‘Apmere Mwarre’ Good Home

Location: Snake Well, (north of Alice Springs) Yamba Outstation

Participating communities: Alkngnirrweltye, Northern Arrernte clan group

Apmere mwarre is a conceptual project being initiated by Alkngnirrweltye (Snakewell), located 70km north to north east of Mparntwe (Alice Springs, NT). Apmere – meaning country/homeland, home and mwarre – meaning well or good in the Arrernte language.

Amidst the issues of overcrowded houses, environmental pollution, climate change, unsanitary and harmful conditions, physical and mental health and education and economic dependency. The traditional shelter (Wurley) holds some answers for this community.

The move from a culture based around a cyclic series of temporal housing (Wurleys) within the country into that of a fixed permanent house and yard appears to have its difficulties to say the least. History tells many stories of tribes all across the earth whom have taken the journey from nomadic lifestyles to fixed ones, resulting in the fusion of western society today.

Apmere mwarre seeks to address the issues facing our people, from the home, outward to the community and into society. A good home is a happy home and a happy home is a healthy one. We wish to integrate our cultures, law and practices into a culturally appropriate architectural design of house and community. To share our ancient knowledge of the land and learn the skills required to develop it in this modern society in a way that is both.

“To achieve a truly collaborative art project between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australia, the artists must align with Indigenous communities. There is incredible potential for inventive, thoughtful and challenging work, but it must proceed with knowledge, sensitivity and care. Practices and processes of respect and celebration of Indigenous cultural authority are not typically taught in the general education systems where most non-Indigenous artists, architects and other design professionals undertake their training, but these must be recognised. If not, the intended project just continues the practice of colonisation. The inherent obligation for non-indigenous people who intend to engage with indigenous communities is to undertake certain absolute basics around working on someone else’s country. Firstly you must know who you are and where you come from. Secondly it is essential to know whose country you are on.”