Roberts, Amy --- "Ngangkar work - Anangu way by Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Women's Council Aboriginal Corporation" [2004] AltLawJl 61; (2004) 29(4) Alternative Law Journal 204

• REVIEWS
• NGANGKARI WORK­ ANANGU WAY
• Traditional Healers of Central Australia

REVIEWS

NGANGKARI WORK­ ANANGU WAY
Traditional Healers of Central Australia

Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Women's Council Aboriginal Corporation (NPYWC) 2003; 96pp; $34.95 softcover (available from NPYWC, PO Box 2189, Alice Springs, Northern Territory, email: [e-mail] or online at <www.waru.org>).

Given the 'public health law' theme of this issue of the Alternative Law Journal, the timely release of the book Ngangkad Work- Anangu Way: Traditional Healers of Central Australia provides me with the opportunity to introduce to readers of this journal a different, but yet extremely important, aspect of health and healing for Aboriginal people in central Australia

The book presents the experiences and stories of 18 ngangkari (male or female traditional healer) from all over the Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands.

Elsie Wanatjura, the NPYWC's emotional and social wellbeing project officer, points out the importance of gaining funding for ngangkari from State and Federal governments. She states (14): 'Doctors and nurses might wonder why do Anangu (Western Desert language speaking Aboriginal person) keep asking for ngangkari help when they can access good health clinics these days and they can easily get a quick needle or tablet? It is because ngangkari get straight to the problem and give immediate healing. Tablets can't heal the spirit. Ngangkari can. Ngangkari can see right into the spirit and the mind. Ngangkari see right inside the kurunpa -the spirit-and get straight to the heart of the matter.'

At the time of publication the NPYWC employed two ngangkari. Although it is important to note that there are many ngangkari - both men and women. The NPYWC asks for a ngangkari to be involved in the first stages of treatment before any other treatments are considered.

The book is a fine publication and contains wonderful photographs of aspects of Anangu life and ngangkari work. The photographs are both historical and contemporary.

This book is a 'must read' for anyone working in the field of 'Aboriginal health,' particularly in central Australia.

AMY ROBERTS is an archaeologist/research officer at Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement-Native Title Unit.