Pauline Ryan Kilngarri Nanaku

Pauline Ryan Kilngarri Nanaku was born on Old Wave Hill Station (Jinparrak). As a young woman, she worked at Wave Hill and Cattle Creek Stations as a domestic servant in the dining room and men’s quarters, washing and ironing.

In 1966, Vincent Lingiari initiated a workers’ strike to protest the poor conditions of the employment of Aboriginal people, and ultimately recover control of their traditional land. The Gurindji campaign, known as the Wave Hill Walk-off, went on for nine years and resulted in the first successful land claim by an Aboriginal group, which in turn generated further energy for the broader land rights movement. Following the lead of the Lingiari, Pauline and her husband walked off Wave Hill Station to Kalkarindji / Daguragu. They have lived in Kalkarindji since that time.

Pauline started painting and sewing at Daguragu at Art and Craft Centre. She learned her Dreaming stories from the old people during ceremony. Pauline is a founding director of the Karungkarni Art and Culture Aboriginal Corporation which operates the Art Centre in Kalkarindji. Before retiring, Pauline was employed as cook at the Kalkaringi School, and at the Kalkarindji Clinic. Doing women’s business and culture is a strong part of Pauline’s life.