Kiwirrkurra Community, Western Australia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids KiwirrkurraWestern Australia |
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 Kiwirrkurra
Location in Western Australia
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| Elevation | 433 m (1,421 ft) |
| Time zone | ACST (UTC+9:30) |
| Location |
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| LGA(s) | Shire of East Pilbara |
| State electorate(s) | Pilbara |
| Federal Division(s) | Durack |
Kiwirrkurra, also known as Kiwirrkurra Community, is a small town in Western Australia. It is located in the Gibson Desert, a large desert area. Kiwirrkurra is about 1200 kilometers (745 miles) east of Port Hedland and 700 kilometers (435 miles) west of Alice Springs. In 2016, about 165 people lived there. Most of them were Aboriginal Australians. Many people say Kiwirrkurra is the most remote community in all of Australia.
The main group that helps provide services to Kiwirrkurra is the Ngaanyatjarra Council. This council supports many communities in the region.
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History of Kiwirrkurra
Kiwirrkurra started in the early 1980s. It was built around a bore, which is a deep hole dug to get water. It was set up as a Pintupi settlement. This was part of a movement where Aboriginal people moved back to their traditional lands. The community became a permanent home in 1983.
Around that time, Kiwirrkurra was one of the last places where Aboriginal people still lived as nomadic groups. This means they moved from place to place to find food. A famous group known as the Pintupi Nine were some of the last nomadic people to come into contact with modern Australian society.
The community faced big floods in 2000 and again in March 2001. The floods in 2001 were so bad that all 170 people had to leave their homes. They first went to Kintore and then to Alice Springs. After four weeks, they moved to Morapoi Station, which is about 2000 kilometers (1240 miles) away. Moving to new places was a big challenge for the community. By late 2002, the people were able to move back to Kiwirrkurra.
In October 2001, the Kiwirrkurra people gained native title over a large area of land. This means they officially own and have rights to about 42,900 square kilometers (16,560 square miles) of their traditional land and waters.
A Catholic boys' school from Perth, called CBC Fremantle, has a special program with the Kiwirrkurra community. Students and teachers visit about once a year. They work to build good relationships and help improve things in the community. This also helps the students learn about Indigenous cultures.
The Kiwirrkurra community also worked to create the Kiwirrkurra Indigenous Protected Area. This special area helps protect the land and its culture. It was officially started in September 2014.
Location and Environment
Kiwirrkurra is located in the Gibson Desert in Western Australia. It is about 1200 kilometers (745 miles) east of Port Hedland and 700 kilometers (435 miles) west of Alice Springs. Even though it is outside the main area of the Ngaanyatjarra Lands, Kiwirrkurra is still connected with the Ngaanyatjarra Council. It is one of 11 communities that the council supports.
Even though it's in a desert, Kiwirrkurra is in a low area. This means water can collect there easily, making it prone to flooding.
The people who live in Kiwirrkurra are Pintupi. They speak the Pintupi language, which is one of several Western Desert languages.
How the Name is Spelled
The official name for the community is "Kiwirrkurra Community." This is how it is usually spelled. However, if you speak the Pintupi language, a more accurate way to spell it is "Kiwirrkura." This spelling is often used in books and other materials that focus on the language.
Community Facilities
Kiwirrkurra has a school campus called Kiwirrkurra Campus. In 2021, there were three teachers and 24 students. The school teaches the Pintupi language and culture. One school principal manages this school along with nine others in the Western Desert region of Western Australia. Together, these schools are known as the Ngaanyatjarra Lands School.
Notable People
- Takariya Napaltjarri (born around 1960) – An important Indigenous artist.
- Ningura Napurrula (around 1938 – 2013) – Another well-known Indigenous artist.
