Not too long ago, I had the pleasure of sharing mine and the Mumpara journey at the Australian Wind Construction Safety Conference 2022. Here is a snap-shot of the discussion piece on where this Muruntani (White) boy came from.
As an introduction.
I am a proud Tiwi Man of non-Indigenous descent, and I am the Chief Executive Officer of the Mumpara Group, a nationwide family of companies.
All with one share the single purpose to Empower People to Achieve.
Our fully integrated business model empowers people to achieve and creates change where it is needed the most. This accomplishment stems from establishing key partnerships developed over a lifetime in the sector.
From our ability to provide work-readiness and early workforce development strategies, we are truly empowering people to achieve. This extends to our specialised managed workforce provider and dedicated construction services.
I grew up on the small Aboriginal community of Wurrumiyanga on Bathurst Island, north of Darwin in the late 70’s and early 80’s in the Northern Territory.
Being fluent in the Tiwi dialect up until the age of about 10, I have been given a rare and unique gift. This in-depth understanding and life-long connection to the Indigenous culture and specifically the Tiwi People.
A gift of learning and insight into both, the kinship and cultural protocols of one of the longest living cultures in the world!
Growing up in Wurrumiyanga, I consider myself extremely privileged to have been enriched by this culture. Furthermore, I have been embraced by members of this traditional owner group.
Through the understanding of their culture and lifelong connection with the people and the land, I possess a strong commitment to the empowerment of the Indigenous people of Australia. This incorporates socio-economic advancement.
I think there is still a picture floating around somewhere of me, aged around 4-5 years old dressed up on Tiwi Grand final day, as the Tapalinga mascot? The local Tiwi Island AFL team my father played with and which we still sponsor to this day.
We’re On a Mission
Engaged across the socio-economic advancement and holistic service sectors, the Mumpara Group have a mission. The mission is to empower 5,000 Indigenous people Australia-wide to holistically break the cycle of generational welfare dependency by 2030.
The actual Mumpara Group logo has been inspired and derived from the Tarntipi homelands on the Tiwi islands.
Centre to our logo is the Yirrikipayi totem, sand and sunsets on Tarntipi beach. Yirrikipayi is a Tiwi word meaning salt-water crocodile.
The Yirrikipayi holds great cultural significance for the Tiwi people. It is one of many dreamings or totems, inherited through the father. With a dreaming or totem comes responsibilities, passed down from birth.
As a young muruntani (White) boy growing up, rich in Tiwi culture; Tarntipi homelands was where I did my ceremony, and this is where connection to country is for me.
They say knowledge is power. Well, in this case I believe so! The power to create change, from a culturally sensitive perspective that drives acceptance, is, in my opinion, half the battle. It plays a crucial role in driving Indigenous engagement and employment outcomes.
Only through education can you keep learning and adapting!
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