About Lily Jatarr Long

Lily was born at Karlamilyi (Rudall River) and her Warnman name, Jartarr, is a seed which can be used to make a tasty seed-damper. Lily's father was a Warnman man who travelled a long way east into Pitjantjatjara country, stole Lily's mother and took her back to Karlamilyi. Lily grew up around Tiwa with her family. In 1947 her father in law went into Jigalong and returned with stories about rations. In response, Lily and her immediate family travelled through Karlamilyi, Talawana and Balfour Downs until they reached Jigalong mission. At Jigalong, Lily lived in a bough shed and went to school. She later worked as a cook on a number of stations and also mined with a yandy (wooden dish) for tin and other minerals. Lily now lives in Nullagine with her sister, children and grandchildren. Lily paints as a way of teaching children, so that they know their history. She paints to speak up for her country and protecting the important places from mining and other disruptions.