Pungalungu Goes to Town — James Ward

Bertie was a big “hairy man” from the Angali Mountains to the south of Papunya. His mob had been called Yipandipandi since the Dreaming. But now the local blackfellas, that “Honey Ant mob,” called him Pungalungu. His “hairy” mob was sort of distant relations of the Papunya Pintupi and Luritja blackfellas. Now Bertie Jangala Pungalungu was tired. He had just walked all the way from his home, down from the Mountains to the Papunya community. Already he was missing his wife, Lipirinya. He had a lot of Walcha, (relatives), in Papunya, but decided not to visit them. His relatives would just “humbug” him too much, and demand all his “sitdown” money. He needed it for his trip. Pungalungu was going to Canberra. He was going to see the Prime Minister of Australia. Do you know why he was going to see the Prime Minister of Australia? Australian author and teacher, James Ward is uniquely placed to write about indigenous issues, having lived and worked in many remote Aboriginal communities. This deftly crated story of Pungalungu is much more than a tale of a man in search of a better way, it is a wonderful learning device with carefully selected questions and fun exercises. It will prove an invaluable tool for teachers working with indigenous children.