An arts and crafts book created by Aboriginal women living in Jawoyn country, east of Katherine, has been launched as part of NAIDOC Week celebrations in the Northern Territory. 

Miabala Wei - Art and craft our way is a step-by-step guide to modern and traditional Indigenous craft practices.

The book was developed by local artisans attending Gulin Gulin Women's Centre, with input from an arts specialist with strong connections to the people of Katherine, and support from The Fred Hollows Foundation.

"This book will ensure that women's centres can continue to produce their own arts and crafts, and generate their own income, long after a consultant or arts development worker has left the community," says The Foundation's Alison Rogers.

"Women's centres are really important hubs in Aboriginal communities because they are the heart-beat of the community.

"They provide a social focus for people, many essential services and a venue for arts and crafts activities."

Miabala Wei was launched at Springvale Homestead in Katherine and in Bulman, home to Gulin Gulin Women's Centre.

The launch is an important milestone in a five-year project giving women in remote areas the opportunity to collaborate and share cultural practices with people from other regions.

Other aspects of the women's development project have included training, management advice and essential services to help communities generate income and achieve their aspirations.

The launch of Miabala Wei follows the publication and national release of a healthy food cookbook in 2009 - Really Cooking Good Food. The book has changed the way many remote Indigenous people shop, prepare and cook their food.

"Wan wi meigimap mani brom mibala peinting en meigimbat ebrijing, wal mibala gin yusim det mani blanga bayam ebrijing blanga kipgon dumbat peinting en meigimbat ebrijing."

"When we make money from our arts and crafts we use it to buy more things so we can keep doing our arts and crafts." Gulin Gulin woman and contributor to the book

Miabala Wei - Art and craft our way can be purchased online from Batchelorpress.

Learn more about our Indigenous program.