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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

More About Us

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."

Request a Permit

What's happening in our Communities

Icon of the lands, Rod Moiler, celebrated with a bench to sit and remember.

17 Apr, 2024
Rod Moiler, known across the lands as ‘Desert Dog’ has been celebrated with bench at Tjukayirla Roadhouse after traversing the lands for 32 years and amassing 2.3 million kilometres!

Ngaanyatjarra Symposium casts a vision for stronger child health outcomes on the lands.

12 Apr, 2024
Ngaanyatjarra Aboriginal Child Health Symposium presents landmark study and casts vision for improved child health outcomes on the lands.

A Cup of Tea, a Chat and a Hard Day's work

By Natasha Perkins • 03 Apr, 2024
There’s one thing for sure, if you rock up to the Warakurna Community Development Shed at eight in the morning, you’ll be greeted with a hot cup of tea.

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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