Punkaliyarra

Big hART

Big hART is Australia’s leading arts for social change organisation, co-delivering award-winning projects with communities nationwide. 2023 marks Big hART’s 30th year highlighting urgent issues through compelling content. This year brings Perth audiences the gift of story, screen and song from the resilient and creative community of Ieramugadu (Roebourne).

“I say to these young people – you are country” 

Drawing an audience into an intimate journey, Punkaliyarra traces a circle from the past to the future, exploring the voices, culture and living practices of women that persist against all odds. Film, animation sound, music, movement and spoken word combine into a one-hour audience experience, giving strong voice to the women of Ieramugadu (Roebourne). 

As we travel through stunning Pilbara landscapes, Punkaliyarra observes the lessons of the Seven Sisters, who began their cosmic journey across this vast Country, when heaven and earth were very close. As lands and waters rose in their path, deep foundations for women’s relationships were also formed – innately connected to the environment, and all living things.  

“I am not a stranger. I belong to this river. You belong to me, we belong to each other” 

Punkaliyarra immerses an audience in the relationship between women and Country, as it weaves outwards through kinship and families, and is expressed through the relationship of 'punkali' (sister- in-law). Surrounded by the beauty of Ngarluma and Yindjibarndi lands, we see the interconnection between land, language and knowledge. 

Infused with joy, laughter and depth, the stories of women rise up around us. Stories of power. Of connection. Of disruption, and restoration. We hear young women walking in two worlds and reaching for country. We hear senior women holding the knowledge, and holding each other.  

“Learning to live with only your heartbeat, then to give and share what you have” 

Women have always been part of the fight. Their resistance against cultural destruction is ongoing – against the disruption of the environment, community and kinship. Through these stories, Punkaliyarra calls for the restoration of women’s leadership and knowledge systems – to heal Country and community. 

Grounded in a deep intergenerational process, Punkaliyarra is an outcome of a broad women’s project in Ieramugadu, where young women join senior women and artists in a rich creative program of knowledge sharing, storytelling and connection on Country. Big hART acknowledges and pays deep respect to the women and men of Ieramugadu who guide this daily work.