KJ has been recording more Martu ninti (knowledge) and wangka (language) after Martu told us we needed to do more. With more pujiman (desert-born people) getting older, there has been a big push to learn from the old people, and to record their stories so that Martu can hold these stories into the future. 

The Punmu Women & Families Program (WFP) team works closely with the ranger teams and the schools to bring whole families together on-country. The WFP teams have many ideas for 2020, including more trips out on-country, being involved in longer camps, coming together to cook, read, play and learn language. 

The Kunawarritji Kinyu rangers have been very active on the Canning Stock Route over the past few months. A highlight was a Pujiman Camp held jointly with the Kiwirrkurra rangers. This featured digging for goannas, cat-hunting, carving and building a spinifex shelter. 

The Parnngurr rangers were involved in the firearms training which was undertaken over three days. Theory, cleaning techniques and safe handling of rifles were are covered, along with a day spent on-country with firearms target shooting.

Kunawarritji ranger station and surrounds has been busy, busy, busy. They’ve installed a new car wash, three ‘slow down’ signs, and finished off the ‘Kinyu rangers’ mural. Not to mention implementing a ‘Home improvements Raffle’ for lucky community members!

Participants of the Martu Leadership Program (MLP) came together at Roy Hill. One senior elder commented “For me now, I’m really proud of all you leadership mob, we’ve struggled through our life and we try to find a way to solve these problems. But you can’t do it alone. We need that one voice to push it along — let’s work together and let’s see what good comes out.” 

More than 50 Martu of all ages — including ranger teams, families, school children and artists — came together for KJ’s first ever Language Camp! 

Martu have visited Roebourne Regional Prison every month over the last six months to lead an ongoing conversation about alcohol. 

The rangers are forming firm friendships with the crew members from the Department of Biodiversity and Conservation fire crews of the Swan Coastal District. 

KJ’s applied linguist, Duke (Garry Earl-Spurr), recently visited the University of Western Australia (UWA) to give a seminar about KJ’s language program. He spoke to the audience about where Martu are from, and about how Martu are still looking after the languages they belong to the “right-way”.