This treasure of a book by the Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Women's Council Aboriginal Corporation holds a special place in my book collection. If you buy this book, you'll see why. It captures your heart with both words and pictures, and thrusts you into a fascinating world. Here is what the back cover says:
'The ngangkari are the traditional healers of the Ngaanyatjarra, Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara Lands, encompassing 350,000 square kilometres of the remote western desert. For thousands of years the ngangkari have nurtured the physical, emotional and social well-being of their people.
To increase understanding and encourage collaboration with mainstream health services and the wider community, the ngangkari have forged a rare partnership with health professionals and practitioners of Western medicine.
Experience the world of the ngangkari as they share their wisdom, natural healing techniques and cultural history through life stories, spectacular photography and artwork.
AWARDS: In 2009, the effectiveness of the work of the NPY Women's Council ngangkari in Indigenous mental health was acknowledged with a prestigious award from the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists and with the Dr Margaret Tobin Award for Excellence in Mental Health Service Delivery.
In 2011 the ngangkari were conjoint representatives of the World Council for Psychotherapy Sigmund Freud Award for Contributions to Psychotherapy, bestowed by the city of Vienna.
These accolades have been a wonderful acknowledgement of the tireless efforts of the NPY Women's Council Ngangkari Project workers who serve, arguably, those with the greatest health needs in the country.'
>>Ngangkari Traditional Healing
>> Describing Healing