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Welcome to the Ngaanyatjarra Council

The Ngaanyatjarra Council (Aboriginal Corporation) represents the interests of around 1,800 Ngaanyatjarra, Pintupi and Pitjantjatjara Traditional Owners (Yarnangu) who reside in the eleven member communities of the Ngaanyatjarra Lands

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Our Services

From essential Health Services, to Housing, Maintenance and Project Management, we collaboratively work across a range of service devisions to achieve remarkable outcomes for our communities.

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Employment Opportunities

We are passionate about making tangible impact within remote communities and are always on the lookout for likeminded and enthusiastic people to join the team and support our vision.

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Passing by?

The Ngaanyatjarra Lands is an area governed and controlled by the Ngaanyatjarra People. Visitors require a valid permit to drive the Outback Highway which is home of "Australia's longest shortcut."

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What's happening in our Communities

8,000+ kilometres in the outback in a $1,500 car? No worries for Jocelyn and Foys!

By Natasha Perkins • 01 May, 2024
750 kilometres a day for nearly two weeks in a car on its last legs sounds like a recipe for disaster, but Shitbox Rally first timers, Jocelyn Bennett and Foysal Ahmed, got the job done while raising over $8,000 for cancer research.

Community Plans create opportunities for engagement, employment and opportunity on Ngaanyatjarra lands.

By Natasha Perkins • 01 May, 2024
Strong homes and strong stories are at the heart of the aspirations of the members of communities on Ngaanyatjarra lands. The last six months have seen a steady stream of engagements and action within these communities as they have co-designed and collaborated on Community Plans to help their communities flourish. These plans have been developed by the communities, for the communities, and for delivery by the community alongside key stakeholders. Importantly, these Community Plans have now been accepted, giving a green light to opportunities, strategies, and activities that can better resource remote communities and provide greater access to services, which we understand need to be improved in many ways. The recent activation programs over the school holidays represented another key outcome of our Community Plans—creating spaces and places for our young people to engage and flourish on country. These programs involved many of our communities, with major hubs at Warburton, Warakurna, and Warnarn. Our Plans reflect our aspirations for Ngurra Rapa, Tjukurrpa Rapa (Strong homes, Strong stories) to fulfil our collective vision of purpose and agency —communities where members are encouraged and supported to thrive. “Our Community Plans provide community-informed guidance to the ongoing activities and investment into the community for members, businesses and government,” said Ngaanyatjarra Council CEP Thomas Williams. There are plenty of opportunities for members of Ngaanyatjarra communities to be engaged in these plans, and we believe there will be significant employment opportunities in some of our communities. “Our vision is to support the Ngaanyatjarra people to live healthy, fulfilled lives on the lands - places of flourishing where the aspirations of Yarnangu are realised as we work together towards strong families, strong stories, and strong futures on the lands,” Thomas said. The intersecting impacts of remoteness, ineffective social support, insufficient social services, and the high cost of living have made our people some of the most disadvantaged in the nation. “One of the major sources of disadvantage has been the changing face of CDP and ‘work for the dole’ policies, which have been punitive and negatively impacted communities,” Thomas said. “Seeing these community plans not only accepted but moving to implementation is a significant milestone in identifying the potential, opportunities and the resourcing of each of our Ngaanyatjarra communities,” Thomas said. “It’s an exciting phase that we now enter as we’re seeing these community aspirations begin to shape and transform communities as stakeholders and government join us in building vibrant spaces on the lands and addressing head-on the genuine challenges and disadvantages that face our people in these remote communities,” Thomas said. The Community Plans will continue to fuel opportunities as each element is activated and the future of living on the lands becomes brighter for many.

Addis joins Ngaanyatjarra leadership team reflecting desire to help yarnangu stay strong on country.

By Natasha Perkins • 01 May, 2024
As Ngaanyatjarra Council continues to lay strong operational foundations for yarnangu (aboriginals of the Western Desert) to remain strong on country, it has made the vital appointment of Ralph Addis as Executive Director of Operations. Ralph joins the Council with a legacy of experience in the government sector and with traditional owners across Western Australia. Ralph spent twenty years in the East Kimberley, including as founding CEO of Wunan Foundation, an aboriginal development organisation in the East Kimberly region of Western Australia. The diverse dimensions of the Foundation included education reform, housing reform, employment, and economic development. He was driven by a desire to give aboriginal people in the region increasing economic independence and sustainability through a community-led approach. After 12 years with the Foundation, Addis spent two years as the community CEO of Warmun | Turkey Creek, working with the government and NGOs to rebuild the community after it was devastated by floods in 2011. Over the last two decades, Addis was Chair of the Kimberley Development Commission, Director General of Primary Industries and Regional Development WA, and CEO of Lotterywest and Healthway. Ralph’s breadth of oversight and governance experience, combined with a desire to realise Yarnangu's aspirations to stay strong on the lands makes him a strategic fit for the Council’s leadership team. ‘The calibre of the people I worked with in the Kimberleys was outstanding, including my wife, who I met while in Kununurra—in many ways, it’s still home to me,’ Addis said. After a string of rewarding roles in government, Addis’s commitment to indigenous development remained strong. Ultimately, it would draw him back into contexts where he could effect change. ‘I believe the broader commitment and priority of the state to indigenous development remains underdone,’ ‘The lack of priority given by policy-makers was a trigger for understanding that I could be of more value as a catalyst for change from outside of the political system rather than within it,’ ‘The opportunity to work with Ngaanyatjarra Council emerged after some consulting work with the Council,’ Addis said. ‘I can see the trajectory of change and the imperative for change in the Council, and it excites me to be part of helping Yarnangu stay strong on country,’ he added. Appointments like Ralph Addis are significant to assembling a management team that can implement genuine, long-term change for those who desire to lead flourishing lives on Ngaanyatjarra lands.
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Our Vision

Yarnangu leading lives filled with purpose and agency, thriving in a culture-rich environment: Ngurra Rapa, Tjukurrpa Rapa.

Our Values

We are open and approachable


We value transparent communication that ensures inclusivity and collective engagement. We prioritise genuine connection and presence on country, valuing the contributions of all community members. Embracing cultural sensitivity, we strive to break down barriers through language and build meaningful relationships by active listening and empathy. 

We are all equal and important

We’re committed to protecting and nurturing the inherent value and dignity of every individual. We prioritise safety, respect, equality, and empowerment in all aspects of our work. This means fostering a culture of holistic care and cultural sensitivity, ensuring everyone feels safe, heard, and respected. 

We are better together

Our commitment to unity affirms our belief that collaboration yields better outcomes. By breaking down barriers and fostering collaboration across dapartments and communities, we amplify our collective strength while respecting our uniqueness. We ensure that all voices are heard, promoting inclusive decision-making processes in all we do. Through proactive communication and the sharing of resources, we enhance our ability to serve our communities. 

We are accountable to members

We serve the collective interests of our members, prioritising transparency, and accountability in all our endeavours. We advocate for best practice governance and encourage community-controlled decision-making processes, ensuring essential services are delivered promptly to all. Inclusive decision-making and meaningful communication ensures that our efforts benefit the wider community, holding us accountable to our collective goals and promises. 

We are responsible financial stewards

As financial stewards, we have a responsibility to prioritise the improvement of financial understanding within our communities and organisation to improve decision making and to combat waste and duplication. We aim to transparent reporting to empower community members. Continual reflection and accountability mechanisms help us ensure the best use of resources and financial integrity, to serve the collective interests of our communities. 

We are open and approachable


We value transparent communication that ensures inclusivity and collective engagement. We prioritise genuine connection and presence on country, valuing the contributions of all community members. Embracing cultural sensitivity, we strive to break down barriers through language and build meaningful relationships by active listening and empathy. 

We are all equal and important

We’re committed to protecting and nurturing the inherent value and dignity of every individual. We prioritise safety, respect, equality, and empowerment in all aspects of our work. This means fostering a culture of holistic care and cultural sensitivity, ensuring everyone feels safe, heard, and respected. 

Our Communities

The Ngaanyatjarra Lands are located in Western Australia near the borders of South Australia and the Northern Territory. This area covers 160,000 square kilometres—approximately 3% of the Australian landscape. The eleven Ngaanyatjarra communities comprise Irrunytju | Wingellina, Kiwirrkurra, Mantamaru | Jameson, Papulankutja | Blackstone, Patjarr | Karilywara, Kanpa | Pira-Kata, Tjirrkarli, Tjukurla, Warakurna | Giles, Warnarn and Warburton | Mirlirrtjarra.

Did You Know?

  • Governance

    The Ngaanyatjarra Council is the principal governance organisation in the Ngaanyatjarra Lands. The Ngaanyatjarra Council’s administrative base is located in Alice Springs. The third week of each month, the Ngaanyatjarra Council hosts both a general meeting for all members and a Board of Directors meeting.

  • Communities

    Each Ngaanyatjarra community is an autonomous, separately incorporated body as well as a member of the Ngaanyatjarra Council (Aboriginal Corporation). In the 20 years since the Council’s formation, membership has expanded from five original communities - Milyatjarra (Warburton), Irrunytju (Wingellina), Papulankutja (Blackstone), Mantamaru (Jameson) and Warakurna - to 12 communities (the original communities plus Tjirrkarli, Patjarr, Wanarn, Kanpa and Tjukurla, Cosmo Newberry and Kiwirrkurra. 

  • Pre-Council

    Prior to the incorporation of the Ngaanyatjarra Council on 24 March 1981, representation of Ngaanyatjarra people was through the Pitjantjatjara Council. The formation of the Ngaanyatjarra area was based on the historical association with the Warburton Mission, a common language, and the Western Australian state border.

  • Human Presence

    The Ngaanyatjarra Lands have few obvious signs of human presence. According to archaeological evidence from excavations in the Warburton area, continuous Aboriginal occupation dates back at least 10,000 years. 

  • Industry

    There has never been a pastoral industry and, apart from a few activities such as sandalwood harvesting, collection of dingo scalps and prospecting, there has been no other industry in the area. 

  • Access

    The Outback Highway (Great Central Road) bisects the Ngaanyatjarra Lands east to southwest, providing access to two major regional centres - Alice Springs (1,000 kilometres Northeast of Warburton) and Kalgoorlie (900 kilometres Southwest of Warburton). The 2,000 kilometre section of road from Laverton to Uluru National Park is unsealed and subject to wet weather closure.

  • Voting Rights

    All residents of Ngaanyatjarra communities who are of voting age and identify themselves as being of Aboriginal descent, have voting rights on the council. 

  • Remoteness

    The Ngaanyatjarra Communities are some of the most remote communities in all of Australia. According to the Accessibility and Remoteness Index of Australia (ARIA), which measures the distance of a settlement from an urban centre, each community is "very remote" and a significant distance from any urban centre.

  • Size

    Ngaanyatjarra Lands cover approximately 3% of mainland Australia(250,000 km2) and encompass sections of the Gibson Desert, Great Sandy Desert, Great Victoria Desert, and all of the Central Ranges within Western Australia.

  • Representation

    Ngaanyatjarra Council Board of Directors has 17 members. Each Chair from the 12 member communities governing councils, 4 female representatives plus a chairperson elected by the general membership (on an annual basis) are on the Board of Directors. 

  • Climate

    The climate in the Ngaanyatjarra Lands is arid to semi-arid with average annual rainfall of 200-250 millimetres with a distinct summer pattern. During the summer, the mean daily maximum temperatures are around 37 C - days of 40+ C are common. Winters are cool with a mean daily temperature range of 6- 21 C; sub-zero temperatures are not often experienced. Periods of prolonged drought are not uncommon.

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