Yamatji Way

The world moves fast out here in the desert. A few weeks ago, I was the Regional Agreements Manager, and now I'm the Community Planning Unit Manager with a yamatji team and a whole lotta work to do!

Yamatji means 'co-worker' (in the work context) in Ngaanyatjarra. The most effective way to work with people is as a yamatji team. The Warburton Council Chair, Ian 'Ribs' Ward, explained it to me in the following way (I've asked his permission to use these pictures, and I thank him for the trouble he took to explain it to me).

The line on the left are Yarnangu, and the lines on the right are walypala (whitefellas). This is the way they usually talk to and work with each other.

This is what happens when both parties are trying, but still not quite doing it properly.

And this is yamatji way - walking side by side, better communication, understanding each other better, more progress.

And above was my yamatji team and their family - the Smythe and West family. Robin and Debra Smythe, Nicole Smythe (their daughter), Nyingurta West (Debra's sister), and the gorgeous Lowanna and Talia.