WARRANKU NINTI FESTIVAL

BY ASAD KHAN AND CASSIE ARIUU

The Shire of East Pilbara worked with the First Nations Martumili Artists to offer a spectacular light and sound show at the Warrarnku Ninti Festival, held in the city of Newman, approximately 1280 kms away from Perth.

The artists and their families are the traditional custodians of vast stretches of the Great Sandy, Little Sandy and Gibson Deserts as well as the Karlamilyi (Rudall River) area.

Anthony Middleton, Shire President, said the light and sound show will be a display of local talent and creativity, which deserves to be widely honoured and celebrated.

 “We are very proud of the artists and their contribution to culture and history in the East Pilbara Shire. From Friday opening night through to Monday closing night the Martumili Gallery Space will be open for viewing.

“The exhibition also features weaving workshops facilitated by Martu artist Kathleen Sorensen, so I encourage every resident to get along to what will be an outstanding event and a celebration of the diversity of artistic talent we hold in this local community.”

Nicole O'Neill, Director of Community Experience for the Shire of East Pilbara, said it was all for the community and there are more plans for the NAIDOC. 

“You can also see their work come to life,”

Sylvia Wilson, an Indigenous artist who also works at the Martumili, said she is happy to be working to be working here.

“ Working here, it's just amazing and I didn't need to really think every day where I'm working and in my dream job,” she said.

Listen to the Indigenous artist Sylvia Wilson, Shire President Anthony Middleton and Director of Community Experience Nicole O’Neill speak to Cassie Ariuu: