Desert Dust Up 2019

Dust Up is all about sharing education and knowledge across the Ngaanyatjarra Lands WA. Warburton, Warakurna, Jameson, Wanarn, Blackstone, Wingellina, Tjukurla & Kiwirrkurra Schools came together for 3 days of festivities including; learning, sport, music, dance, visual arts, health, language, culture and strength.

IEH has worked with Indigenous Hip Hop Projects since 2012 and was proud to partner again for Dust Up 2019. IHHP crew have been teaching hip hop, breakdance and other routines with multi-media entertaining the Ngaanyatjarra Lands for over 10 years. They work with local leaders, teachers and youth workers to increase health, wellbeing and pride in culture and country.

This year trachoma education was held with students from all 8 schools during dance workshops where everyone learned about the new Milpa’s Six Steps to Stop Germs. (link to Teacher Pack) The excited kids were sometimes shy but had lots of fun. Teaching staff were given Milpa’s Stop Germ Packs filled with classroom ideas. The Ngaanyatjarra Health nurses and IEH staff set up a face & hand washing station and everyone supported the kids to keep their faces clean throughout Dust Up.

Dust Up was massive with football, softball and basketball, cultural games, an art exhibition, clowning workshops, fairground rides and fireworks. Each evening showcased rich culture, music and dance with ‘Ngaanyatjarra Lands Got Talent’ and each Community’s school showed their own Dust Up 2019 video. IHHP crew put on totally epic performances and amazingly the fantastic Sandtracks program was also in town - with Mambali a nice-piece band from Numbulwar NT and the Barkly Drifters from Tennant Creek.

To bring Milpa’s Six Steps to Stop Germs to life……..cultural and school community liaison for the region Miss Daisy Tjuparntarri Ward, and local kids made a great little video to share with everyone…Daisy is also a respected elder, director NPY Women’s Council, translator, artist, storyteller, advocate….and you may have seen Daisy recently as her portrait won the Archibald People’s Choice Award 2019.  Thanks Miss Daisy and kids!!!

View some of the photos from Desert Dust Up 2019 gallery below: