Tjurma Homelands

Alpara | Cave Hill | Harry Creek | Number 12 | Walatatjara

Tjurma Homelands Inc Administration is situated in Amata on the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Lands in the northern region of South Australia. It is responsible for the coordination of the homelands surrounding Amata Community. Its role in regards to these homelands is both administrative (it is responsible for co-ordinating the application, financial reporting and CDEP processes and requirements) and political (as the representative voice of its homeland membership). There are approximately 118 men, women and children living in these homelands.

Tjurma Homelands community have a long established artistic reputation on the Pitjantjatjara Lands and they have well known artists in punu art carving, traditional paintings. For approximately twenty years, they have been perfecting the art of batik on silk fabrics, cottons, and cotton clothing.

Historical Overview

Tjurma was established on 16 December 1985. It is incorporated under the Commonwealth Aboriginal Councils and Associations Act. The original homelands were in the area around Amata and west to Pipalyatjara and all of these homelands were administered together under on umbrella. It was named Tjunguta Uwankaraku, meaning "all together." This arrangement was disbanded in 1985 when Tjurma was formally established.

Tjurma is responsible for those homelands on the east side between Amata and Pipalyatjara and Murpatja Homelands is responsible for the co-ordination of those homelands further to the west.