PUNKALIYARRA: Ancient Matriarchies, New Leadership

Punkaliyarra is a project celebrating matriarchal power and leadership developed in Ieramugadu (Roebourne) WA. For this very special cultural exchange presentation at Giiyong Festival, senior and young women from Roebourne will guide the audience in the Monaroo Bobberrer Gudu Keeping Place (Aunty Elaine Thomas Stage) through a creative presentation of women’s culture, expressed through performance, music, narration and dance.

This exploration of culture, relationality and leadership sparks discussion that helps us to see leadership in a new light, and rethink the societal models of power that no longer serve us.  

The session will be introduced by Walbunja woman, Aunty Sharon Mason, who has been involved in cultural exchange with the project since early 2024. The presentation will be followed by a facilitated Q&A with the audience. 

Punkaliyarra is produced by Big hART, and has been in development since 2020. Locally in Roebourne, Punkaliyarra focuses on connection to country, skills transfer and story content creation, to support wellbeing, safety and visibility for senior and young First Nations women. Big hART is a national arts and social change company who have also been working in Eden, Wallaga Lake & Nowra since 2021 on the Bulla Midhong project.