Central Arrernte, Eastern Arrernte & Alyawarra woman and Traditional Owner of Mparntwe (Alice Springs). Raised with deep connection to country and culture, Kristy's work bridges Indigenous knowledge systems with contemporary justice approaches, guiding young people to navigate two worlds with strength and cultural identity.
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Relational web
My strength emerges through connection to family, country, and cultural responsibility. The knowledge passed down from grandparents who protected their children from removal, the stories embedded in our sacred sites around Mparntwe, and the continued connection to Loves Creek Station all form the web of relationships that guide my practice. These connections allow me to approach young people from a place of cultural authority and deep understanding of the landscapes they navigate.
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Ways I Hold & Share Knowledge
Knowledge lives in stories and relationships to place. At Oonchiumpa, we share wisdom through cultural camps on country, where young people can sit with Elders and experience connection to land. Through culturally-led mentoring, we demonstrate the practice of living respectfully in two worlds. Our approach honours traditional ways of knowing that have sustained our people for generations while creating practical pathways for young people to walk confidently in contemporary contexts.
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Who I Walk For
I walk for the young people of Central Australia who haven't had the opportunities and support I was blessed with growing up. I walk for my ancestors who protected our knowledge through immense challenges. I walk for future generations who deserve to grow up strong in identity and culture, able to navigate their responsibilities and opportunities in both traditional and contemporary contexts.
Insights on culturally-led approaches to youth empowerment, connecting traditional knowledge with contemporary challenges in Central Australia.
The following are themes that have been identified through conversation
Leading from cultural knowledge passed through generations, creating spaces where young people connect to identity and responsibility.
Supporting young people to maintain cultural strength while developing skills to engage effectively in contemporary society.
Facilitating healing by bringing young people onto country where they experience belonging within ancient landscapes and stories.
Developing alternatives to punitive systems through practices grounded in cultural responsibilities and community relationships.
Building sustainable enterprises on traditional lands that honor cultural values while creating pathways to generational wealth.
Creating responses to complex issues that emerge from local knowledge and cultural understanding rather than external models.
Strengthening young people's sense of self within cultural frameworks as the basis for navigating life's challenges.
Honoring ancient decision-making processes while engaging effectively with contemporary institutional structures.
Born and raised in Mparntwe as a Central Arrernte, Eastern Arrernte and Alyawarra woman, my identity is woven into this landscape through ancestral connections that run deep. My grandmother was a full-blood Alyawarra woman from Hatches Creek who, to protect her children from removal, would place them in the sun to darken their skin before authorities arrived. My grandfather, a stolen generation survivor himself, eventually formally married my grandmother to prevent their children from being taken.
These family stories of resilience and protection form the foundation of who I am and how I approach my work. After twenty years in legal services, including working with the Royal Commission into the Protection and Detention of Children in the Northern Territory, I've witnessed firsthand the systems that disconnect our young people from culture and identity.
In 2022, alongside family members, we established Oonchiumpa Consultancy and Services, a 100% Aboriginal-owned business led by traditional owners. The name "Oonchiumpa" comes from the Central Australian corkwood tree – a living symbol of resilience, healing, and connection to country. This venture represents our determination to create culturally-appropriate solutions for our community, particularly focusing on young people struggling to navigate between traditional and contemporary worlds.
Working between these worlds myself – as both a traditional owner with cultural responsibilities and a professional with formal education – I bring these perspectives together to create pathways that honor cultural identity while building practical skills for today's challenges.
Oonchiumpa delivers culturally-led diversion programs for at-risk Aboriginal young people in Alice Springs, creating opportunities for identity-strengthening and positive engagement with community. Our Alternative Service Response activity connects young people with appropriate services, Elders, and communities most suited to build identity and bridge the gap between two worlds.
At Atnarpa Homestead, we conduct on-country programs where traditional owners lead cultural learning experiences, including welcome to country ceremonies, heritage site tours, bush tucker education, and traditional medicine making. These immersive experiences allow young people to strengthen their connection to culture and land while gaining practical skills.
We've developed partnerships with educational institutions including the Australian National University, delivering courses on Indigenous perspectives on justice, and the University of Canberra's Indigenous Leadership Strategy. Through these collaborations, we share cultural knowledge while creating educational and employment pathways for our community members.
I'm guided by the wisdom and resilience of my ancestors who protected our family and culture through immense challenges. Their determination to maintain connection to country and identity, even when facing policies designed to sever these ties, shows me the importance of cultural continuity.
The principles of cultural authority and respect for traditional knowledge form the foundation of my approach. I believe that Aboriginal-led solutions are essential for addressing the challenges facing our young people. When young people understand who they are and where they come from, they develop the strength and confidence to navigate complex environments.
I'm also guided by a vision of economic self-determination for Aboriginal communities. Our people have the right and capacity to build generational wealth on our own lands, creating sustainable pathways that honor cultural values while providing practical opportunities for current and future generations.
True collaboration begins with recognition of cultural authority and respect for Aboriginal-led solutions. Rather than imposing external frameworks, partners can walk alongside us by supporting initiatives that emerge from community wisdom and priorities.
Businesses, educational institutions, and government agencies can create meaningful partnerships by opening doors for young people to experience different environments and develop diverse skills, while respecting their cultural identity and connections.
Walking together means acknowledging the historical contexts that have shaped current challenges while focusing on strengths-based approaches that empower young people to envision and create their own futures. It means investing in Aboriginal-led organizations that have the cultural knowledge and community relationships needed for sustainable change.
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