Jacinta Nampijinpa Price’s life story shows us love is the answer

Love that is unconditional, colourblind and soul-deep. Love so powerful it can bring us all, as human beings and as Australians, together as one. It was love that brought Jacinta’s Mum and Dad together. Bess, a Warlpiri woman, fell in love with David, of Irish ancestry, at Yuendumu. Jacinta says her parents gave her, “A sense of belonging to the world that wasn’t confined to any particular culture.” “I had Irish Catholic values from my father, and then Warlpiri values and spirituality from my Mother. “I was taught to make the best of both worlds, and to bring the two worlds together in love.” At age 12, Jacinta went on a three-month family holiday, visiting Africa, Europe, America and Tahiti. MORE TRIBES OF THE TERRITORY Brilliant mind, great heart: The Rachael McCullough story New Alice Springs feature series to launch next week Red Centre radio pioneer dedicated to giving people a voice Jacinta says this trip showed her, “We are all human”, and all that differentiates us is how we are brought up and “what goes on in the mind.” Bess and David also taught their daughter self-belief and self-worth. Jacinta was born in Darwin, and her baby spirit and personal dreamings- Jikipayinga (female crocodile)- come from the Tiwi Islands. Jacinta’s inherited dreamings are Warlpiri: Ngapa and Warlu (rain and fire). When Jacinta was just a toddler, she lost her only sibling, Leonard, who was 10, and had Leukaemia. “He’s been a Guardian Angel with me all my life. And that’s another place I really draw strength from.” Jacinta moved to Alice when she was 3, and was never afraid of being on stage. She sang in the choir, played violin, was on the debating team, and dominated the basketball court. Jacinta is one of the most naturally gifted singers you will ever hear. When she was 15, Jacinta and three friends created Alice’s first all-Indigenous Hip-Hop crew, ‘Flavour 4’. “We wanted to be positive role models for our peers. There was negative press about Indigenous youths. We wanted to show the community a positive example of Indigenous youth.” By the age of 19, Jacinta learnt the guitar and was writing her own music. A couple years later, ‘Catch the Fly’-one of the most iconic music acts in NT history- was born, and they performed alongside the likes of Naughty by Nature and Sisqo. Jacinta was also a TV star with Imparja, performing with the much loved children’s character ‘Yamba the Honey Ant.’ “I’m so grateful for that time in my life. It brought together the things I’m passionate about- being creative, and working to improve the lives of kids. “We’d go out to communities, and I know those kids experience real trauma, and I wanted to bring joy and happiness, at least at that moment, in to the child’s life.” Jacinta decided she wanted to bring about everlasting change, peace and joy for those who are trapped in cycles of trauma and abuse. “Seeing violence and abuse in my extended family first-hand when I was a kid. Witnessing the horrors of violence … “One night we went and rescued my little cousin who was 2, to get him away from fights and brawls. I held him all night in bed with me. I wanted to keep him safe and keep him away from harm. “I’ve always known I was in a position of a solid foundation in love. Often in a more privileged position than others. “So I felt a sense of responsibility to others. I knew I could defend myself in an argument or in a physical situation. So I wanted to be looking out for others.” Jacinta herself suffered domestic violence. “I was viciously attacked. He hit me in the head with a handheld spotlight. I had to get six stitches. “It took me a little while- I almost went back to him. But he double punched me in the face. I got two black eyes. He threw me to the ground and sat on me. “I knew this person was likely to kill me if I didn’t get out of the house. “I wasn’t going to become a part of that cycle. My sons were young. They did not deserve that. I did not deserve that. “There are those who spend a good portion of their life in that cycle of abuse. “It makes my stomach churn to think children, women and men are in that environment. It destroys one’s soul. That’s what drives me to create change. “I want people to come to their own realisation that they are worth so much more than that. “People who inflict pain on others have the ability to change. It’s a learnt behaviour. They themselves have often lived through trauma. There is freedom in taking responsibility. “Whether they are the perpetrator or the victim, they need to realise this isn’t beneficial. “Having lived and understood my own culture. I’ve seen there is an acceptance of violence. “In the past it was a means of social control, as it was in other small scale communities. “I want people to understand we don’t have to carry on those aspects of our culture that aren’t beneficial to us. “Freedom comes with making those changes and moving forward from that. “But as long as people are constantly being told that because of the colour of their skin they are victims, their agency is removed from them. “How are they expected to unlock their own freedom if they are continually being told they are victims.” Jacinta has faced ardent opposition, and often brutal, personal abuse. And she says that has made others afraid to speak up. “Everyone witnesses backlash that I get. They don’t want to be in that firing line.” Jacinta says she is contacted by many Aboriginal women from around the country, and they have formed a support network for each other. Jacinta says there are a lot of “quiet Australians” who agree with her, and “privately every day I receive messages of thanks from Aboriginal people.” “I’ve watched my close family live in fear, and not speak up because they are living in fear of violent retaliation and backlash. “I’ve been threatened, my Mum has been threatened. I can’t live in fear anymore. As long as someone is suffering in silence, I will continue to speak up.” Jacinta met the love of her life, Colin, from Scotland, nearly a decade ago. “I’m really proud of who we are together. We recognise each other’s strengths and encourage that within each other. “When it feels like everything has fallen in on top of me, Colin brings me back from the abyss. “I’m so thankful I’ve got Colin.” Jacinta also cherishes her four beautiful boys. “Leiland is 22, he’s studying Psychology at Uni. “Ethan is 18, he graduated Year 12 last year. He’s studying music production. “Declan just graduated Year 12. He’s also going to study music production.” Jacinta dearly loves her stepson Kinkade. Colin says, “Being part of a huge Aboriginal family, myself and Kinkade have been readily accepted as kin without question.” Jacinta says “historically things have been really tough” for Aboriginal people. But says, “In general in our country, there has been a tremendous amount of goodwill from non-Indigenous people.” Jacinta says political correctness is divisive and is not helpful. “Political correctness and racism are two faces of the same coin. Both rely on stereotypes to thrive. We can do with less of both. “It’s ridiculous having a world made of victims and oppressors. “Black, white or brindle we need to work towards genuine good for us all.” Jacinta ran in the electorate of Lingiari at last year’s Federal Election. While incumbent Warren Snowdon held the seat, Jacinta did achieve a 2.73% swing against her opponent. LIMITED TIME: New NT News subscription offer: $1 a week for the first 12 weeks Jacinta has been on the Alice Town Council since 2016, is now the Deputy Mayor. Jacinta is also the Director of the Indigenous Program at the Centre for Independent Studies. Jacinta says she wants to have another crack at a Federal Election. “Ultimately it would be nice to have a seat in Canberra. Having someone who understands traditional Aboriginal culture and the challenges faced in modern Australia. “There is a lack of real understanding in Canberra among much of our leadership. “We can’t really resolve our issues until we can have that understanding.” Understanding, positive action, growth, healing, unity. Love. Jacinta Nampijinpa Price shows that’s the answer.