Peppimenarti, Northern Territory facts for kids
Quick facts for kids PeppimenartiNorthern Territory |
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 Peppimenarti
Location in Northern Territory
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| Population | 178 (2016 census) |
| Postcode(s) | 0822 |
| Location | |
| LGA(s) | West Daly Region |
| Territory electorate(s) | Daly |
| Federal Division(s) | Lingiari |
Peppimenarti, often called "Peppi", is a special Aboriginal Australian community. It is located in the Daly River area of the Northern Territory, Australia. Peppimenarti sits on Tom Turner Creek, about 320 kilometers (200 miles) southwest of Darwin. In 2016, 178 people lived in the community.
An outstation called Emu Point is located about 38 kilometers (24 miles) from Peppimenarti. An outstation is a smaller, often more traditional, settlement linked to a main community.
What's in a Name?
The name Peppimenarti comes from local Aboriginal words. Peppi means "rock" and menarti means "large." So, the name refers to a big rock formation that overlooks the community. At the bottom of this rock, there is a wide stream and several pools. These pools are a very important sacred site for the local people.
A Look at Peppi's Past
In the early 1970s, an Aboriginal group called Unia worked hard to create a permanent home for the local Ngangikurrunggurr people. They wanted to set up a cattle station within the Daly River Aboriginal Reserve. Because of their efforts, the community was given a large area of land, about 2,000 square kilometers (770 square miles). This land was later officially protected by the Northern Territory's Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1976. This law helps Aboriginal people get their traditional lands back.
Harold Wilson was a very important person in setting up Peppimenarti. He was born in the Peppimenarti area. As a child, he was taken from his family and sent to government places. When he grew up, he decided to return to his homeland with his wife, Regina Pilawuk Wilson, and their family. They wanted to create a lasting settlement there. Harold later became the President of the Peppimenarti Association. He used his knowledge of both Aboriginal and European ways to help his community. He made sure that Aboriginal voices were heard in important decisions.
Life in Peppimenarti
Peppimenarti is located on Tom Turner Creek, about 320 kilometers (200 miles) southwest of Darwin. It is also 120 kilometers (75 miles) west of the Daly River crossing. You can usually reach Peppimenarti by road for seven months of the year. However, during the wet season, the roads often flood or become too rough to drive on. During these times, the only way to get to Peppimenarti is by plane. A mail plane flies to the community once a week.
The main language spoken in Peppimenarti is Tyemirri. This is a type of Nganʼgityemerri. English is the second most common language in the area.
Amazing Art and Music
Peppimenarti is known for its talented artists. In 2001, a group of artists started an art program called Durrmu Arts. Today, Durrmu Arts is famous for its modern acrylic painting and special fibre weaving.
Regina Pilawuk Wilson, who is Harold Wilson's wife, is a well-known artist from Peppimenarti. She and another artist, Teresa Lemon, took part in the Pacific Arts Festival in New Caledonia in 2003. Since then, their art has been shown in many exhibitions both in Australia and around the world. Regina Pilawuk Wilson even won a major art prize, the General Painting Prize, at the 2003 Telstra National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art Award. Her paintings have been displayed in big museums in the United States and Canada.
The famous country singer Slim Dusty even has a popular song called "Plains of Peppimenarti." In the song, he sings that Peppimenarti is "one place I really like to go."
