Nyikina Mangala women's project

The women's trip brought people together from Jarlmadangah and Derby for an exploration into Walangkarr (Edgar Ranges) country, where many of the women's grandmothers walked out from only 50 - 100 years before. Many of the old women still speak about this country, and the many places they know and have rights over. The waterholes and springs are known through songs and names. In particular this trip was about searching for one waterhole where three of the women's grandmother spent much of her time as a child.

Travelling through bull dust and sandy creeks, the country was challenging in many ways. Driving as far as possible, we continued on more difficult terrain by foot. From atop a hill Johnny the cultural guide and elder for the area spotted Marloo (Kangaroo) tracks all heading in the same direction. Years of tracking told him there was only one place they were headed. As a group we meandered through the country following the tracks until the earth gave way to a deep and sheltered water hole. Years of animals and people utilising this water hole had carved out a narrow and polished track to the waters edge. At the waters edge Johnny explained that it was the right way to first place water in our mouths and spit it back into the water hole before drinking. This was to show respect and ask for good rains in the future.