Fifteen years ago, Mr Taylor founded KJ with Sue Davenport and Peter Johnson, who were also honoured. Muuki is KJ’s senior cultural advisor and founded KJ to assist Martu to remain connected to country and culture.

To combat the threats to mankarr (bilby) populations, BHP is supporting the “Martu mankarr search” method which is based on Martu knowledge of desert ecology, classification of habitat types, fire patterns, food resources, threats and management practices that affect desert animals.

Martu have partnered with the Western Australian Museum to share Martu stories in the new museum which is scheduled to open in late 2020. One of these stories is about Martu knowledge of yintakaja (permanent waterholes) in the desert.

In early March, KJ started delivering audio recorder training sessions in communities. KJ’s Country & Culture team member, Tam (aka Lunkuta) visited Kunawarritji community where rangers, community members and high school students from Rawa School all came together to learn and practice on the new recorder.

While the communities have been locking down due to the Coronavirus the rangers teams, while practising physical distancing, have been busy caring for country, looking after elders, engaging in cultural activities and giving their workspaces a touch-up.

Between late February and early March, over forty Martu Leadership Program (MLP) participants from all communities were involved in a suite of activities in Newman and Perth. This work continues to develop the capacity of the MLP participants to work confidently within the mainstream world and promote Martu aspirations.

A number of day and overnight trips have occurred with over twenty Martu from Jigalong engaging in the program. Martu have also been involved in a number of workshops at the BHP Shed in community: brainstorming how they want the program to run.

Many Martu have always said that older and younger Martu need to teach and learn the knowledge and practices of their old people, Pujiman. Retaining and sharing these practices takes time, planning and a community to bring it all together. Martu who work with KJ and Martumili Artists spent time on country to talk about waru (fire).

Martu have been carving it forward, with help from the Dream it Forward grant! The grant has contributed to the development of a new beginning for Martu elders to recommence carving — a practice that had been steadily eroded over the past 10 years, largely due to a lack of accessibility to carving tools.

Martu have been saying for a long time they would like to see more of KJ’s non-Martu staff learning their languages. It’s a message that hasn’t gone unheeded – as Martu have been coming into the office to teach staff, and bit-by-bit, they’re learning!