History

Beginnings

In 1971 a small group of people moved 190kms west of Amata (a large established settlement) to a place called Puta Puta. This was 24kms to the east of what was to become Pipalyatjara. The group was made up of a number of old men who had traditional ties to the area and responsibilities for various totemic sites. By 1974 there were 30 people at Puta Puta and in January 1975 there were 33 people at the Pipalyatjara Camp. This movement of the Anangu west, into the homelands, was one of the first movements of people out of the church and government settlements back into the country of their grandfathers and grandmothers. It was the start of the Homelands movement in the Pitjantjatjara lands. (p12)

Housing for Health: Towards a healthy living environment for Aboriginal Australia
Pholeros P, Rainow S, Torzillo P; Healthhabitat (c) 1993