Culturally driven trips going to Tjukurrpa (dreaming) sites and special water places that have been rediscovered through the Birriliburu ranger program are special. It is Martu people being able to reconnect with places that are culturally important and part of their family history.

In June, the Birriliburu Rangers did a trip out to Yarrparn Tjurnu (soak) in the west of the IPA. Birriliburu IPA Coordinator, Justin McKinnon said it was the second time visiting there since it was spotted by ranger Brad Wongawol during helicopter burning a few years ago. 

“After crossing sand dune country, we arrived at the soak adjacent to a lovely claypan, there were food plants and grinding stones all around it,” Justin said. 

The ladies on the trip who included Elder Lena Long and some of her family, spoke of their mother and grandmother telling them about this place when they were young. 

“Lena’s grandmother told her about this soak when she was a child, her grandmother visited there when she was living on Country, hiding there when there was conflict on the Canning Stock Route.

“The men dug the soak out and fresh water filled in.”

On the way back the group stayed at Milyirlirri to check on the campground, empty the facilities and pull some buffel grass. They also celebrated one of the ranger's 21st birthday!

“Sitting there, finding grinding stones, food plants and having the young rangers dig the soak out like the old people used to do is a beautiful experience. People reconnect with how their ancestors lived only a short time ago,” Justin said. 

“It was also pretty adventurous getting out there, crossing lots of big sand dunes.”