‘You’re my kwertengerl’: transforming models of care for central Australian aboriginal museum collections

Abstract

This article provides ethnographic insights into the ways in which museums are being engaged with and positioned by some Aboriginal people in Central Australia. At the centre of this analysis is the stated suggestion of some Anmatyerr and Arrernte men that museums be incorporated into their social-cultural frameworks and thus brought into their systems of relating. Drawing upon endeavours to return and repatriate key central Australian collections, I reveal the complex relationship between these communities, collecting institutions and their staff. This research also highlights the agency of Anmatyerr and Arrernte people in their dealings with the ethnographer and collector, T.G.H. Strehlow, and shows how they now wish to encompass museums and other collecting institutions in a relationship founded upon complementary roles and responsibilities. Their interest in positioning the museum as a kwertengerl, meaning a 'manager' or 'worker' that upholds the interests of traditional owners, presents both a challenge and an opportunity for the relevant institutions.

Apmerrke Areye‐kenhe Utnenge Rlterrke‐irrirtne‐tyenhenge

“…Alhentere-le-arle atnyeneme tywerrenge tyerrtye-kenhe anthirtnemenge, tyerrtye apmere-altye areye anteme mwerre awelhemele akangkentye aneme (Gibson, 2018;Nakata, Byrne, Nakata & Gardiner, 2005;Turpin, 2017) Tyerrtye arelhe arrwekelenye areye angkentye itne-kenhe iteleanthurre-areke angkerlte-arlke-anemele angkentye rlterrke anthurre.…”

“…Researchers urrpetye‐le record‐eme‐ileke tyerrtye apmere‐altye‐kenhe‐akerte tywerrenge‐akerte. Alhentere‐le‐arle atnyeneme tywerrenge tyerrtye‐kenhe anthirtneme‐nge, tyerrtye apmere‐altye areye anteme mwerre awelhemele akangkentye aneme (Gibson, 2018; Nakata, Byrne, Nakata & Gardiner, 2005; Turpin, 2017). Research nhenhe‐ulkere mpware‐tyeke researchers kwenhe alhentere‐kenhe angkentye‐ke akaltye anetyeke, urrperle‐kenhe angkentye‐ke‐arlke akaltye anetyeke.…”

New thinking about old ways: Cultural continuity for improved mental health of young Central Australian Aboriginal men

“…Relevant to the Arrernte speaking area (and translatable into other desert languages), this incorporates knowledge associated with anpernirrentye (kinship), angkentye (language), Altyerre (religion) and arne ingkirreke‐ke akaltye‐irretyeke (economics; literally translated to ‘learning everything/all things’). Where archival data have been reintroduced, significant improvements in individual and community wellbeing have been reported (Gibson, 2018; Nakata et al, 2005; Turpin, 2017). In achieving this, archives require access by culturally qualified Aboriginal researchers, activated utilizing modern technology and databases and updated (i.e., language orthographics) to ensure community accessibility (Perrurle & Judd, 2018).…”