Introducing Apurte - le Mpwareme

Apurte - le Mpwareme, holding together, working together — an Aboriginal-led peacemaking partnership taking shape in Mparntwe/Alice Springs. Apurte - le Mpwareme is grounded in cultural authority and community leadership. Traditional Owners and Custodians alongside Town Camp Leaders are working together to provide a cultural healing service that works with families and communities to enable families to drive their own responses and solutions to conflict.

Tangentyere Council Aboriginal Corporation (Tangentyere), Lhere Artepe Aboriginal Corporation (LAAC) and the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA) are working as equal partners to establish Apurte - le  Mpwareme (translating to holding together, working together in Central Arrernte), in Mparntwe/Alice Springs and Town Camp areas.

This is a new way of service delivery embedding the strength of cultural healing approaches that have existed for generations within Aboriginal families and communities. The name reflects what this partnership is building. It brings together the strengths that exist in Aboriginal families and communities. It centres Aboriginal understanding of family, the intricacies of relationship and responsibility to country, family, children and kin. It brings together these intricate webs of family structures, the cultural knowledge, authority and strength of Arrernte Traditional Owners and Town Camp Leaders, so that restorative responses are shaped by the people who hold cultural authority.

A partnership like this has not been built before at this level in Central Australia. A Partnership Governance Group, with senior representation from all three organisations, leads the project by consensus. No single organisation speaks for this work alone, every major decision, from the shape of the service to who leads it, is made together.

The partnership is currently building the foundations of the service, ahead of an anticipated opening later this year. A central part of this early work is appointing two Program Managers, who will lead the service together under a co-management model. One of the two positions is an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander identified role, reflecting the importance of Aboriginal leadership and lived experience at the head of this service. Further project team roles will follow.

About the Partners:

Tangentyere Council

Tangentyere Council Aboriginal Corporation (Tangentyere) has supported Alice Springs Town Camp communities since the 1970s, providing family, community and social services alongside a long history of advocacy for self-determination and community-led solutions.

Lhere Artepe-Mparntwe Traditional Owners & Custodians

Lhere Artepe Aboriginal Corporation (LAAC) is the Prescribed Body Corporate representing the Traditional Owners of Mparntwe (Alice Springs). Our purpose is to empower, recognise and respect Apmereke-artweye (Traditional Owners) as leaders with a strong voice for their Central Arrernte Apmere (Country). The Arrernte people of the Antulye, Irlpme and Mparntwe estate groups have cared for this land since the Altyerre (Dreaming), maintaining a strong connection to Country, culture, and community. LAAC is committed to preserving Arrernte culture while strengthening the wellbeing, safety and resilience of Aboriginal people, families and the wider community.

North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency
The North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA) is an Aboriginal community-controlled organisation providing legal and justice services across the Northern Territory.