboriginal Women’s Association
Kapululangu Women's Achievements
Tjilimi – women elders living together on the Balgo Women’s Law Ground
Support for women’s Law and Culture activities, including annual Law Time cycle
Tjarrtjurra – Traditional Women’s Healing Service for women, men and children
Safe refuge for women and children
Culture Classes for Girls on the Women’s Law Group
Culture Camps for girls and boys with the male elders – teaching bush skills
Monthly ceremonies on the Balgo Women’s Law Ground
Logistical support for the Balgo Women’s Law Camps
Dancing Troupe – touring regionally, nationally and internationally (Hawaii andCanada)
Travelling along Dreaming Tracks performing rituals
Weekly hunting and bush medicine gathering trips
Documentation, internet, radio and film making
Daily assistance to the women elders – shopping and attending the clinic, etc.
Advocacy for local women and liaising with government departments
Coordination, administration and grant writing service
Cultural Training for Kartiya (Non-Indigenous people) .....
Challenging Social Issues in Balgo
Kapululangu’s elders believe that their young ones who turn to petrol sniffing, self-harm and suicide are doing so from a diminished self-esteem resulting from a rupture in their culture heritage, and a loss of contact with their land-based traditions.
From the elders’ perspective, all attempts to solve the myriad social problems in Balgo will be impotent unless they are backed by a strong sense of pride in the one’s Aboriginality.
For the Kapululangu elders, their own Law and culture must form the bedrock upon which the bricks of education, health, housing and employment are built. While they are all important they cannot stand alone.
It is imperative that the women elders’ cultural knowledge and spirited determination be included in all future strategies and interventions.
Circles of Cultural Learning
An Indigenous women's cultural initiative
for advancing health and social wellbeing
Wirrimanu/Balgo, Western Australia
The Circles of Cultural Learning is an inter-generational cultural education, healing, safety and community development program based on a whole-of-community, whole-of-life approach.
This is a continuation of the successful Kapululangu Women’s Law and Culture Centre model as a learning place for women and girls.
Kapululangu is uniquely positioned to contribute something very vital to any strategic attempt to rectify the current health and social problems facing Balgo residents: the cultural knowledge held by the women elders.
The Circles of Cultural Learning will utilize Indigenous ways of knowing, learning and teaching across generations and will be embedded in Indigenous knowledges, both traditional and contemporary. The activities will be embedded in communal everyday life.
Anchoring the women elders as the main teachers of cultural knowledge, this project will draw on their unique expertise, skills and knowledge. The elders will be assisted by the middle-generation women to provide tutoring for four distinct groups: young women, girls, school children (including prepubescent boys), and toddlers and babies.
The project’s primary objective is to maintain the enjoyment of Indigenous cultural practices through community involvement at all levels. This will aid towards advancing health, social wellbeing and active citizenship.
"Aboriginal Women Have Answers Themselves"
REPORT ON THE BALGO WOMEN’S LAW CAMP BLUE HILL 24-27 AUGUST 2007
Over 100 women and girls joined in the Balgo Women’s Law Camp at Blue Hill from 25-27 August. For four days they celebrated women’s Law ceremonies. It was an opportunity for women elders to “mend” (revitalise) their Women’s Law (Yawulyu) through engaging with the Tjukurrpa (cosmos/Dreaming) and passing their knowledge on to their younger generations.
The women elders and “middle-aged” women were concerned for the well-being of their younger generations and for all members of their families and community but particularly the children and youth. They were upset about recent the events in their community which had highlighted the issue of child sexual abuse and they wanted to do something to stop it. They felt that the problems were occurring because their younger generations had lost connection with their cultural heritage, with their land and thus with themselves.
From the Kapululangu elders’ perspective the only thing that could heal the rift between Tjukurrpa and self was the practice of Women’s Law. Custodians of strong Law, the Kapululangu elders are the tjarrtjurra (healers) and nintipuka (teachers) of their communities. The well-being of their families and communities weigh on heavily on their shoulders. They wanted to “grow up” their younger generations: “strong for Law, strong for Culture”. They would achieve this through ceremony.
The elders also wanted to talk about the problems in their communities, with the aim of identifying strategies of how to eradicate those problems. The Law Camp was a response to recent government – State (Perth) and Federal (Canberra) – interventions in Aboriginal communities in Western Australia and the Northern Territory. The elders wanted to show the governments that “Women have answers themselves”.
As one Kapululangu elders Yintjurru Margaret Anjule Napurrula said, “We have to show this government that we have strong Law here. They can’t rubbish it. We have got strong Law ourselves”.
The Law Camp calls on the governments to support and fund the Kapululangu Aboriginal Women’s Association as a matter of urgency. Kapululangu requires funding for its cultural programs for youth and children, particularly the Circles of Cultural Learning initiative, and the provision of a Safe House in Balgo for women and children in need. Kapululangu has been without funding for six years. It is still waiting on government funding promised for 2005 and 2006. Equally, Kapululangu calls on governments to fund and support Aboriginal women’s initiatives and projects in every community: “Local Strategies for Local Problems”.
The Report consists of three parts: Background to the Kapululangu Aboriginal Women’s Association; Report on the Balgo Women’s Law Camp; Report on the Meeting held at the Balgo Women’s Law Ground.
Issues discussed at the formal meeting included: Indigenous Law and Culture; Child sexual abuse and neglect; Youth; Violence against women and children; Truancy; Alcohol, Drugs and Gambling; Elders rights; Health matters; Traditional healing; Policing; and Parenting.
Partnering Kapululangu
Kapululangu Elders and Directors welcome and invite partnership in their creative and courageous project to care for their grandchildren and great-grannies.
Kapululangu welcomes all offers of partnership in the many forms that it can take: including sharing of skills, time and energy.
Kapululangu's Current Partners are:
Department of Family, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (Cwlth)
Quaker Service Australia
Department of Indigenous Affairs Western Australia
Smyl Community Services
Kapululangu thanks its grantors.
(Young Women's Law Camp, April 2008)
DONATIONS FOR KAPULULANGU
If you would like to help Kapululangu please make a donation directly to the Kapululangu bank account.
Kapululangu's bank details are:
Kapululangu Aboriginal Women's Association
Commonwealth Bank, Kununurra Branch
BSB: 066530 --- ACN:10107707
Please send an email to z.deishtar@uq.edu.au to let us know the full details (including amount deposited and your contact details) so that we can thank you and send a receipt.
Kapululangu is an incorporated organisation with charitable status. All donations of $2 and above are tax deductable.
You can learn more about Kapululangu by reading
Holding Yawulyu: White Culture and Black Women's Law
This book, written by our founding-coordinator Zohl de Ishtar, tells the story of the Kapululangu women and their innovative cultural program.
You can order a copy of Holding Yawulyu: White Culture and Black Women's Law at http://www.spinifexpress.com.au/
You can also read about Zohl at her blogsite at http://zohldeishtar.blogspot.com/
Kapululangu News
20 June 2009
A Tenth Birthday Present: Canberra Government Says “Yes” To Kapululangu
Kapululangu was given a great 10th Birthday present when it got really good news last week. The Australian Government in Canberra has agreed to give Kapululangu some money so that we can keep going over the next year. The greatest news is that this money will come to Kapululangu direct. This is the first money that the government has given directly to Kapululangu in ten years. This is a great 10 Birthday present. It gives Kapululangu Elders and Directors another year to keep on making their organisation strong.
Kapululangu Thanks Wirrimanu Board
Kapululangu women thank the Directors of the Wirrimanu Aboriginal Corporation for supporting us over the past year. It has been a very important year. The money the government gave to WAC for Kapululangu helped our women to run lots of Law and Culture activities over the past year. This helped the government decide to give women’s money to Kapululangu itself. Kapululangu would also like to congratulate the WAC Directors for a very successful year. On 17 June, the WAC Board celebrated its first birthday. All the WAC Directors have done a really good job working together to run Balgo community. Thanks!
Kapululangu Hosts Meeting with Government People
Last Tuesday, Kapululangu’s Elders and Directors hosted guests from the Australian Canberra and Western Australian Perth governments at a meeting on the Women’s Law Ground. Thirteen Kapululangu women talked to our guests about the importance of Kapululangu, about wanting to teach Law and Culture to the young women and children, and about how to make sure that Kapululangu keeps strong for many years to come. Our guests said that they would see how they could help Kapululangu.
Want to Have Fun? Kapululangu is Looking for CDEP Workers
Kapululangu is looking for women and men who want to be on CDEP. There’s four positions available to Kapululangu. But they need to be filled by Tuesday 30 June. There’s lots of work to do at Kapululangu – and some of it is very exciting. There are jobs at Kapululangu for men as well as women. You can:
help look after the Women’s Law House
run cultural activities after school with young girls
make a vegetable garden to provide fresh food
collect firewood for the Kapululangu elders and others
If you have another idea let us know – there’s a place in Kapululangu for it.
If you want to work with Kapululangu you need to register before Tuesday 30 June. That’s only one week from now. If you want to get a CDEP job with Kapululangu please let Zohl or Maggie know soon.
6 June 2009
Balgo Women’s Law Camp was Very Powerful!
The Balgo Women’s Law Camp, held from 27 May to 2 June, was very powerful for everyone involved. Eighty women lived together on the Blue Hill Law Ground for six days of ceremony. Women came from Balgo, Mulan, Kururrungku/Billiluna, Ringer Soak, Fitzroy Crossing, Halls Creek, Broome, Perth, Sydney, Brisbane, Lismore (NSW) and Maleny (Qld). They were Aboriginal and Kartiya/non-Indigenous women. We also had four young women from Balgo, and three young Kartiya women (one from Maleny and two from Perth).
This was the third women’s camp at Blue Hill. It follows on from the first Balgo Women’s Law Camp in August 2007 and the Young Women’s Culture Camp in April 2008.
It was the most important Law Camp that Kapululangu has ever held. It was an important time for “growing up women: Strong for Law, Strong for Culture”. There were so many ceremonies. There was a lot of dancing and singing. Each ceremony took women deeper into the Tjukurrpa with each step.
The Elders worked well together to teach and protect everyone at the Camp and to teach Culture and Law to all the participants – Aboriginal and non-Indigenous. Everyone was extremely touched by the strength of the Elders. Everyone was very grateful to them and thank them very much for their wisdom, guidance and support. The land is strong at Blue Hill – because women have danced on it for so many years. We could all feel its strength.
Everyone had such a good time that they have asked for many more camps. Kapululangu elders made a commitment to work more closely with the women elders from Ringer Soak, Kururrungku and Mulan. They want to invite them to all our big Law and Culture activities in the future.
Everyone worked really hard together. The Kartiya women quickly warmed to their roles as Tilitja/Culture Workers for the Elders. They fully understood the importance of giving service to the Elders. (Tilitja is a traditional role in all Law and Culture events, and lies at the core of how Kapululangu operates.) The Tilitja worked really well in the Kitchen under the direction of Kapululangu’s (new) Administrator wonder-woman Maggie Gleeson (who the Elders have made “Nakamarra” and given her “Tjantjiya” for her Bush-Name). Groups of Kartiya were going around with trays laden with the most wonderful meals and cups of tea giving them out to the Elders and other women.
Ochre Doyle Wunguya Napaltjarri, an Aboriginal woman from Broken Hill who has been involved with Balgo and the Kutjungka since 1993, looked after the Kapululangu Elders in every way. Ochre has worked closely with Kapululangu since it started in 1999 and attended the Women’s Law Camp in 2007. Maggie and Ochre were supported by Corrine Batt-Rawden, who came to Kapululangu with Ochre to be her support and helper. Both are artists and they did some really good art work with the women both before and during the Camp.
Margaret Yintjurru Anjule Napurrula (Vice-Chair and Rotational Chair), Ruby Darkie Nangala (Kapululangu’s Chairwoman), Payi Payi Sunfly Napangarti (Secretary), Maudie Mandigalli Napanangka and Mungkina Dora Rockman Napaltjarri were among the strong Senior Law Women who ran the Law Camp. There were a lot of Senior Law Women at the Camp who came from right across the Kutjungka so there are too many names to list here. But together these women Elders made the Camp the wonderful experience it was. They taught us, guided us, protected us, looked after us, and healed all of us with their wisdom and courage. We are all very grateful to them. We thank them for holding Yawulyu: for holding Women’s Law for us and for all women.
Nakarra Marie Mudgedell (Kapululangu’s Vice-Chair) cooked mountains of very welcomed nutritious bread for everyone. Patsy Mudgedell Nakamarra, as Kapululangu’s Cultural Facilitator, contributed much to the Camp. This included a meeting in which women felt safe to express how they felt as Aboriginal and non-Indigenous women working together on the Law Ground. This meeting was made stronger by Aboriginal singer-musician Kerryanne Cox giving us all a chance to hear her beautiful voice and songs.
The Kapululangu Elders were delighted to see their dances and songs recorded for future generations by an all-Aboriginal, all-female film crew from PAKAM (thanks Bonny and Julieanne). The film crew was organised, directed and helped by Patsy in her PAKAM role. The Kapululangu elders have repeatedly stated their desire to have their songs documented as a resource to teach young women and to hold them for future generations. The Elders made strong restrictions on what could be filmed – and what could not be filmed – and this was respected by everyone. None of the guests took photos at any time during the Law Camp.
The Blue Hill Law Ground was a wonderful home for us all. We had two large wilitja/bough-sheds – the biggest one for the yawulyupirri (women’s dancing ground). They were built by Kapululangu’s Joah Gleeson (“Tjapaltjarri”) with the assistance of WAC’s Geoff Burns, and Kelly Mudgedell and Eric Sunfly from Balgo Clinic. Thanks Bruce for lending them to us as their help meant that Zohl only had to do two days of the heavy lifting with Joah herself. We also had a large kitchen space which was built by Zohl and Kapululangu’s friend Corrine Batt-Rawden.
The days were warm, but the nights were very cold. But, unfortunately, we had some really cold, wet rain on the second night. It totally drenched the Fitzroy Crossing women who hadn’t brought good tents with them. Everyone was worried for their elders and didn’t want them to get sick. This meant that the Crossing women had to decide to return home after two days. It made Kapululangu women very sad that their Crossing guests had to leave before the Camp was finished. But everyone understood. The sun came out soon after the Crossing women left and it didn’t rain any more for the rest to the Camp. Just in case it rained again, Kapululangu arranged for more tarps and all the tilitja/culture workers helped make all the women’s tents and bough-sheds very warm and cosy.
Two highlights of the Law Camp were the Gift Giving Ceremonies. The first Gift Giving saw Kapululangu and some of our guests giving new Blankets to all of the Elders and some good second-hand jumpers. This was so that they could stay warm at the Camp. Kapululangu women had also made some small gifts of bush medicines to our guests. The second Gift Giving saw the Kartiya giving money in appreciation to Kapululangu to help us pay the Elders from Balgo, Mulan, Ringer Soak and Kururrungku for their cultural knowledge and their teaching.
Kapululangu wants to thank all of the women who came to the Law Camp – particularly the Elders from Mulan, Kururrungku, Ringer Soak and Fitzroy Crossing. We want to thank all of the women who came, from all of their many communities across Australia. We want to thank the young women who came – both the local Aboriginal young women and the Kartiya ones: it was good to have you all with us. We want to thank all of the Kartiya women who came. We particularly want to thank those Aboriginal and Kartiya women who were strong and committed Tilitja/Culture Workers and helped look after the Elders.
Kapululangu wants to thank the men of Balgo for their support. Special thanks go to the Senior Law Men of Balgo who supported the Women’s Law Camp – especially Jimmy Tchooga Tjapangarti and Jupiter (Patrick) Smith Tjapaltjarri. Particular thanks to all of the men and the women and children who gathered on the Oval for the Community Welcome Back Women’s ceremony. This showed once again that Balgo men respect Women’s Law, just as Balgo women respect Men’s Law. We need both Men’s and Women’s Law to be strong – so that we can be strong.
As Kapululangu’s Coordinator Zohl dé Ishtar thanks:
· the Kapululangu Elders and Directors for running a brilliant, important and empowering Women’s Law Camp.
· Maggie, Ochre and Rin for being such strong and tireless workers on the Law Camp – as well as before and after it
· Joah for all his work in preparing the Camp site and for providing logistical support from behind the scenes while we were all of the Law Ground
· Wirrimanu Aboriginal Corporation Directors for grading the site, providing some labour and lending trailers and the water tank
· Balgo Clinic for the regular nursing staff visits to the Camp, two male staff who helped build the Camp bough-sheds, and for looking after women’s medicines and (re)supplying our first-aid box
· Sally from Warlayirti, Rhondda and Vicki from Balgo Clinic, and Br Michael from Luurnpa School who either drove women to the Law Camp, or offered to if they were needed
· Luurnpa School, Boystown, Indigenous Protected Areas (Mulan and Billiluna) and Warlayirti Art Centre for lending trailers, satellite phones and other resources
· Yiriman Women’s Project of the Kimberley Aboriginal Law and Culture Centre for their substantial funding of the event, and for sending their wonderful staff cooks to help Maggie with providing food to all of the Kutjungka participants.
· Quaker Service Australia (QSA) one of Kapululangu’s funders for sending Aletia Dundas to join us at the Law Camp. QSA has funded Kapululangu’s “Teaching Culture – Healing People” program. She was able to talk with Kapululangu about the possibility of some future funding.
· Thanks also to the Commonwealth Department of Family, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and to Smyl Community Services for their financial contribution to the Camp.
The Kapululangu Elders and Directors are already talking about the next Women’s Law Camp which they are planning for next year. They hope that all those women from the Kutjungka who missed out on this one, will make sure that they come to the next one. Women’s Law Camps make all of our people and our communities strong. As Kapululangu’s motto says the Elders and Directors are committed to “Revitalizing Women’s Law”; and to “Caring for Women and [their] Community”.
2 May 2009
Kapululangu on the Nakarra Nakarra Dreaming Track
Seventy-eight women, men and children returned this week from five days on the Nakarra Nakarra Dreaming Track with the Kapululangu Women’s Law Centre. They came from 9 communities: Balgo, Mulan, Billiluna, Fitzroy Crossing (and 4 outlying communities) and Broome.
We travelled in a convoy of 10 vehicles. It was great to see all the cars snaking across the land. We visited Yakka Yakka, Piparr, Lumanparnta, Nakarra Nakarra, Kunakurlu, and Nantalarra. We camped at Yakka Yakka, Lumanparnta and near Kunakurlu. We danced at Nakarra Nakarra and Nantalarra.
Kapululangu provided the Law and cultural content – two big ceremonies, a night-time corroboree, painting, and sand-story. The Yiriman Women’s Project of the Kimberley Aboriginal Law and Culture Centre came and provided food, four troopies and a truck and helped with logistical support. PAKAM radio/television joined in to film the trip. And Luurnpa School helped out with a vehicle and the wonderful Brother Michael.
We slept the first night at Yakka Yakka. The first morning we had a small ceremony of prayer and song (thanks to Joah and Maggie Gleeson for their beautiful song) before setting off on the long trek to Lumanparnta outstation. At Lumanparnta we slept for two nights in the luxury of its four houses and hand-pumped water. From Lumanparnta we drove through to Piparr and beyond to go to a Women’s Site there. On the third day we moved camp to Kunakurlu in the Nakarra Nakarra area. From there we went to Nakarra Nakarra to hold our first big ceremony. Women did some very special paintup and danced really strong. Payi Payi Sunfly and Nellie Njamme told the Nakarra Nakarra story in sand-drawings. All of the Kapululangu women got together to paint about the Nakarra Nakarra site on a big canvas purchased from Warlayirti Art Centre. That night we had a corroboree dance – we were all very proud of our young women who danced well even though they were tired from dancing all day. The next day (our last) we packed up and went to Nantalarra for more paintup and dancing. Then it was the long drive home. Everyone slept at the Women’s Law Ground before the Yiriman people returned home.
We were all really sad to hear the news from Balgo about that young man – and really felt sorry for his mother and sister who were with us – Patricia Tjimiya Milner and Yvonne Milner. We thank Sully, Ronald and Lincoln for driving all the way to tell us – and for all the Clinic and Community people who asked them to come out to us. All of the women thought hard about what to do. The next morning we held a meeting and talked about who should go back to Balgo. The meeting decided that they wanted to hold the mother and daughter with us so that the Country could heal them, and so that we could all come back with them. We didn’t want them coming back by themselves. Thanks to Kapululangu’s Maggie and Joah Gleeson who took special care of our grieving family. Thanks again to Scully for his medical advice concerning one of the women who ran out of her medicine while he was with us – it meant that she didn’t need to leave the Trip. We are all very sorry about this young man, and for all his family.
The Dreaming Track Trip was a time for Traditional Owners and others to visit Country. There are far too many people to name everyone here but we want to say a special “Yati Minyirri” (thank you) to:
Kapululangu’s Traditional Owners for this area Payi Payi Sunfly, Nellie Njamme, Linda Charmawinna, Mayan Kathleen Padoon, and Eva Wumali Nagomara.
Other Kapululangu Elders and Leaders including Yintjurru Margaret Bumblebee, Dora Rockman, Maudie Mandigalli, Patsy Mudgedell, Nakarra (Maria) Mudgedell, Eva Nagomara, Tjiliwa Helen Nagomara, and Cathy Lee.
Kapululangu’s young women who made us proud.
The women elders who came from Mulan and Billiluna – making it a Kutjungka trip – Wendy Wise, Charmia Samuels, Monica Wishpott, Fatima Lulu, and Evelyn Boxer.
We particularly say a big “thank you” to:
Yiriman Women’s Project’s Michelle Coles and Annette Kogolo who worked really hard with Kapululangu’s coordinator Zohl dé Ishtar to make the Trip possible
The women and men who came from Fitzroy Crossing area – particularly their Elders (sorry too many to name), the brilliant cooks (Joneen and Mandy) and the men who drove the truck and went hunting and brought back 3 big marlu (kangaroo).
The PAKAM film crew – particularly Neil Turner and also Bonny Dickson who filmed the women-only Law events.
And everyone else who came along on the Trip.
The Kapululangu Elders and Directors are really happy to see everyone returning home feeling stronger for Law and Culture. This helps them to keep strong for Law and Culture themselves. It shows them that all of their hard and long work for Kapululangu has not been wasted and is wanted by all of Balgo and the Kutjungka’s people. Kapululangu women have a lot to offer their community. They believe in the importance of Law and Culture to keeping people strong and healthy – women, children and men. They want to see more people being involved in Law and Culture work. They want all of the agencies to work together to support and include more Law and Culture activities in their work.
Balgo Women’s Law Camp – 27 May to 2 June
A reminder: The Balgo Women’s Law Camp for 2009 is being held at Blue Hill Women’s Law Ground near Balgo just on the Tanami Track. The dates are 27 May to 2 June. That’s only 3 weeks away. All women and girls aged over 12 years are welcome to come. This is an Aboriginal women’s camp but Kartiya (non-Indigenous) women can come too, we ask that they are accompanied by a local Indigenous woman who can be their mentor/advisor. Bring your own swags, shelter, medicines and food. This is a camp for the entire Kutjungka/Tjurabalan region. And there are women coming from across the Kimberley and around Australia. Please let Aboriginal women from all other communities know about the Camp. This Camp follows on from the 2007 Women’s Law Camp and the 2008 Young Women’s Culture Camp. More information is available on Kapululangu’s website at http://kapululangu.blogspot.com Watch for the next Mirli Mirli.
17 April 2009
Kapululangu’s Ten Year Old Birthday Party
Fifty-four (54) women and girls came to Kapululangu’s Tenth Birthday Corroboree on April 12 2009 (Easter Sunday). We had a big paintup that went for hours. Then the girls danced for everyone. Everyone was so proud of them. After that we had a party with lots of yummy kuka/meat and two really healthy salads – all cooked by local women – Nakarra Mudgedell made a mountain of fresh bread. We finished the party with the biggest birthday cake that Zohl made. Actually it was three cakes – one on top of the other. Each cake was a different colour – red, blue and green! It was all covered in yummy yellow icing and lots of candles. Everyone sang “Happy Birthday” to Kapululangu. Kapululangu Elders cut the cake together. They all held on to the knife at the same time. Ruby Darkie, Maudie Mandigalli, Dora Rockman, Payi Payi Sunfly and Margaret Anjule Bumblebee. While the women were getting the food ready the kids blew up over 100 balloons. It was a wonderful way to celebrate Kapululangu and particularly the work that the elders have done for Law and Culture and teaching the girls and kids for the past 10 years. (See the photo of the Elders cutting the cake.)
Kapululangu’s two new Tilitja /Culture Workers
Maggie and Joah Gleeson are having fun at Kapululangu. Maggie is employed as Administrative Assistant. Joah is here as a worker from Indigenous Community Volunteers. Both of them are helping Zohl with running the Women’s Centre and organising its Law and Culture activities. On their first day in Balgo they joined in the Kapululangu Tenth Birthday Corroboree and the Birthday Party. They are helping to look after the women elders – Maggie cooks for them every night. They are helping to get ready for the five day Nakarra Nakarra Dreaming Track Trip happening this week. And they are going to be helping with running the Balgo Women’s Law Camp coming up at the end of May.
Nakarra Nakarra Dreaming Track Trip
Kapululangu’s Nakarra Nakarra Dreaming Track Trip is heading off this Wednesday (22 April 2009). Sixty women and girls will be spending up five days camping and doing ceremony in the beautiful strong Country south of Yakka Yakka. Women from Fitzroy Crossing are coming too. And some men. If you want to come there’s still time to put your name down with Zohl. The troopies leave Balgo at 10am on Wednesday. The first people to put their names on the list will get seats first. So be quick. Let Zohl know if you want to come. This project is funded by the Kimberley Aboriginal Law and Culture Centre’s Yiriman Women’s Project, Quaker Service Australia, Smyl Community Services, and other supporters.
10 April 2009
Kapululangu is Ten Years Old
On April 12 2009 (Easter Sunday) Kapululangu becomes Ten Years old. In September 1998 some of Balgo’s women elders got together and decided that they wanted to restart their women’s organisation. They wanted support to enjoy and to teach their Law and Culture to younger generations. On 12 April 1999, 45 Balgo women met and put their names down as supporting the elders. The women called their organisation “Kapululangu” - remembering the Nangala Kutjurra two Ancestor Women who watch over the Women's Law Ground. The women asked Zohl dé Ishtar to be their coordinator. A constitution or rules were drawn up and given to the Government. On 3 August 1999 Kapululangu became incorporated which means that the Australian government said that it was okay for Balgo women to run Kapululangu.
Sunday 12 April: Kapululangu Tenth Birthday Ceremony
On Sunday 12 April, Kapululangu celebrates its Tenth Birthday by holding a Ceremony at the Kapululangu Culture Shed on the Balgo Women’s Law Ground. The ceremony/party starts at 2.30pm. All women and girls are welcome. Afternoon Tea and Birthday Cake provided.
Wednesday 22 April to Monday 27 April: Nakarra Nakarra Dreaming Track Trip
As part of Kapululangu’s Tenth Birthday Celebrations, Kapululangu women are going on a five day trip along the Nakarra Nakarra Dreaming Track south of Yakka Yakka. There are going to be 10 vehicles – 4 of them coming from Fitzroy Crossing. Some of the Traditional Owners of that area from Balgo, Kururrungku and Fitzroy Crossing are going. Some young women are going too. Some men are going too. We’re even taking a film crew with us to make a film about Kapululangu on the Dreaming Track. We’ll be Talking Story, making a big Painting for Kapululangu, hunting, and doing lots of Turlku/Ceremony and Yawulyu. Food will be provided. But everyone will help out with cooking. The men will be going hunting and (hopefully) getting lots of marlu and kiparra – and doing their own Culture Business. If you want to come please let Zohl know soon, put your name on the list. We leave Balgo in 10 days time – 22 April.
27 May – 2 June: Balgo Women’s Law Camp
The Balgo Women’s Law Camp is coming up fast. There’s still a lot to organise. A lot of Aboriginal and Kartiya women and girls are coming from across Australia. Ochre Doyle Napaltjarri (who most people know) and another Aboriginal woman Marcelle Cross-Townsend will be coming to spend a month with Kapululangu. They will be helping Kapululangu by working with local women to organise the Women’s Law Camp. Ochre and Marcelle will be supported while they are here by Indigenous Community Volunteers, an organisation which supports volunteers working with Indigenous communities across Australia. More information: http://kapululangu.blogspot.com/
Two More Tilitja/Culture Workers for Kapululangu
Two new people are coming to join Kapululangu. They are Maggie Gleeson and her husband Joah (Peter). Maggie will be working with Zohl, the Elders and the Directors as Kapululangu’s Administrative Assistant. Joah hopes to work with the men’s side, helping the male elders as Men’s Tilitja/Culture Worker. He will also be fixing up the Kapululangu buildings and planting a garden. He is happy to teach what he knows to anyone who wants to learn. Like Ochre and Marcelle, Joah is supported by Indigenous Community Volunteers. Maggie and Joah will be in Balgo for three months. They are really keen to get to know people so please say “hallo” to them when you see them around town. We’re happy that they are going to be working with us. This means that Kapululangu will be able to do a lot more culture work.
Watch Out for Margaret Anjule Driving Around on her Scooter
Kapululangu congratulates Yintjurru Margaret Anjule (Bumblebee) for her success in learning to walk again. Margaret has been working really hard for the past year exercising and practicing walking. She recently returned to Balgo after spending two weeks training at the Physio Gym at Shenton Park Rehabilitation Hospital. She worked out for a remarkable five hours every day – for two weeks. She learnt to walk on a very special leg – a “suction leg” – one of the best “plastic legs” in Australia. When she returned to Balgo her long-promised mobility scooter “Rocky 6” arrived too. Now Margaret is going to be driving herself around Balgo – going to the Store, Art Centre and Clinic. People in Balgo have been waving at her as she drove past them, and the kids have been really excited to see her “small car”. Margaret is a really good driver but Kapululangu asks driver to watch out for Margaret while she is on the road. Kapululangu also reminds people at the Store that while Margaret is walking with her “walker” she needs people to get out of her way. Walking with a “plastic leg” is really hard work so Margaret needs your support. Margaret wants to thank her friends at Shenton Park and the Perth Quakers for their support and encouragement over the past year. Well done, Margaret. We are all very proud of you!
Zohl’s book Holding Yawulyu
Lots of people have been asking for Zohl’s book – Holding Yawulyu: White Culture and Black Women’s Law. There are now 10 copies in Balgo. If anyone wants to buy a copy please ask Zohl. Price is $28 (includes a good discount for Balgo people). This is the story of Kapululangu and explains what the Kapululangu elders have been trying to do. It is a story about the relationship between Aboriginal and Kartiya in Balgo. There is no Law information in the book. The research was carried out in 1999-2001, while 13 women elders and Zohl lived together in the Culture Shed, before the houses were built. The book was published with the permission of the Kapululangu elders. Kapululangu women elders are proud of this book. The book can be purchased through the publisher at www.spinifexpress.com.au
13 March 2009
Celebrating Strong Women: International Women’s Day
Kapululangu ran a wonderful Young Women’s Sleep Over last Saturday and Sunday (7 and 8 March). The 8 March is International Women’s Day when women and men in every country in the world were doing lots of fun things to celebrate strong women working for their communities. About 33 women came to Kapululangu Women’s House on the Saturday, including 23 young women. Lots of the young women worked with Jo from Palyalatju Maparnpa to cook yummy Chicken Stir-fry for everyone. On Saturday night 16 women, including 9 young women, slept over at the Women’s House. In the morning the young women made breakfast – porridge and toast. And they made scrambled eggs for breakfast. In the afternoon they made a wonderful vanilla and chocolate mixed up cake – with icing. That night they made sausage stew and kangaroo tails, helping Patricia Milner and Cathy Lee. There were 29 women for dinner that night. A highlight was the painting of the Mural in the Women’s Culture Shed which is coming along really well. The girls took lots of photos and video. They also had great fun cleaning up the Women’s House, and scrubbing the floor, so that the women elders had a lovely place to live. They watched a movie about a young woman living overseas in a country called Vanuatu. The film was made by some of Zohl’s Indigenous friends from Vanuatu. Zohl talked to the young women about the importance of International Women’s Day happening all over the world. Everyone had a great time.
More Celebrations for International Women’s Week.
On Saturday 14 Kapululangu ran a Tjarrtjurra Women’s Healing session and “smoked” a new born baby to make it grow strong. Wendy, Balgo’s Child Protection Worker, came to the Women’s Centre to talk about International Women’s Day – and the importance of young women learning how to keep themselves safe. There was a great afternoon tea.
Nakarra Nakarra Dreaming Track Meeting
Kapululangu Elders, Directors and Members held a meeting on Saturday 7 March to talk about the Nakarra Nakarra Dreaming Track Trip. It will be April 22 to 27, a week after Easter. The Elders and TOs will be talking story illustrated with sand-drawings, and leading dances and ceremonies at special places on along the Dreaming Track. Kapululangu is going to be working with Yiriman Women from the Kimberley Aboriginal Law and Culture Centre (KALACC). There will be about 6 vehicles going – and maybe more. Kapululangu is negotiating with a film crew to come to make a documentary about the Trip. While this is a women’s trip, the women elders decided that they also want to take some of the male elders who belong to that Country with them. Kapululangu invites any other agencies in Balgo, Mulan or Kururrungku who would like to come to ring Zohl on 0429 422 645. You must have good cars and cover your own expenses.
Kapululangu’s 10th Birthday is Coming Up Fast
Kapululangu’s Tenth Birthday is coming up fast. There will be a party and Turlku/Dance at Kapululangu on April 12, which is Easter Sunday. Kapululangu was formed by Balgo women on 12 April 1999. It is great to see Kapululangu still going strong ten years after it was started by Margaret Anjule, Dora Rockman, Maude Mandigalli, Payi Payi Sunfly and other women elders who have since passed on. It started in the Culture Shed, where women lived together for over two years, before the houses were built in 2002.
Kukatja Language Classes Going Strong
Noone can stop laughing at Kapululangu’s Kukatja Language Classes. Everyone has been having a really good time. Margaret Anjule (Bumblebee), Marie Mudgedell and Patsy Mudgedell have been great teachers. They are very good at understanding what their Kartiya students are trying to say – even when everyone is eating Zohl’s wonderful “mango-passionfruit” cake! We’ve run five language classes already. They run on Thursdays at 5.30 at Kapululangu House (where Zohl lives). Men are welcome to attend too. The next lesson is Thursday 19 March. Then there is a break for two weeks, and the next one is 9 April, just before Christmas.
Sand-Drawing Stories at Luurnpa School
Kapululangu Elders have given two culture classes to kids at the school. In the first lesson the kids learnt all about tracks and enjoyed learning how to find the animals when they go hunting. In the second class, they learnt stories about the Emus and the Dog and about the Porcupine. Payi Payi told a story about the Nakarra Nakarra Dreaming Track, south of Yakka Yakka. Teachers were Margaret Anjule, Dora Rockman, Maude Mandigalli, Kathleen Padoon and Payi Payi Sunfly.
20 February 2009
Having Great Fun with Kukatja Language!
The first Kukatja Language Class for Kartiya was held on Thursday. It was great fun. Five women came – four of them Kartiya and the other was Wendy who is an Aboriginal woman from Queensland – and one man – Brad. We were waiting for some Kartiya from the Store (Tuwa) but they didn’t stop working until 9 at night. Our teachers were Yintjurru Margaret Anjule, Marie Mudgedell and Patsy Mudgedell. Yintjurru was particularly strong with teaching everyone how to speak “marrkarr” strong Kukatja. The Mudgedell Sisters brought expertise based on formal qualifications and lots of years of language teaching and interpretation. Zohl cooked the best cake – and everyone had a feast! Palya minyirri mangarri! The next class is in two weeks time on Thursday 5 March. This time it starts at 6.00pm (an hour later than this week). It will be at Kapululangu House on the Women’s Law Ground. Everyone is welcome to come – even men. Please turn up on time. We are asking for a donation of $10 per class – so we can pay your teachers. And please bring a plate of yummy food to share. Don’t miss out on the fun!
Kartiya Women’s Ceremony with the Elders was held on Saturday
On Saturday 21 February the Kapululangu Elders invited Kartiya women to join them for a Tjarrtjurra Ceremony on the Women’s Law Ground. Lots of Kartiya women came and learnt something about Culture. The women elders did paintup and healing for their visitors. There was lots of yummy food. The men elders were going to do a culture sharing for the men’s side too but only one Kartiya man told Zohl he wanted to go – so it had to be cancelled. Maybe there will be another time for that.
Thursday 26 February: the First Culture Class at Luurnpa School
The Kapululangu Elders are going back to School! The elders are starting the Sand-Drawing Story classes for kids at Luurnpa School on Thursday. This will be the first of six classes so that all the kids get to listen to the elders’ stories. There will be an opportunity for school girls to come to the Women’s Culture Shed to do some painting on the Women’s Mural.
Saturday 28 February to Monday 2 March: Young Women’s Sleep Over
Next weekend, the Kapululangu women are once again inviting young women to sleep over with them at the Women’s House. Sleepovers have always been great fun. This time there will be a Women’s Ceremony on the Saturday afternoon, special games, finishing painting the mural in the Women’s Culture Shed, filming and photography, and working on Kapululangu’s computers. All women are invited to come, but especially young women and girls aged over 10 years. Please let Zohl know if you are coming so that we can make sure that there is enough food for everyone.
March 8: International Women’s Day. A Women’s Corroboree.
Sunday March 8 is International Women’s Day is a day to celebrate the strength of women. Women will be doing special things all over the world. Kapululangu is going hold a Women’s Corroboree on the Women’s Law Ground. Starts at 4pm in the afternoon and going into the night. All women are welcome, including Kartiya. Please bring some yummy food to share. Come and join in.
14 February 2009
Kapululangu Celebrates The Apology
Kapululangu will hold a Women’s Turlku (Ceremony) on the Women’s Law Ground this Sunday 15 February starting at 3pm. In this ceremony, Kapululangu will join Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals, communities and organisations all around Australia (and overseas) to acknowledge the First Anniversary of the historical National Apology. Kapululangu sent a message of solidarity to the National Sorry Day Committee which held a National Launch of its Consultative Listening Tour at Federal Parliament House in Canberra on Friday (13 February).
Thursday 19 February: Language Class Starts on Thursday
The first of six Language Classes for Kartiya starts this Thursday. Held at the Walkala Book Centre at Luurnpa School at 5pm for one hour. Kukatja language will be taught by Yintjurru Margaret Anjule and Marie Mudgedell. The program will be facilitated by Dr Zohl dé Ishtar. You can register for this series of workshops in advance or at the workshop. Cost is $10 per night or $50 for the six sessions. Refreshments will be provided. Kapululangu wants to be responsive to the needs of local Kartiya and to provide some answers to some of your questions. Please bring any questions or interests you might have. Ring Zohl on 0429 422 645 to let us know you are coming, or just turn up.
21 February: Kartiya Women and Men’s Cultural Ceremony with the Elders
Next Saturday 21 February at 2pm Kapululangu’s women elders will welcome Kartiya women onto the Women’s Law Ground for a Corroboree/Ceremony. At the same time some men elders will be welcoming Kartiya men onto the Men’s Law Ground. This is a rare opportunity for Kartiya to learn something of the local Culture. The event is open to everyone who wants to go along and join in – Aboriginal and Kartiya women and men from throughout the Kutjungka region.Kartiya participants can expect to be painted with ochres and to join in the dances, so please wear old clothes. Refreshments will be provided. Kartiya are asked to bring a plate of food to share – as a sign of respect to the elders and their cultural knowledge. If you have any questions and to let us know that you are coming please ring Zohl on 0429 422 645. Again, it would be helpful to let us know that you are coming, but not essential – just turn up if you want to.
5 February 2009
The great news of the week is that Kapululangu Women’s House is going strong. The women elders had stayed at the Women’s House over the Christmas Holidays. But they left three days before Zohl returned home in mid-January. Last week, Patricia Milner and Yvonne went to live in the Women’s House. They were quickly joined by Mungkina Dora Rockman and Maudie Mandigalli who wanted to go home, Wumali Joan Nagamara and Florrie Watson visiting from Kiwirrkurra. Everyone is having “fun” living together in the quiet Women’s House.
Last Saturday, Kapululangu women went for a “Look around Country” to find a good place to hold the next Balgo Women’s Law Camp. Everyone was really happy to start preparing for the Camp. Before that, the Kapululangu elders went to Kururrungku for the Law Time Ceremonies there. There was lots of ceremony, dancing and fun! Kapululangu wants to thank all the Kururrungku people who looked after us.
Kapululangu’s Planned Activities for the Next Six Months
Kapululangu has some big events coming up over the next few months. There are cultural activities for women, men and kids – Aboriginal and Kartiya.
Tjarrtjurra Women’s Healing Ceremonies
Kapululangu women have started their Tjarrtjurra Healing Ceremonies at the Kapululangu Women’s Culture Shed again. The elders invite any woman or man who wants or needs healing to talk to them at any time to organise a session. The elders will also do “emergencies” at short notice. Kapululangu elders also smoke babies and new mothers to make them strong. As a sign of respect to the elders people using their services are encouraged to make a small donation in money, tobacco or food. (Kapululangu has a policy of paying its healers and teachers.) The elders invite young women wanting to learn Tjarrtjurra skills to join them and other apprentices. Marie Mudgedell is making bush medicines which are available from Kapululangu.
19 February: Language and Culture Workshops for Kartiya Staff
The 19 February is the start of Kapululangu’s series of 6 fortnightly language and cultural awareness workshops for Kartiya women and men in Balgo. This carries on the long legacy of the much-missed Brother Cal. Language tutors will include Yintjurru Margaret Anjule and Marie Mudgedell and some of the other highly skilled language experts in Balgo. The workshops will be facilitated by Kapululangu’s coordinator, Dr Zohl dé Ishtar. Workshops will be held at the Luurnpa School Walkala Book Centre from 5pm until 6pm every second Thursday. The first workshop will be on 19 February. Kartiya wanting to learn some Kukatja (only one of Balgo’s seven local languages) and some basic cultural communication skills please ring Zohl on 0429 422 645 to register. Cost is $10 per night or $50 for the six sessions.
21 February: Kartiya Women and Men’s Cultural Ceremony with the Elders
Kapululangu’s women elders and some men elders are inviting Kartiya staff (old and new) to the Women and Men’s Law Grounds to conduct a ceremony with them. This is a great opportunity for Kartiya to learn from the Elders. Kartiya participants will be expected to fully join in the ceremony. That includes being painted up with ochre so please wear old clothes. Please bring a plate of food to share with the elders. All Aboriginal women and men are welcome to join in but Kapululangu can only pay the Elders.
26 February: Cultural Classes for Kids
On 26 February Kapululangu starts its cultural classes at Luurnpa School again – continuing the very successful work of last year’s classes. These classes are about having fun while kids learn more about their culture. Kapululangu elders will tell sand-drawing stories, show bush skills and crafts, and take young kids for bush trips. Kapululangu wants to thank Brother Rick and the Luurnpa teachers and ATOs for helping us with these classes. Kapululangu is also looking for more culture teachers to run after-school activities. So if any adult Aboriginal woman or man has an idea of what they want to teach our kids please let Zohl know.
28 February to 2 March: Young Women’s Culture Camp.
On the long weekend of 28 February to 2 March, Kapululangu elders will take a group of 20 young women (ages 12 to 18) camping for two nights. Fun things are planned. This follows on from last April’s Young Women’s Cultural Camp. Other agencies are also bringing great things to do. Numbers are limited so if you want to come, and are aged between 12 and 18, please give your name and $20 to Zohl soon. Food will be provided. There will be more information on this later.
14 March: Women Staff “Welcome to Kapululangu” Ceremony
This is an opportunity for Kartiya women to join Kapululangu elders on the Women’s Law Ground and participate in one of their wonderful Tjarrtjurra Healing Ceremonies. Kapululangu is one of the few places in Australia where women’s healing is conducted on a regular basis. This will be a special “welcome to Kapululangu”.
12 April: Kapululangu’s Ten Year Old Birthday Party (on Easter Sunday)
April 12 is Kapululangu’s Ten Years Old Birthday. And we are going to have a party! We had originally planned to hold our Women’s Law Camp that week but when we learned it was Easter week we changed our date. There’ll be a showing of photos and videos of Kapululangu, Manungka Manungka and the Desert Women’s Project days. More details later.
22 to 27 April: Nakarra Nakarra Dreaming Track Trip (women and men).
This is one of Kapululangu’s biggest events of the year. Kapululangu will spend six days and five nights on the Nakarra Nakarra Dreaming Track south of Yakka Yakka. The Traditional Owners and other women elders will lead five days of ceremony at significant sites as we journey along the Dreaming Track. The purpose of this trip is for the elders to teach Country and Ceremony to young women. Everyone at Kapululangu is really excited because the last time we travelled and performed ceremonies on the Nakarra Nakarra Track was in 2000. We strongly invite other agencies to join us by providing a vehicle and a driver. The more vehicles we can take the more women can come. We are also delighted that we’ll be joined by the wonderful Yiriman Project (operating out of the Kimberley Aboriginal Law and Culture Centre).
27 May to 2 June: Balgo Women’s Law Camp
The long awaited next Balgo Women’s Law Camp will be held at the end of May near Balgo. This is a time for ceremony, culture sharing, “talking story” and discussing issues. It provides an opportunity for elders to teach cultural knowledge to younger women and girls. Participants are invited to show-and-tell their organisation’s cultural works and crafts (bring what you need to do this). After the very successful 2007 Women’s Camp, many Aboriginal women from across Australia asked to be told about this next camp. So we expect it to be bigger than the August 2007 one – possibly 200 women. Participants will be asked to meet at Balgo Oval at 1pm on 27 May so that all the vehicles can go to the Camp site together. We will return to Balgo Oval on 2 June at 3pm for a Community Closing Ceremony. The Kapululangu elders invite both Indigenous and non-Indigenous women to this Camp. Non-Indigenous women should be accompanied by at least one Aboriginal woman. Participants need to organise their own transport and bring their own food, bedding, shelter, fuel and medicines. Water and wood will be provided. To help Kapululangu pay the elders for their cultural knowledge, we are asking for donations from individual non-Indigenous participants ($50), all women representing non-government organisations ($100) and any woman who represents a government department ($500). Registrations and payments close on 22 May but please register early. To learn more, to register and to tell us how many women you are bringing please send an email to z.deishtar@uq.edu.au Kapululangu invites all Kutjungka women (Indigenous and Kartiya) to attend free of charge. We invite the support and assistance of local Kutjungka agencies. As this is a Law Event we know that Kutjungka men, particularly the elders, will play a big part in supporting this Camp. Kapululangu thanks the men for their support.
Kapululangu's 2008 News >>>
21 November 2008
Margaret Anjule’s “To Heaven and Back Again Survival Party”.
Kapululangu is holding a “To Heaven and Back Again Survival Party” for Margaret Anjule (aka Bumblebee) at Kapululangu Women’s Centre at 6pm on Wednesday 26 November. This is to celebrate Margaret first year of survival. It is one year since Margaret suffered multiple organ failure as a result of diabetes and survived by having her leg amputated. Margaret stopped breathing when she was on the Doctor Plane and her heart stopped when she was in the Derby Ambulance. She went to Heaven, had a look around, and decided to come back to look after her grandchildren and to help grow up all of Balgo’s young people “Strong for Law, Strong for Culture”. The first thing she did when she came back to Balgo was call and organise the Young Women’s Culture Camp which was held last April. Margaret has spent the past year learning the incredible skill of learning how to walk on a plastic leg. She is very, very, very clever and we are so happy to have her with us. She is a great leader in Balgo and was recognised by being awarded the East Kimberley Elder of the Year by the Wunan Foundation’s East Kimberley Aboriginal Achievement Awards.
Sixty Women and Girls Dance Ceremony at Kapululangu Women’s Law and Culture Centre.
Kapululangu had one of the biggest women’s dance ceremonies it has ever held last Tuesday night as part of the Kutjungka Women’s Week (organised by Emily from Garnduwa – thanks Emily!). Sixty women and girls came, got painted up by the elders, danced ceremony, had a bbq and sat around the fire. There were women elders, middle-generation women, 38 young women and girls, one boy, and one toddler, four Kartiya women, and a few babies. Everyone had amazing fun! The event was funded by Quaker Service Australia.
Story-telling at Luurnpa School.
Kapululangu Women Elders are telling Tjukurrpa (Dreaming) Stories to kids at Luurnpa School. They are telling traditional stories and stories about their childhoods and are illustrating the stories by drawing in the sand. They work with different classes each week. It is great to have the kids there listening, and drawing in the sand too. Thanks to the teachers who are participating with their students. We’ve got two more sessions planned for this year and hope to start again early next year. The Culture Classes are funded by Quaker Service Australia.
Kapululangu welcomes Chris Henderson and Vicki Godfrey to Balgo
Kapululangu has welcomed two volunteers to Balgo – Chris Henderson and Vicki Godfrey. They are here to help the Women Elders look after the Women’s Law House and will be helping Zohl with all the daily work of running Kapululangu. They are also going to run a Young Women’s Cultural Facilitation Training Program while they are here. This is funded by Smyl Community Services.
Kapululangu’s Circles of Cultural Learning Project.
Kapululangu is running a study of Cultural Wellbeing in Balgo. This will involve a series of meetings and surveys asking questions from local residents and agencies about what Cultural Activities are happening in Balgo and what they would like to see happen in Balgo that would help local people enjoy, celebrate and make their Law and Culture really strong again. This is part of Kapululangu’s project to write a strong business plan about how to develop its Circles of Cultural Learning project into the next five years. It is funded by the Western Australian Department of Indigenous Affairs.
28 November 2008
Another Great Young Women’s Sleep-Over at Kapululangu’s Law House.
Kapululangu is holding another great Young Women’s Sleep-Over on the Kapululangu Women’s Law Ground at the Women’s Law House this weekend. This Sleep-Over will continue the Multi-Media & Cultural Facilitation Training Workshops being run by Kapululangu’s volunteers Vicki Godfrey and Chris Henderson who are working closely with the Women Elders. The weekend will include: Storytelling by the Women Elders, painting a mural on the wall in the Women’s Culture Shed, photographing and videoing, working on the Kapululangu website and booklet, and helping Kapululangu think about what young women want from its Circles of Cultural Learning project. This weekend is being co-funded by: Quaker Service Australia, Smyl Community Services, and the Department of Indigenous Affairs Western Australia.
Over 150 people Celebrated Margaret Anjule’s “To Heaven and Back Again Survival Party”.
On Wednesday night (26 November) an amazing 150 people (and more!) came to Kapululangu’s “To Heaven and Back Again Survival Party” for Margaret Anjule (aka Bumblebee). The Party celebrated the “Birthday”/Anniversary of the day when one year ago Margaret had multiple organ failure and almost died. Happily for all of us Margaret decided to come back for her grandchildren and to help Kapululangu grow up all the kids and young women “Strong for Law, Strong for Culture”. The Party was a celebration of survival for all of Balgo’s Aboriginal people who have diabetes but keep going. The Party took place at the Parish House so that all of Margaret’s family members and friends could attend – lots of kids and men came too. Lots of Kartiya came too. So many people came that it was a huge party and even though we had only planned for it to go for one hour it just kept going and going and going. The Party started with Larry Gundora and David Bumblebee talking up strong for Margaret and by stories by Margaret Anjule and Zohl dé Ishtar of their time together at the hospital. Then there were blessings by the Church Leaders led by Eva Nagomarra and supported by Mamangku Brian McCoy. The speeches and blessings took place at the Statue of Mary outside the Parish House. Being near the Holy Mother was very, very important to Margaret who feels that when she almost died Jesus himself spoke to her and sent her back home to all of us in Balgo. Kapululangu Women’s Law and Culture Centre presented Margaret with a blanket in recognition of her valuable work with holding onto Women’s Law and Culture and two beautiful photos. One photo was of Margaret on the day that she took her first step on her plastic leg at Shenton Park in May this year. The other photo was of her holding the East Kimberley Elder of the Year plate that she was awarded by the Wunan Foundation, sponsored by the Department of Indigenous Affairs Western Australia (Kununurra Office). At the Party lots more photos were taken of Margaret and of all her family and friends. Everyone was really proud of Margaret and they were all taking turns in holding the photos. Many photos were taken of Margaret surrounded by her family and all of the children who were there. Margaret was so swamped by children that all you could see was her face. Someone said that it was just like when Jesus said, “Let all the children come to me”. Kapululangu put on lots of good mungarryi/food: bbq sausages and cake and ice-cream. Everyone had a great time. Kapululangu wants to thank the Parish for letting us use their House for the Party, and our wonderful teachers Mungkina and KP and Kapululangu’s volunteers Chris and Vicki for helping out.
Twenty young women and girls are working on a Website for Kapululangu and a booklet to celebrate Kapululangu’s Tenth Birthday next April.
Twenty young women have been attending workshops with Kapululangu’s Volunteers Chris Henderson and Vicki Godfrey over the past week. They are working together toward making a website for Kapululangu and a booklet for Kapululangu’s Tenth Birthday (next April). On Monday seven young women joined five elders to go on a bush trip to a Dreaming place and recorded the elders’ stories with camera, video camera and tape-recorder. On Tuesday they looked at the material they had brought back from their bush trip. On Wednesday they held a planning workshop at the Women’s Law House. On Thursday, some of the same girls attended the Kapululangu Story-telling workshop at Luurnpa School with Rosa’s class (thanks Rosa) and videoed the women elders telling Tjukurrpa stories and drawing the stories in the sand. They had a break on Friday so that Chris and Vicki could get ready for the weekend. The workshop is continuing at the Young Women’s Sleep Over at the Women’s Law House over the weekend. The workshops will keep going for another two weeks before Chris and Vicki have to leave us. Our two new friends are working really hard but having a great time and are learning so much from the Kapululangu elders and from all the young women coming to their workshops. There are so many young women attending the workshop so we can’t name them all, but Kapululangu would like to especially thank Dominica Maggie and Cynthia Bumblebee for being strong helpers for Chris and Vicki. Vicki and Chris are in Balgo to help Zohl look after Kapululangu’s Women’s Law House and the women elders who live there. Workshops are held at Kapululangu’s Women’s Law House after school. They start at 2pm. If you want to join us please see Vicki or Chris or Zohl. The workshops are funded by Smyl Community Services.
Story-telling at Luurnpa School.
Kapululangu’s Story-telling sessions are continuing at Luurnpa School. This week the Kapululangu elders worked with Rosa’s class. There were lots of stories and lots of laughing. One of the best stories was the Tjukurrpa story of the Porcupine told by Payi Payi Sunfly. Dora Mungkina Rockman, Maude Mandigalli, and Margaret Anjule also told sand-stories. Zohl dé Ishtar was there to help them. And Chris Henderson and Vicki Godfrey worked with some of the girls who had attended their workshops earlier in the week and took lots of photos and videos. Before Chris and Vicki leave Kapululangu will hold a video night so that everyone can see the videos and the photos that were taken during their workshops here. There is only one more Sand-Story session for this year. The Sand-Stories program is funded by Quaker Service Australia.
8 December 2008
Saturday: Tjarrtjurra Women’s Healing
Tjarrtjurra Women’s Healing Ceremonies are going strong at Kapululangu. Last weekend two Kartiya women came from agencies in Halls Creek to join in a powerful Tjarrtjurra session. They were Kapululangu’s first paying clients who came to experience the healing powers of the Kapululangu elders. Guests from Balgo’s own agencies joined in this Saturday’s session.
Next year Kapululangu wants to open up more Tjarrtjurra sessions to paying clients. At the moment Tjarrtjurra is funded by Quaker Service Australia.
Sunday: Circles of Cultural Learning Planning Day
Twenty-three women including elders and young women participated in a creative planning day for Kapululangu’s Circles of Cultural Learning Business Case which had everyone drawing their ideas in powerful sand-drawings. They answered questions: How can Balgo women pass their cultural knowledge to younger generations? What do Balgo women and girls need to make their lives safer? How can Balgo people make their Law and Culture stronger? Kapululangu’s volunteers Chris and Vicki worked with young women to photograph, video and audio-record all the ideas and the sand-drawings. CCL is funded by the Western Australian Department of Indigenous Affairs.
Monday: Kapululangu’s Annual General Meeting
Fifteen of Kapululangu’s 45 members attended Kapululangu’s AGM. Highlights from the meeting were the elections: Sarah Daniels and Ruby Darkie are the new Chairs; Margaret Anjule (Bumblebee) and Marie Mudgedell are the new Vice-Chairs; Payi Payi Sunfly is the Secretary and Joan Eva Nagomara is the Treasurer. Other Directors are Dora Rockman, Maude Mandigalli and Nellie Njamme. The AGM reappointed Zohl dé Ishtar as Kapululangu’s Coordinator. The new Kapululangu Rule Book was adopted. The Coordinator’s Report was very interesting. It showed that even though it had little funding Kapululangu had successfully worked in all four of the Circles of Cultural Learning: Cultural Education, Cultural Healing, Cultural Safety, and Cultural Community Development. Over the 2007-08 year Kapululangu had had 339 events with 1960 users (“user incidences” counting multiple uses by individual women). This is remarkable given that Balgo only has about 175 Aboriginal females (of all ages). The biggest events were the Women’s Law Camp in August 2007 and the Young Women’s Culture Camp in April 2008. Kapululangu’s Money Story looked great too. From when Zohl became coordinator for Kapululangu the money in the bank had risen from $11,000 under the Red Line in July 2005 when Zohl came back to Kapululangu, to $2200 in July 2006, then it had risen slowly to $6270 in July 2007, and had jumped to $34,462 in July 2008. During this time there was no money to pay a coordinator so Zohl worked for her university until November 2007 when she left her job to help Margaret Anjule. Kapululangu would like to thank the Australian Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Queensland for supporting Zohl through three years of working and researching with Kapululangu.
Tuesday: WAC Circle of Elders supported Kapululangu’s appointment of Zohl as Kapululangu’s Coordinator.
The WAC Circle of Elders have supported Kapululangu’s appointment of Zohl dé Ishtar as Kapululangu’s Coordinator. This enables Kapululangu to use the funds of the Indigenous Women’s Program which Kapululangu applied for under WAC’s auspicing. After Kapululangu’s AGM on Monday the Kapululangu Directors contacted Wirrimanu Office to ask if they could meet with the Wirrimanu Directors because they wanted to start working with WAC. Kapululangu wasn’t able to meet with the WAC Directors because the WAC agenda was full when we rang. Four Kapululangu Directors met with WAC’s Chair, George Lee. The meeting included Ruby Darkie (our new Chair) and Margaret Anjule (our past Chair), also Payi Payi Sunfly and Marie Mudgedell. Three male elders came to the meeting to support the Kapululangu women – Larry Gundora, Helicopter and Brandy – yati minyirri! In what turned into the first meeting of the WAC Circles of Elders, the WAC Chair and Elders Circle endorsed the Kapululangu Directors and Members’ decision to re-appoint Zohl as their coordinator but as a paid position under the Indigenous Women’s Program managed by WAC. This is brilliant news. Thank you WAC!
Wednesday: Saying “Goodbye” to Brother Cal
Kapululangu joined everyone at the Airstrip to say “goodbye” and “thank you” to Brother Cal who has always been very supportive of Kapululangu and its elders. Kapululangu’s going-away gift to Brother Cal was to arrange with him for Zohl and the Elders to teach Language Classes for Kartiya next year. These classes will continue Br Cal’s more than 10 years of helping Kartiya learn the local languages. Kapululangu’s wish for Br Cal is that he stays strong and healthy in his body and his spirit. He understood how important Aboriginal Law is to be able to walk strong in the Tjukurrpa (Dreaming) –the Holy Spirit also known as “God”.
Thursday: Culture Class at Luurnpa School
Kapululangu Elders did their fourth and last Sand-Story Culture Class with the kids at Luurnpa School. Each class has been very different from the others, and this one focused on bush tucker stories. Stories were told by Margaret Anjule, Payi Payi Sunfly, Dora Rockman and Nellie Njamme. Twenty kids listened very carefully and copied the women’s drawing in their own area of sand. Thanks to Maria for bringing her class. A big thank you to Mungkina Mary for organising the four sessions with Kapululangu. We hope to start more classes next year. This project is funded by Quaker Service Australia.
Friday: Bush Tucker and Cooking Class
Women elders took some young women to Lake Merrick to gather mungil (black seeds). The women cleaned the seeds out at the Lake using luwantja (coolamons/wooden dishes) and then brought the seeds back to the Women’s Centre for grinding on a yipinyarnu (grinding stone table) using a tjungarri (small handstone). The luwantja were very old and are beautifully painted. Margaret says that two of the luwantja were used to carry her grandchildren around before there were any prams in Balgo. Thank you to Warlayirti Art and Culture Centre who look after these very important tools on behalf of Balgo community. Then there was a cooking lesson by volunteer Vicki Godfrey who helped everyone cook Lamb Casserole/Stew.
12 December 2008
Last Week’s Activities:
The Cultural Workshops have been going on all week. Seven young women have been trained by Chris and Vicki in using a video camera, cameras, sound-equipment and computers. They also learned to make shoot great films and to create photo-stories about Kapululangu’s activities. A big thank you to our four main young women who became trainers of the younger women: Leah Sims, Alicia Magee, Dominica Magee and Cynthia Smith. This is good for Kapululangu because now it means that we have a group of young women who are able to help us document our events. Kapululangu hopes that you can help us record the stories of the women elders. There’s a lot more work to do on this project next year so we hope you will stay involved with this project. Kapululangu thanks Smyl Community Services for helping us with this project.
Sunday: Painting Planning Day.
Three Trainers filmed seven young women and six Elders as they thought about the problems facing young women in Balgo and then about what they could do that might make those problems stop. What problems did young women in Balgo have? What did young women in Balgo think was causing the problems? What did young women feel they could do that might stop the problems? The women and elders painted their thoughts on paper. They had many interesting things to say and had great ideas about how young women might be able to act to help stop the problems that they are facing or see other young women facing in their lives. This activity was funded by the Department of Indigenous Affairs Western Australia and Smyl Community Services.
Monday: Hand Sign Stories
We didn’t to do the Hand Sign workshop on Monday because the day was taken up by community meetings. But on Saturday a film was made of the elders telling stories using their hands at the Afternoon Tea to Celebrate and Close the project.
Tuesday and Wednesday: Making Stories Days
These two days were spent working on the computers to make photo-stories out of all of the films and photos that had been collected over the past week. It was a time of bringing photos together and writing stories for the Kapululangu Tenth Birthday Book.
Thursday: Making Muungil Bush Black Seed Damper
More work was done with the computers on Thursday but there was also time for an exciting workshops following up on last week’s trip to Lake Merrick to collect muungil (bush black seeds). The women elders cleaned and prepared the seeds using luwantja (coolamons). Payi Payi Sunfly and Dora Rockman worked really hard with Margaret Anjule and Maude Mandigalli helping them. They were all filmed and photographed by three young women working with our two volunteers. The elders tried to teach the younger women how to kippil (clean) the seeds. Everyone had a big laugh when Zohl tried to do it but everyone was happy when she finally managed to add some seeds to the collection. The elders washed and soaked the seeds ten times to get the dirt and salt out of the seeds.
Saturday: End of the Workshop Celebration
An Afternoon Tea was held at Kapululangu’s Culture Shed to Celebrate the workshop. It was also a time to say “goodbye” to Chris and Vicki. Lots of women and girls came. They enjoyed looking at all the films and photos that had been taken during the Workshop. There was also time to finish working the muungil bush seeds. The women elders worked hard grinding the seeds using a yipinyarnu (grinding stone table) using a tjungarri (small hand stone). Then they made it into Johnny Cakes and cooked them in the ground. Everyone was excited when it came time to eat them. They were very delicious. Zohl says that preparing seeds is really hard work and that the elders were very clever and must have worked hard when they lived in the Olden Days. We also filmed some of the elders talking with their hands – using sign language. This was also an opportunity for the young women to show how they do filming and take photographs. The main young women involved in this project all received Certificates in recognition of their work.
Saying “Goodbye” to Chris and Vicki
Kapululangu’s First Caretaker Project has sadly come to an end. Our two Volunteer Caretakers Chris Henderson and Vicki Godfrey have worked hard to look after the Women’s House on the Kapululangu Women’s Law Ground and have really helped Zohl and the women elders.
Chris and Vicki want to say to everyone in Balgo …
“Thank you to the Balgo community for your warm welcomes and smiles and assistance – all through the three weeks we’ve been here helping Zohl as volunteer caretakers of Kapululangu’s Women’s House … while we’ve visited the Store…and while we’ve been working on the Kapululangu Tenth Birthday Book project with the women Elders, the young women, and Zohl …and participating in the events of your community. It’s been an honour to assist and learn from the women Elders, and especially to see how they are making and keeping Balgo strong through looking after and passing on Law and Culture to the young women and children. We hope that the films and photos of Aboriginal culture that the young women took during this project has contributed to the very important work that Kapululangu does helping older and younger women work together to keep the culture strong. We hope that the book helps the generations stay strong together. Thank you to Zohl for her support in guiding us and in creating this wonderful volunteer opportunity for us to contribute to - and to learn from - your community. Kapululangu is a very important organisation and it has been great to be a part of it if only for a little while.”
Kapululangu Women Elders say to Chris and Vicki:
“Yati Minyirri (thank you) for coming to Kapululangu and helping us good. It has been good fun. You worked hard for us. We grew you up little bit in our Culture. You are Nungarrayi and Napurrula. You have to come back to be with us again. Don’t go away a long time. Come back.”
