I am lucky to be have been taught by three exceptional teachers, who kindled and fuelled my passion for anthropology: Lukas Werth (at Freie Universität Berlin) made me fall in love with ideas, the late Dawn Ryan (at Monash University) made me appreciate that anthropology is about people, and Nic Peterson (at the Australian National University) made me see the exciting in the real. Their mantra (ideas, people, data) sustained and guided me through my fieldwork and the writing of this book. It led to my focus on the everyday: the ideas encapsulated in and expressed through it, the mechanics of it, and the people living it.
My most heartfelt thank-yous go out to the people I lived with, who tolerated my presence and incessant questioning with good humour, who drew me into their life, let me participate and taught me so much, who made fieldwork such an enjoyable experience and through their friendships turned Yuendumu into a true home for me. Special thanks go to Kumunjayi Jakamarra Ross, Kumunjayi Napaljarri Ross, Yuurltu, Kumunayi, Gurtley, Kieran, ENR, Keith, Kumunjayi Napangardi, Eugene, Nana, Shane, NO, RO, Ruth Napaljarri Oldfield, Warungka, Jorna, Lizzie, Serita, Rosie, Jeannie, Jangala, Dadu, Victor, Cecily, Uni, Andrea, Warren, Watson, Sera, Regina, Valery, Kumunjayi Napurrurla Wilson, Kumunjayi Nampijinpa Daniels, and Kumunjayi Japanangka Granites.
I thank Yuendumu Council and the Central Land Council for issuing the necessary permits and always being of assistance. For being supportive, generous and helpful in many small and some larger emergencies, I thank Mt Theo Substance Misuse Programme and Jaru Pirrjirdi, Yuendumu Women’s Centre, Warlukurlangu Artists Aboriginal Association, Warlpiri Media Association, Yuendumu Mining Co., and Yuendumu Clinic. At Yuendumu and Alice Springs I am especially grateful to Megan Hoy and Tristan Ray, Charlie and Clancy, Sue Morrish and John Boffa, Ronnie and Leonnie Reinhardt, David Raftery, Liam Campbell, the Little Sisters, Frank and Wendy Baarda, Mamata Lewis, Pam Malden, Andrew Stojanowski (Yakajirri), Olaf Geerken, Tara Lackey, Rita Cattoni and Brett Badger, for thousands of cups of tea, fabulous conversation, encouragement, and once in while a quiet place to stay.
This book grew out of my PhD thesis, and I am deeply grateful for the financial assistance I received from the Australian National University during my PhD degree and from the University of Western Australia during my postdoctoral fellowship. At both institutions I found wonderful friends and colleagues, who in one way or another helped me along with this book, through critical engagement, passionate debate, helpful advice, thoughtful insights, most welcome help with the fiddly things, and more cups of tea. I would like to especially mention Jon Altman, Sallie Anderson, Marcus Barber, Emily Buckland, Victoria Burbank, Paul Burke, John Carty, Georgia Curran, Richard Davis, Derek Elias, Sue Fraser, Don Gardner, Katie Glaskin, Chris Gregory, Nick Harney, Melinda Hinkson, Ian Keen, Alex Leonard, David McGregor, Andrew McWilliam, Erik Meijaard, Francesca Merlan, Howard Morphy, David Nash, Damon Parker, Michael Pinches, Greg Rawlings, Tim Rowse, Alan Rumsey, Will Sanders, Dionisio Soares, John Taylor, Bob and Myrna Tonkinson, Allon Uhlmann, Andrew Walker, Jill Woodman and Michael Young.
Extra special thanks go to Debbie McDougall, Kevin Murphy and Raelene Wilding for their generosity with red ink. More extra special thanks to Françoise Dussart and Lee Sackett, for their fine comments on my thesis and their friendship. Heartfelt thanks also to the anonymous reviewer who made such insightful comments on an earlier draft of this book, to Caroline Williamson for her considerate editing, and to Rhonda Black and the Aboriginal Studies Press team.
As always, I am deeply grateful to Heidi, Nazih, Dina and Yassin for accepting my choices, visiting me as often as they can, and looking after me from afar.
More than anybody else, ‘that Jampijinpa’, Nicolas Peterson, deserves my gratitude. Without him, this book would have never been written. He first suggested a PhD to me, he assisted me in coming to ANU and acquiring my scholarships, was the best supervisor a student could wish for and continues to be a wonderful friend. He helped me through every crisis, no matter whether at Yuendumu or Canberra, pushed me and my work when pushing was needed, always welcomed me in his office, even if it was three times in a day that I bothered him, and to this day most generously splashes red ink over everything I give him to read. Thank you very, very much for looking after me proper.