History of the Warlpiri

It was definitely a challenge to find information on this particular culture, but I am determined to dig in order to uncover as much information as I can about this particular group of people. After all, this is an expedition, isn't it? No one said it would be easy.

Not much seems to be known about the history of the Warlpiri besides when they were first discovered as well as where they seemed to have inhabited. The Warlpiri people are native to the Northern Territory of Australia and are a nomadic group of people. They traveled around Central Australia for centuries and never really settled in one area for very long. It is not certain how long ago the Warlpiri date back to, but it is estimated at 44,000 years ago that the first contact was made. Originally, the Warlpiri people tended to inhabit the Tanami Desert. Before the colonization of Australia, there were believed to be around 1,200 Warlpiri speaking people.

By 1862, Europeans had spread across Australia and into the Warlpiri region of Northern Australia. Slowly over the many coming years, the Warlpiri country were slowly losing their land until they were completely evicted. Starving and homeless Warlpiri people lining the stations alone the telegraph line of Warlpiri country led to government settlements being created for the Warlpiri people to reside. The first one was built in Tanami in 1945, the second in Yuendumu in 1946, and the third in Lajamanu in 1952.  

Today there are approximately 3,000 Warlpiri speaking people residing in Yuendumu, Lajamanu, Nyirrpi, Willowra and Alice Springs. The largest community of Warlpiri people are currently living in Yuendumu.