Overview

Beginnings

Over the last century, many visitors to the Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara lands in Central Australia collected and permanently removed artefacts, photographs, film footage and sound recordings. While some of these materials were filed away in the archives of public institutions, others were ‘lost’ in family photo albums or packed away in old suitcases and boxes. Many of these materials are of great importance to Anangu (Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara people).

Tracks

Ara Irititja (‘stories from a long time ago’) officially commenced in 1994 to repatriate ‘lost’ material for Anangu. By 2007, Ara Irititja has tracked down hundreds of thousands of historical and cultural items and is working to make them available to Anangu through the database.

Building a Digital Archive

Harsh environmental conditions make it inappropriate for fragile materials to be physically returned to Anangu communities. Consequently, all items have been digitally returned using a purpose-built computer archive.

Cultural Issues

Anangu have managed complex cultural information systems for thousands of years, restricting access to some knowledge on the basis of seniority and gender. Ara Irititja has integrated these cultural priorities into the design of its digital archive.

Remote and Rugged

Ara Irititja digital archives are in Anangu communities in South Australia, Northern Territory and Western Australia. Anangu navigate the digital archive, write in information, stories and reflections, and use passwords to restrict access to specific items.

Sharing information

In the past, Anangu were photographed and their knowledge recorded and published without any negotiation. Today, Anangu are careful to determine how their history and culture are presented to the world-wide audience. The multimedia interactive program created by Ara Irititja called Ara Winki: Life on the Pitjantjatjara Lands is an example of how Anangu prefer to share information.