Milpirri: Winds of Change (ATOM Study Guide)

If something is alive it has a communication system. Country is alive. Trees, birds, day and night, how the Milpirri clouds are formed, is country communicating with us. We all just need to be reminded to listen to country again. – Wanta Jampijinpa Patrick

Milpirri: Winds of Change is a one-hour documentary about a unique cross-cultural event created and performed by the Warlpiri people of Lajamanu, a community on the edge of the Tanami Desert in the Northern Territory, in conjunction with Tracks Dance. Milpirri are literally the huge clouds that form over the Tanami Desert just before the rainy season, bringing rain from the collision of the hot air from the land and the cold air from above – the meeting of opposites. The biennial music, dance and cultural event of Milpirri reminds us all that to find our way 'back home', we need to listen to ngurra, 'home' – the country we share. Milpirri seeks to retell traditional Warlpiri stories in the context of a modern celebration and modern community living.

The film is not just a record of the community activities leading up to Milpirri; it is also an exploration of life today for the people of Lajamanu. As we watch the community preparations leading to the performance of Milpirri, expressed through music and dance, we also see something of the challenges and struggles facing many Indigenous Australians today to retain, strengthen and celebrate their culture and way of life, much of which has been disrupted and damaged since the arrival of white people.

How can young people retain the strengths of their culture and respect for traditions in a time and place where there are so many outside distractions? What will happen when the Elders who pass on knowledge and culture are no longer around? Can technology and working with Kardiya (non-Indigenous people) help keep the Yapa (Indigenous) culture alive and strong? While Milpirri is very much a Yapa initiative, it also actively involves the collaboration of non-Yapa in staging Milpirri.

Curriculum Links

Milpirri: Winds of Change would be an excellent film to show to students from upper primary to tertiary studying Humanities, Australian Studies, Culture and Society, Indigenous Studies and The Arts.