Kumanjayi's home at the Lilla outstation operates as an educational campus, with thousands of interstate students and adults having stayed at Lilla over the years. Kumanjayi worked closely with Remote Tours NT and played a crucial role in helping to educate visitors about her culture and her people. She loved this work and always showed up with a big smile on her face. 

Kumanjayi performed smoking ceremonies to welcome newcomers to Country, hosted cultural walks around Lilla, taught dot painting and damper making workshops, and was a talented storyteller whose warm presence and witty sense of humour made all feel welcome. She was also involved in the annual Sports & Storytelling Festival, where she taught local Aboriginal students about the importance of preserving and celebrating their own culture. Kumanjayi touched thousands of lives, and her loss will be felt by many. 

As well as being a devoted educator, Kumanjayi was a talented artist. Her artworks hang in schools across Australia and have been sold through Alpitye Art Studio. You could often find her sitting peacefully at Lilla working on a painting, her artwork depicting facets of daily life at Lilla such as local bush foods, or traditional women’s stories of hunting and gathering. 

Part of Kumanjayi’s legacy is to preserve and celebrate Aboriginal culture and to bridge the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Kumanjayi found joy in sharing her Country and culture with others. Her mob want her legacy to live on at Lilla, which will continue to host educational tours for students and adults. Kumanjayi recognised the importance of this work, and we can honour her legacy by learning about Aboriginal culture and appreciating and respecting land and Country.

Kumanjayi was laid to rest in the cemetery at Lilla, alongside her mother, her father and her sister. A cleansing smoking ceremony was recently held by her immediate family members, and preparations are currently underway for Kumanjayi’s funeral, which will be held at Lilla in the coming weeks. Many are expected to travel from near and far to celebrate and remember Kumanjayi and to pay their respects.

The Watarrka Foundation offers their deepest condolences to Kumanjayi Williams’ family, friends and community. We thank her for all she has contributed. She will be deeply missed. 

To support the Foundation and our projects within the Northern Territory, make a donation at www.givenow.com.au/watarrkafoundation