AustLit

Tjunmutja Myra Watson was born at Coffin Hill in Ngupan. Travelling between Ooldea, Lake Maurice, Maralinga and Coffin Hill with her mother until she was 7 or 8, Tjunmutja was taken to a mission settlement where she lived until the age of 18. She was married in 1946 and had three children. In 1970, Tjunmutja moved to Yalata with her grandchildren. After two years Tjunmutja decided to leave due to problems associated with people drinking and fighting. Tjunmutja Watson has been living in Indulkana and has served as Chairwomen of the Women's Council for the years 1980-1985. Finding out about the Nuclear tests conducted in the Maralinga area was deeply upsetting for Tjunmutja as the Maralinga area had been an important area to her family. Tjunmutja Watson is an Elder and has been involved with the 'Kupa Pita Kungka Tjuta' (Senior Aboriginal Women's Council of Coober Pedy). The Kupa Pita Kungka Tjuta formed the anti-radioactive campaign 'Irati Wanti', the poison - leave it!', a protest against the Federal Government's dumping of nuclear waste in the central desert. The group was led by senior Kokatha, Antikarinya and Yankunyatjatjara women to defend their traditional lands against government proposals to build a nuclear waste dump.