On Wednesday the 15th of May 2024, Nyangatjatjara students from Imanpa campus participated in an ‘On Country’ learning activity to ‘Puli-Blue’, Imanpa Community, Northern Territory. ‘Puli Blue’ is a short 3.8km drive from Imanpa Community on unsealed roads, and is a location of cultural significance for the Anangu people of Imanpa Community. It is located: https://maps.app.goo.gl/9VJVr1HyuvuYZdGdA The process of establishing a suitable location for the On Country learning activities were developed firstly through early consultations with Community Elders including Gary Mumu and David and Lilian Inkamala. To begin the process, an initial site-visit was arranged on the 7th of May 2024 with Gary Mumu. Gary shared historical stories of ‘Puli Blue’, identified local bush foods, and gave permission for Nyangatjatjara College to facilitate On Country activities at this location.  Following this initial consultation, I did another site visit with David Inkamala on the 9th of May 2024. We walked up the ravine to assess how far up the water was, and to find out if it was possible for the Early Years and Primary students to safely do this trek. From this hike, we’ve identified that water was too far up to walk to on foot and that instead students would need to do activities at base of the ravine. David expressed that he was happy to talk with students at the base of the ravine about his memories of the place as a little child and the dream-time story of ‘Wanampi’ (The Rainbow Serpent) sleeping in the top waterhole, carving the ravine, and bringing down the water. He also explained there are remnants of old Wiltja’s nearby that could be talked about and how the old people used to camp there for water before travelling on. This visit was important for developing a clear risk-assessment and curriculum plan for suitable On Country learning activities for the students. After these initial community consultations, on Wednesday the 15th of May 2024, Imanpa students were part of the first On-Country Bush-Trip of the Year. Before setting off on the On Country Bush Trip, students were given an overview of the learning activities for the day, and a presentation of the connections between Ranger work and On Country learnings. Students learnt that the days activities were considered a career training opportunity for future Ranger work. Students were shown the ‘Little Ranger Awards’ that would be presented to good listeners and learners.The students were supervised by Nyangatjatjara College staff along with Adelaide Church from Tangetyere Council and Anangu Community members David Inkamala and Kevin and Elizabeth Wilson. After the day plan was shared with 16 little Rangers from School, and with four fully loaded vehicles, we headed out to ‘Puli Blue’ (Imanpa Blue Rock). Nyangatjatjara students were very happy to be heading out onto Country! On our slow walk down to ‘Puli Blue’ Kevin & Elizabeth Wilson along with David Inkamala taught students about the bush food ‘Arnguli’ (Bush Plum - Tantalum Lanceolatum) and the bush medicine plant ‘Wakalpuka’ (Dead Finish Bush - Acacia Tetragonophylla) Kevin taught students about how sharp quartz pieces were used historically by ancestors by attaching them onto spear-throwers with kangaroo tendons and spinifex resin glue and. Kevin also taught students to identify animals by their droppings. David taught students how to identify native animals by their tjina (tracks). At the base of the ravine of ‘Puli Blue’, the students participated in rotating activities with David, Kevin, and Elizabeth. Students had the opportunity to learn the Pitjantjatjara names of native animals by playing flash-card activities, learn traditional knowledge teachings connected with fauna and flora, and also the history of ‘Puli Blue’ and it’s cultural significance to Anangu people. The community support and willingness to share was excellent, and despite the challenges of many flies, the students were engaged and behaved well.  The documenting of the activities throughout the day has also proved to be an important source of rich learning material which has been translated into the book ‘Puli Blue Ankunytja’ (Bush Trip to Blue Hill) developed by Adelaide Church of Tangentyere Council. The Puli Blue On Country learning activity was a valuable experience for all the staff and students involved, and is helping to facilitate a stronger two-way learning model. The integration of Pitjantjatjara language learning along with two-way Science, History, and developing an understanding of aspects of Anangu Ranger work, has been excellent.  The On Country Puli Blue activity is recognised as an important and meaningful event which continues to offer staff and students opportunities for meaningful two-way learning.

The support and encouragement for the delivery of On Country Activities have been really valued and resulted in many positive outcomes for everyone involved. The On Country events themselves have given both Imanpa community members, staff, and students the opportunity to see the importance of Two-Way learning. After each of the three On Country Bush-Trips, we have seen the value in follow-up classroom reflective learning activities to help students deepen their understanding of two-way learning.  Documenting these Activities through photographs, audio, and video has proven to be very important, and by using this media in different ways will help in generating future integrated curriculum plans that will connect positively with students and Community. Special thanks must be given to Adelaide Church and the support of Tangentyere College in developing the Book ‘Puli Blue Ankunytja’ which celebrates the learning of the Puli Blue On Country Activity. This book has been really loved by Imanpa Community, and many adults in Imanpa community have appreciated that Nyangatjatjara College is bringing two-way learning back into the classroom. This was especially evident at last year’s Indigenous Literacy Day celebrations, where many Indigenous men and women from Imanpa expressed happiness in seeing the online version of ‘Puli Blue Ankunytja’ where both culture and language are recognised and valued. The reflective learning opportunities that have grown from the On Country Bush-Trips have also given community members further opportunities to positively connect with Nyangatjatjara College. David Inkamala, Kevin and Elizabeth Wilson, and Andrew Nugiary have successfully co-facilitated a review of the Puli Blue Activity along with follow-up activities including Tjina (Animal track) Identification and Visual Arts activities. Thank-you again for supporting Nyangatjatjara College with the On Country Bush-Trips and Two Way Learning. Kulintja Wiru! (Thinking Of Good Things) Alexander Dunton - Assistant Principal  Nyangatjatjara College - Imanpa Campus.

My name is Alexander Dunton. I am the Assistant Principal of Nyangatjatjara College - Imanpa Campus. Please find below an Activity Report of the ‘Tupunpa’ On Country Learning Bush Trip held in September 2024 which details the development, the On-Country learnings, and subsequent follow-up activities held at School.  On Thursday the 12th of September, Imanpa students went on their ‘Tupunpa’ (Sandhill) Bush-Trip with Nyangatjatjara staff and Community facilitators Kevin and Elizabeth Wilson.  The aim of this On Country learning experience was to give students the procedural understanding of identifying animal tracks, gathering ‘Maku’ (Witchetty-Grubs), and preparing and cooking ‘Marlu Wipu’ (Kangaroo Tail). The On Country Activities started with separating the students into two groups where the younger students and girls learnt about identifying native animal tjina (footprints) and the older boys gathered punu (wood) for cooking the Marlu Wipu. Elizabeth Wilson worked with students to identify local animals that could be found at Tupunpa, and practised with them pronouncing the names of the animals and identifying their corresponding tjina (tracks). Kevin worked with Anangu Education Teacher Andrew Nugiary to show the older boys the correct type of punu (wood) for making warlu (fire) for cooking Marlu Wipu. The gathering of the wood was an excellent team-building activity and and all students had the opportunity to learn about the importance of fire safety and fire hazard reduction. Kevin and Andrew also taught the students through procedural instructions how to make a fire with purku (hot coals) for cooking Marlu Wipu. Students then learnt how to singe and scrape the mangka (hair) off the Marlu Wipu. The process of preparing the fire, Marlu Wipu, and vegetables for cooking was a great opportunity to discuss traditional Anangu gender roles, and the changes in modern society. With teacher support, it also gave students the language skills to define and explain the sequential steps of preparing a traditional Anangu meal. While the Marlu Wipu was cooking in the purku (coals), Elizabeth taught students how to identity the signs of Witchetty grubs living in the roots of the Witchetty Bush (Acacia Kempeana). Although we didn’t have any success with finding any that day, it was still a valuable process for the students to observe.  The cooked Marlu Wipu along with roasted potato, pumpkin, carrot, and sweet potato was a great opportunity to celebrate the activities of learning, working together, and eating mai wiru (good food). Follow up classroom activities included learning about Procedural Writing, and later it is planned that a study of the identification of different types of punu (wood) for cooking will be explored.

On the 11th of November 2024, Imanpa students had the opportunity to get back out onto Country with 'On-Country Teachers David, Ruth, Kevin, and Elizabeth and supported by Tanya, Naomi, and Imanpa staff.  Stopping on the way to Wilbia, students learnt about different native Bush-Tuckers including a lali (sweet) secretion from the Kurku tree (Mulga) that loses its sweetness after the rain and the highly nutritious Mangata (Quangdong) tree. Once at Wilbia, students learnt about Ruth's connection to Country, and Andrew, David, and Kevin's work with the Angus Downs Rangers at Wilbia. We also learnt about the Tjiwa (grinding stone) and sacred significance of Puli (stone) and of not removing rocks from Country. After lunch we travelled to a nearby place where Kevin, David, and Andrew showed us ancient Punu (rock carvings) and its connection to Tjukurpa (Dreaming Stories) and Wanampi (Rainbow Serpent). It was special!

In Term 4 2019, Kulkarriya High School teacher Alexander Dunton and students from the remote Kimberley community Yungngora Community, facilitated two inter school exchanges with Saint Patrick's Boys College in Brisbane and Lauriston Girls' School in Melbourne. The High School students developed skills in organisation and leadership, and work experience in both tourism and hospitality. This learning was developed as an intensive integrated project that supported culture, language, and health and welling-being. This video hopes to inspire other remote schools to consider developing similar projects that celebrate culture, country, and community.

'Yungngora: History of our Ancestors' is a multi-media video production created by the students of Kulkarriya Community school. Yungngora is situated on the banks of the Fitzroy River in a remote far north west Kimberley community otherwise known as Noonkanbah Station. It is an Indigenous owned and operated cattle station, and the traditional land of the Yungngora people. Noonkanbah features prominently in 'On Sacred Ground'. This project was created in late 2018, and aims to present an accessible timeline narrative of Yungngora's History prior to European settlement until current times. Indigenous high school student Ewen Laurel narrates the production, and both middle and high school students contribute artworks to complement the narrative. This production was directed by classroom teachers Alexander & Keith Dunton, and features Art Direction and consultation by Indigenous teachers Trichelle Laurel and Wayne Watson. All the Best, Alexander Dunton. Middle & High School Teacher, Kulkarriya Community School, Yungngora Community, WA.

Tjina Ankula Kulini Ara Irititja -- Walking along thinking about the past. In September 2011 a group of 12 young men and 13 community elders from Fregon Community travelled across Walalkara Indigenous Protected Area for 3 days. The young boys and men hiked from rockhole to rockhole following a route that traditional owner Robin Kankanpakantja walked as boy when he and his family lived off the land. Palya! Photographs and Video edit by Alexander Dunton 2012.

In Term 1 2025, Nyangatjatjara College Imanpa Campus was proud to host the Plant & Seed Identification Workshop with the Mala Rangers from Mutijuli. A great day for staff and students to see wiru (good) role-models sharing their Central Desert Knowledge. In the afternoon, we also had the the opportunity to learn how to make the native medicinal 'Irmangka Irmangka' Bush Balm.

NPY Women's Council's Walytjapiti Program in collaboration with Nyangatjatjara College Imanpa Campus are proud to present the behind the scenes highlights of the 'Imanpa Super-Heroes' project.