Pantjiti Unkari McKenzie facts for kids

Pantjiti Unkari McKenzie (born around 1941 or 1942) is an important Pitjantjatjara woman from the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands in Australia. She has done many things in her life. She is an artist, a filmmaker, an actor, and a teacher. She also records stories and cultural history. Pantjiti is a traditional healer, known as a Ngangkari, and a respected leader in her community. In 2019, she received the Order of Australia Medal. This award was for her great work helping Indigenous people in the Northern Territory.

Pantjiti McKenzie's Work

Pantjiti McKenzie is a very talented artist. She creates beautiful paintings. She also works with batik, which is a way of dyeing fabric. Her art includes sculptures made from wood and glass. She also makes amazing things from tjanpi, which is a type of native grass.

Early Media Work

In the 1980s, Pantjiti and her husband started EVTV. This was the first media group in Australia run by Indigenous people. They made many films, over a thousand in total! These films showed important events, like the Lands Rights movement. This movement was about Indigenous people getting their traditional lands back. They also worked for PY Media. This was part of a program called BRACS. It helped remote Aboriginal communities have their own broadcasting.

Teaching and Healing

Pantjiti McKenzie is a dedicated teacher. She teaches the Pitjantjatjara language to others. This helps keep the language strong.

She is also a respected traditional healer. She is known as a senior law woman. She specializes in helping women with their health.

Preserving Culture

Pantjiti McKenzie is famous for her work in keeping cultural heritage alive. She shares important knowledge and stories. She has worked with the NPY Women's Council. This group helps women and families in the Ngaanyatjarra, Pitjantjatjara, and Yankunytjatjara Lands.

She was part of the Uti Kulintjaku team. This team helped create special meditations. These meditations were recorded in Pitjantjatjara and Ngaanyatjarra languages. They were added to the Smiling Mind meditation app. This helps more people learn about mindfulness in their own language.

Public Appearances

Pantjiti McKenzie has shared her knowledge in public. She has appeared in different projects.

• Language in the Land: Pitjantjatjara
• Campfire Stories

Personal Life

Pantjiti McKenzie was born near the Blackstone Ranges. This area is in Western Australia. She has spent most of her life living in Pukatja. This community is also known as Ernabella.