Papunya School became stronger and stronger as they used their community to set in place the things that were important for them to learn. They learnt both Anangu and Tjulkura ways. They started to spread their school out to the outstations where they could meet the needs of those who did not wish to live in the close community of Papunya. As the school became stronger so did the community as the Anangu realised that by taking a united stand they could achieve almost anything as they did with the Power issue and with their land rites claims. We really liked their approach to solving the alcohol problem. Maybe some other communities should follow suit.
As many of the Anangu people wanted to return to their country to be part of it as they were before the Tjulkura came the school decided that they should go with them.The arrival of their new Principal, Diane De Vere, gave the school and community further guidance towards achieving their vision following the honey ants as in the painting. The school was teaching the children the old ways, the history from the Tjukurpa, as well as western ways - this would give the Anangu children a better chance of understanding the white man in the future. they also were able to guide themselves in excelling in sport such as AFL & Softball.
It also worked in reverse as the school helped the children and the community through the promotion of art, music, dance and culture which they have taken to the world. Now so many other Australians have experienced the Papunya culture.
This will continue as the Papunya School produces its own books in Pintupi and Luritja languages.
The Papunya community has given Australia so much in culture - Warumpi music (we really like Blackfella Whitefella), the Parliament House mosaic (which we will see in August) their art and their history. We are much richer for learning about Papunya.
The approval of land rites claims such as the claim around Central Mt Wedge means so much to the Anangu but also as much to the white Australians because it means that we recognise indigenous history and indigenous needs to be part of the land.
