Maringka Burton

Mothers Country: Blackstone (Papulankutja, WA) Father's Country: Pipyalyatjara Maringka says:"I grew

up in Ernabella. Came here to Granite Downs when I was older. I spent all my young years in Ernabella. As a

teenager I went to Amata where I married a Fregon man. I have no children, but I am the carer for my sister's

grandchildren. I learnt to sing in Amata and do Inma (dancing) there when I was a growing teenager.Today I

am a big singer. I sing for the Ernabella choir. In 2000 I went to Sydney for the Opening Ceremony of the

Olympic Games. I sang and danced there. I am proud of that. It was wiru (good). I sing all the time. In 2003, I

travelled for choir to "Womadelaide" and sing to big audiences there.My husband and I went to Emmanuel

College in Adelaide for school. He was training to be stockman on a cattle farm. I learnt there too, how to read.

I have worked in Granite Downs at Aged Care as a support person. Now, I am a senior lady at Iwantja. I began

work at Iwantja in the early 80's, so I was first woman artist here, been here a lot a years. I help look after the art

centre and go to big meetings for them. I make baskets, weavings, linocuts and paintings and punu (wooden

animals) and piti (wooden artefacts). Jukurrpa (dreaming) and tjukula (rock holes) are my special designs as well as

bush tucker animals. I want to keep painting and singing always".