connecting communities for a brighter future

Punmu is a remote community, located on the lands of the Martu people, between the Great Sandy and Gibson deserts in Western Australia.

And, yet they understand all too well the value of connections.

Our team was recently invited to support the Punmu community in partnership with Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa, an organisation working with Martu peoples to build strong, sustainable communities.

We collaborated on a series of engaging arts activities, through their Women and Family Program, with the aim to strengthen community relationships through creative activities.

Community First Development volunteer, Kat, came on board to facilitate the sessions. Kat utilised her expertise in diverse creative arts and crafts to create a vibrant environment where community members could express themselves and connect while celebrating their rich cultural heritage.

Kat agreed to stay with community for two weeks. This allowed the opportunity to plan for a greater number of activities and engage the local school and caregivers.

The community’s aspiration for the project was to empower and strengthen Martu women and caregivers. So that they could enhance their confidence through participation and, in turn, foster leadership and positive change moving forward.

Because we know that when we uplift our women, it has a positive impact on the entire community.

These projects wouldn’t be possible without the support from our wonderful supporters!

We worked with Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa and Martu women to identify and develop activities that demonstrated respect for culture and connection to Country, while encouraging the development of new skills.

Participants went on Country to collect local flora to dye their creations and were excited to incorporate their own artistic designs into their pieces.

Kat also took the opportunity to share the activities with the local school, which encouraged other community members and caregivers to participate.

The success of this project was evident in the increased interaction, participation, and strengthened relationships within the Punmu community and with the local school.

These moments reflect the transformative power of creative activities when we hold connection, respectful engagement, and self-determination at the core.

Martu mob weren’t the only ones who were learning through this project.

Before travelling to Punmu, our expert community development team ensured Kat could complete Martu cultural training that provided her with an insight into Martu history, language, and local cultural practices.

This preparation enabled her to interact respectfully and effectively with community members and significantly enhanced the impact of our collaborative efforts.

During this transformative project, Kat also had the privilege of being taken out on Country by the women to further explore Martu culture, knowledge, and skills.

For the Martu women of Punmu it was an opportunity to develop their confidence in teaching the Martu Way. They shared their expertise, showing Kat how to identify animal tracks, harvest bush tomatoes, and dig for grubs.

The immersive experience gave Kat a deeper understanding and respect for Indigenous cultures and knowledge systems.

The exchange exemplified the essence of two-way learning. It provided opportunities for the Martu people and Kat to acknowledge that both are teaching and learning together.

This method of education in the Martu community acknowledges that cultural knowledge and skills are valuable and important, where Western education methods work alongside rather than dominating teaching approaches.  

When you give to Community First Development you are supporting the dreams and aspirations of self-determining First Nations’ communities.

You are also supporting a more inclusive society. One where all voices are valued, and mutual respect and shared learnings are the building blocks for a brighter future for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples alike.

Will you give a gift today so more remote communities, like the Martu peoples of Punmu, can access the opportunities to improve outcomes for women and families whilst promoting intercultural understanding and respect?