24-1279 – Elizabeth Toby

Karntimarta, also known as Warralong community, is an Aboriginal community located 120 kms southeast of Port Hedland within Western Australia’s Pilbara region.  Nestled on the floodplains of several major river systems including Muylie (Coongan River), Shaw River and De Grey River, Karntimarta holds historical significance as a region abundant in essential resources during the pujiman (traditional, desert dwelling) era. These river systems provided reliable sources of drinking water, food, and shelter, and the area featured several well-known camping sites. Though the rivers typically stop flowing during the annual dry season, large water holes (such as Juntinya) remain. These waterholes continue to be popular for swimming, camping, and fishing for barramundi and red snapper.

Karntimarta also has a strong connection to the 1946 Pilbara Strike. The strike, led by Clancy McKenna, Dooley Binbin and Don Mcleod, was staged by Aboriginal pastoral workers demanding fair wages and working conditions. It marked the first major strike by Aboriginal people, and one of the longest strikes in Australian history. Prior to the strike, Aboriginal pastoral workers were ‘paid’ with meagre tobacco and flour rations and clothing allowances, and were forced by law to stay on their station. Following the strike many participants and their families resorted to yandying (panning) for alluvial minerals including tin, tantalite, gold and beryl to support themselves. The Aboriginal ‘Nomads’ group, funded by earnings from yandying, purchased the pastoral lease for both Strelley and Warralong Stations in 1959. A community followed in 1972, with a school being founded in 1976.

Several languages are spoken in Karntimarta, including Nyamal, Kariyarra, Yindjibarndi, Martu Wangka and Nyangumarta, with Nyangumarta being the most commonly spoken and taught at the school.