Image – governance training by Eunice Porter

This painting is about the first Ngaanyatjarra Art Centre Governance Training. In March 2005 Warakurna Artists opened its studio and in June we started our governance training. Our first one was held in Papulankutja (Blackstone). All the Art Centres came together to learn about how to keep our businesses strong.
I am the Chairwoman for Warakurna Artists. It’s really importance that we work together with other Yarnangu (Aboriginal) owned and operated Art Centres and governance training is really important. You know we all have to work under one wiltja (shelter). These are our businesses. They are here for our future. We have to teach our children our culture, language and stories. We are learning how to run a business and learning whitefella way and teaching them Yarnangu way. We are creating a bridge, learning together. We are not worried for money; we know we are growing, steady, steady. This place is making us happy, we have something to do.
In this painting you can see Mr Peter Shepherd. He’s a whitefella from Darwin and he’s been helping us learn good business. Sitting next to him is KT (Kathy Tozer) she interprets for us in language. All us minyma and wati (ladies and men) are listening and you can see the Art Centre managers too. They are listening too, we are all learning together about money story, marketing and the ORIC rules.

(Image courtesy of the artist, Eunice Yunurupa Porter, and Warakurna Artists.)