The children, the teenagers, the young adults… those are the group of people that we need to be thinking about when they are on someone else’s country.

Dr. Elizabeth Marrkilyi Ellis was born under a gum tree in remote Western Australia on land earmarked by government for the Giles Weather Station. The Ngaatjatjarra educator, interpreter and linguist says in 1962 her parents and grandparents were entering a stage of settled existence while still living a semi-nomadic life.

Warakurna  is on the Great Central Road in the Gibson Desert, near the tri-state border between Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory.

Dr Ellis, who has taught her language in France, talks with CAAMA broadcaster Jenni Hubert about the many Ngaanyatjarra people who are already living in Mpartnwe/ Alice Springs and those that travel here for essential services. She says that they need to be a part of the conversation with agencies in Mpartnwe/ Alice Springs that are helping families.

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