Makinti Minutjukur – Ngapartji Ngapartji Choir

‘Ngayulu pulkara pukularingu ngura nyanga Sydneyla nyinara. Nganana show wiru tjuta nyangangi – nganampa show wiru mulapa munu kutjupa tjuta wiru mulapa. Munu nganana pukulpa nyinanyi munu nganana ikaringkupai tjukurpa wiru tjuta wangkara. Nganana pukulpa nyinanyi!’
I have been very happy while staying in Sydney. We’ve seen so many great shows – our wonderful show and other great shows. We are constantly making each other laugh, telling funny stories. We are very happy!
Janet Inyika – Ngapartji Ngapartji Choir

‘Ngayulu nyakula pukularinyi Ngapartji Ngapartji panya show wiru mulapa. Panya ngayuku kangkuru ngarangi Ngapartji Ngapartjila. Munu nganana show wiru tjuta nyangangi.’
I have been greatly rewarded by being involved in this amazing show, Ngapartji Ngapartji. Especially because my older sister used to be a part of it. Also, we have seen many other good shows.
Renita Stanley – Ngapartji Ngapartji Choir

‘Ngayulu kuliningi Ngapartji Ngapartji yaaltji-yaaltji? Munu ngayulu pitjangu nyakunytjikitja munu kulintjikitja mununa tjanala tjunguringkula showngka ngarala kuliningi “Ai! Mulapa, nyangatja wiru mulapa!” Tjukurpa wirutjara munu tjituru-tjiturutjara panya iriti nganampa walytja tjuta wiyaringkunytja. Mununa pukularingi wiru mulapa nyangatja mununa kulini panya ngayuku kangkuru Kunmanaranya show nyangangka ngarapai munu paluru ayini-ayini tjuta palyara ikaritjingalpai – munu paluru malpa tjuta palyani. Kana palunya kulira tjiturutjitururinyi munu pukularinyi wiru tjuta kulira, palunyatjara. Uwa palya ngayulu ini Pantjiti Lewis.’
I was thinking, what is this Ngapartji Ngapartji really about? So I came to see and to understand and while working together to make this show I’ve been thinking “I see! This really is worthwhile!” (This show contains) good stories, sad stories and talks about what happened to our families all those years ago, how they died. And so I’ve been really impressed and happy to be working in this show – particularly because my older sister Kunmanara was in it and used to clown around making people laugh, and making friends everywhere. When I think about her I become sad but I also feel happy thinking about the good things she did. Alright! My name is Pantjiti Lewis.
Pantjiti Lewis – Ngapartji Ngapartji Choir

‘On Thursday we went for a ride in a jet boat and Belinda was very wet and Sadie and Julie and we were screaming. And we came after riding in Jet Boat and Dani and Elton were waiting for us. We went to McDonalds for a dinner.’
Done by Julie Miller (Performer)

‘Me and Julie went to Government House for dinner. People were taking lots of photos of us. There were a lot of pictures on the walls. It has been a great time at Sydney. The shows have been full every night. Some people come back again. Sadie is going back on Sunday. Then the ladies, Elton and Julie go back to Alice Springs on Monday, the 28th of January. After Julie goes I will learn Julie’s part with Maureen and Joanne. After the show finishes on the 11th of  February we all go back to Alice Springs. I feel good about going home but sad about the show finishing.  
Done by Belinda Abbott

The inspiring work by Alex and others to get the message out about the project and the show has really come to fruition in Sydney, the season having completely sold out within the first week. A new wave of people have signed up to learn Pitjantjatjara on the ninti site including Jenny Macklin, the new Indigenous Affairs Minister, whose office contacted Alex to find out the best way to learn to say hello in an Indigenous language.

Arts and Environment Minister Peter Garrett meets the cast on opening night, Belvoir St Theatre

A special thanks to Dani, who is working very hard in her two roles as assistant director and co-ordinator of youth and ladies support, and to Mariaa working tirelessly as company manager – behind the scenes people are what makes this all possible!

Palya! Beth