Pintupi Anmatyerr Warlpiri Media and Communications (PAW Media) began life as Warlpiri Media Association in 1984. We are based at Yuendumu, a remote but important Aboriginal community on the edge of the Northern Territory’s Tanami Desert. The organisation was established by yapa (Warlpiri people) in 1984 to research, record, protect and share our culture through media and technology. As a result of that work, we have built the most prominent audiovisual cultural archive on-Country in Central Australia. The substantial records of Warlpiri cultural heritage are deeply meaningful for our communities. The songs, stories, activities and people who feature in those collections are core to our cultural identity.
This book was made possible by the Australian Research Council–funded Linkage project, in which PAW Media’s Warlpiri researchers and community members partnered with researchers from the University of Sydney and Australian National University. It is the first co-publication we have produced with Sydney University Press, and we hope there will be more in the future.
This project has involved two Partner Investigators: our Directors Simon Japangardi Fisher and Valerie Napaljarri Martin. Japangardi and Napaljarri were co-editors of the book and co-authors of the first two chapters. They also oversaw important interviews with Elders, in which they shared their aspirations for younger generations to engage with our cultural collections as a way they can learn about their culture into the future. Many other staff have also been involved in the project activities, including our graphic designer Jason Japaljarrri Woods, who contributed to the book’s cover design.
The chapters in this publication have all been written by Warlpiri people from our communities in Yuendumu, Nyirrpi, Lajamanu, Willowra and Alekarenge in collaboration with researchers with whom we have enjoyed rich relationships going back decades. The chapters highlight the challenges we face in passing on our songs and stories to younger generations. For that work, the Directors are deeply grateful to Dr Georgia Curran and her colleagues, who worked with us to record a priceless collection of traditional Warlpiri songs.
It is really important for us to document those songs and ceremonies. Too many of our Warlpiri Elders are passing away without the opportunity to share this core knowledge with younger generations.
The work that underpins this book will help keep our culture strong into the future.
Directors: Simon Japangardi Fisher, Valerie Napaljarri Martin, Elizabeth Napaljarri Katakarinja, Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves, Wilfred Jupurrurla Nelson, Robert Jampijinpa Robertson, Adam Japaljarri Gibbs, Francis Jupurrurla Kelly and Karl Japaljarri Hampton