Ngaanyatjarra Media

Who We Are?

Ngaanyatjarra Media is a division of Ngaanyatjarra Council and is currently in the process of becoming separately incorporated. Its aim is to address the needs of the yarnangu (indigenous people) living on the Ngaanyatjarra Lands in providing media and communications services, training and employment. It receives its recurrent funding through ATSIC to service the 12 communities with BRACS (Broadcasting for Remote Aboriginal Communities Scheme) facilities. It provides local radio and television broadcast as well as production and distribution of cultural, educational and training programs in Ngaanyatjarra language. Ngaanyatjarra Media supports the interests of the Ngaanyatjarra people in maintenance of culture, self-determination, empowerment and access to modern telecommunications technology and skills.

The Ngaanyatjarra lands are home to some 2432 yarnangu (people) across 18,585,000 hectares (almost the size of NSW) in the Gibson and Great Victoria Deserts. There are 12 communities with BRACS (Broadcasting for Remote Aboriginal Communities Scheme) facilities on the Ngaanyatjarra Lands. They are Warburton, Warakurna, Tjukurla, Wanarn, Papulankutja (Blackstone), Mantamaru (Jameson), Irrunytju (Wingellina), Kiwirrkurra, Tjirrkarli, Cosmo Newberry, Tjuntjuntjara and Coonana.

Aims of Ngaanyatjarra Media?

The primary objective of Ngaanyatjarra Media is to support and promote cultural maintenance and social wellbeing on the Ngaanyatjarra Lands. We do this by encouraging yarnangu voices on the radio and yarnangu images on the TV, as well as supporting and recording Tjukurrpa, Inma, oral histories and other culturally and socially significant activities. Our other aims are:

• To promote strength and unity on the Ngaanyatjarra Lands through the creation and provision of media to express the interests and concerns of the Ngaanyatjarra people.
• Supporting Ngaanyatjarra communities, Council and associated entities in their media needs through regional planning and coordination.
• To provide a regional media policy and guidelines on the Ngaanyatjarra Lands to ensure culturally appropriate modes of production and distribution. This includes protection of privacy, intellectual property, Law and cultural sensitivity for Ngaanyatjarra individuals and groups, as well as developing awareness of legal rights with respect to privacy and copyright ownership laws.
• To promote a greater awareness of the views, concerns and interests of Ngaanyatjarra people to the broader community from a yarnangu perspective, where this is considered appropriate and desirable.
• To organise media training and encouraging awareness of the tools and techniques of media and the potential for yarnangu using the media. Ensuring training is available on the Ngaanyatjarra Lands and within the communities.
• To represent the Ngaanyatjarra people within a national media context. This includes promoting Ngaanyatjarra input into the indigenous media sector, as well as in the mainstream media, networking with other indigenous media organisations and sharing experience and resources to help promote remote media interests.
• Ensuring the long-term viability of the Media program on the Ngaanyatjarra Lands.

Where We Started

Irrunytju Media (Irrunytju being the indigenous name for Wingellina Community) began in 1992 with a vision of recording and distributing Inma (traditional dance and song) and Tjukurrpa (stories). This has resulted in hundreds of hours of video and audio recordings over 10 years. In mid-1999 ATSIC commissioned a Major Review of the Irrunytju Media BRACS Program. This review recognised that a large body of work had been made by Irrunytju Media and saw the potential for a brighter, stronger future. In 2000 Irrunytju Media became Ngaanyatjarra Media falling under the umbrella of Ngaanyatjarra Council as opposed to Irrunytju Community.

• A three year strategic plan;
• A charter declaring service and commitment;
• A Ngaanyatjarra Magazine and Video Newsletter
• A scheduled calender of cultural and training events
• A regional Archive
• A regional network of Radio and Television
• Print Media & Graphic Design
• Web Design
• Translation Services
• Stills Photography