Yankunytjatjara facts for kids
The Yankunytjatjara people are an Aboriginal Australian group. They live in the state of South Australia. Their name can also be spelled in other ways, like Yankuntjatjarra or Jangkundjara.
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Their Language
The Yankunytjatjara people speak their own language, also called Yankunytjatjara. This language is part of a larger group known as the Western Desert languages. It belongs to the Wati language family, which is a branch of the even bigger Pama-Nyungan languages spoken across Australia.
Their Traditional Lands
The traditional lands of the Yankunytjatjara people are very large. Historian Norman Tindale estimated that their tribal lands covered about 57,000 square kilometres (22,000 square miles). These lands included areas like the Musgrave Ranges. Their eastern border was near the Everard Ranges.
How They Organise Their Society
The Yankunytjatjara people have a special way of understanding family relationships, which is called kinship. Their words for family members are similar to those used by the Pintupi and Pitjantjatjara language groups. This shows how different Aboriginal groups are connected through their cultures.
Other Names for the Yankunytjatjara
Over time, the Yankunytjatjara people have been known by several different names or spellings. Some of these include:
- Alinjera (This name means 'north')
- Ankundjara
- Everard Range Tribe
- Jangkundjadjara
- Jangundjara, Jankundjadjara, Jankunzazara
- Jankuntjatjara, Jankuntjatara, Jankundjindjara
- Kaltjilandjara (This name was used by the Pitjantjatjara people and referred to a group of Yankunytjatjara living in the southwest.)
- Nankundjara
- Wirtjapakandja
- Yankunjara, Yangundjadjara, Janggundjara, Jangwundjara
Notable People
Many important people come from the Yankunytjatjara community. They have made a difference in areas like art, activism, and protecting their culture.
- Eileen Kampakuta Brown is an activist who worked to protect the environment. She even won the Goldman Environmental Prize for her efforts.
- Yami Lester was a strong advocate for Aboriginal rights and worked against nuclear testing.
- Tali Tali Pompey is a well-known artist.
- Whiskey Tjukangku was an elder and also a respected artist.
