International Women’s Day: Tanya Karpany
Mumeruki Ruwi - Tanya Karpany Business Profile alongside her floral arrangement.
‘Floral arrangements that have deep roots in Country’
As we celebrate incredible women this International Women’s Day, we had the privilege of speaking with Tanya Karpany, founder of Mumeruki Ruwi. Through her floral arrangements, Tanya weaves deep connections to Country, infusing her work with cultural significance.
In the Q&A below, she shares her journey in the floristry industry and the vital role Country plays in her business.
Community First Development has collaborated with Tanya in supporting her business, and we’re thrilled to share her inspiring journey with you.
Q&A with Tanya Karpany
What inspired you to start Mumeruki Ruwi?
In Ngarrindjeri language Mumeruki means flowers of the bulrush and Ruwi means land/Country. My Dad is from Raukkan and Mum is from the Coorong. Growing up, we often spent time with family close to Country, gaining an appreciation and love of the land.
My father was my greatest inspiration. He had a profound appreciation for art, plants, and significant knowledge about Ngarrindjeri language and animals. Following his passing four years ago, I observed a gap in the market for florists who provide culturally significant floral arrangements. This realisation motivated me to merge my weaving skills with floristry, allowing me to honour his legacy while fulfilling an important need in the community with flowers. My hope is to provide strength and comfort for First Nations and non-Indigenous people, thus acknowledging and showing respect for the Ancestors of this land.
A woven mat, Tanya’s weaving is inspired by her Great Great Great Grandmother Queen Louisa Karpany (Queen of the Ngarrindjeri Nation).
How has your culture influenced the way you run your business and create your products?
Growing up we were always told to hold onto who we are, our identity and where we are from. My objective is to support First Nations people by honouring their cultural backgrounds and offering comfort through the provision of flowers and plants native to their land. I hope to support the healing and grief process.
Mixed native floral with Ngarrindjeri bushtucker. Boomerangs made by Otis Elroy.
Native floral installation.
How does your business contribute to and engage with the local community?
Mumeruki Ruwi has engaged with Aboriginal organisations such as Nunkawarrin Yunti Graduations, S.A Reconciliation events, Peramangk Watta Survival Day 2025 and market stalls such as Stirling Laneways and an upcoming Local Food on Country event at Peninsula Provider. I attended a Fleurieu Swamp Restoration Network Field Day on Rushes and Sedges and spoke to landholders. I shared my developing business story to students at Open Access Centre – Marden, and provided floral arrangements for The Circle – End of year Celebration.
How do you educate customers about the cultural importance of certain floral arrangements?
Inspired by my Ancestors’ ancient knowledge and use of plants for bush food and medicine, I aim to share the cultural significance of particular Ngarrindjeri plant use and information with the arrangements.
Have you faced any challenges as a First Nations business owner, and how have you overcome them?
Accessing appropriate floral plants has been a challenge. I’ve overcome this by networking with different organisations to gain access to appropriate native plants for culturally relevant floral arrangements. There has been an overwhelmingly positive response about my business from people who are actively restoring and conserving native plants to prevent biodiversity loss. There are amazing efforts underway in restoring native plants and land care on Country.
What advice would you give to young Indigenous women who want to start their own business or community initiative?
Be persistent when following your heart. You may experience failure. I found that this has made me more resourceful, resilient and better at adapting to various situations. This valuable knowledge, combined with my passion to reach my goal is my strength to continue. Don’t lose sight of why you dreamed your dream.
What’s next for your business - any exciting projects or goals for the future?
I’m excited to continue designing floral arrangements, acknowledging and showing respect for the Ancestors of this land. I aim to achieve this by integrating my art, traditional weaving and floristry techniques. Being with community and a part of their events makes it really worthwhile.
A variety of these arrangements can be purchased at stalls and events, you can keep up to date about these in the Events & Blog section of Tanya’s website and via Instagram. You can even email Tanya and have a larger commissioned piece created! Learn more about her business via this QR code.