Kurpaliny Bessie Doonday

born about 1940s, Walmajarri language group, Napangarti skin group, Mulan community, Paruku Indigenous Protected Area

Bessie was born near Billiluna and worked at the old station before travelling to Fitzroy Crossing and Christmas Creek, where her brother Yanpiyarti Ned Cox was living.

After returning to Balgo, Bessie’s father, Tiger, and brother, Rex Johns, began advocating for their people to return to Paruku and establish Mulan community.

My brother [Rex Johns] said, ‘We gotta keep the stories alive, the land alive’.