Wilya Janta focuses on changing the system, not just individual houses.
Wilya Ajjul Janta is guided by working two ways Wumpurrarni (Indigenous) and Papulinyi (non-Indigenous).
The fundamental principle of Warumungu Law, is to honour the law of the Country of neighbouring nations and follow Cultural Protocol. This protocol is laid out in the Jurnkkurakurr (Tennant Creek) Dreamtime story, which is still honoured and keeps community harmony.
The Warumungu word for “whitefella” is Papulinyi, a term that emerged during early colonisation. Traditionally, Warumungu people built temporary shelters (Papulu) when needed, living in close connection with the land. In contrast, non-Indigenous people lived permanently in houses—Papulu Nyinyta, “people who sit in houses.”
“Papulinyi, they lived in them little white tents all the time, never leave… People from a house, that’s what my old people called them.”
— Norman Frank Jupurrurla
“Papulinyi, they lived in them little white tents all the time, never leave… People from a house, that’s what my old people called them.”
— Norman Frank Jupurrurla
This difference reflects more than housing—it reflects fundamentally different ways of living. Yet for over a century, housing systems have failed to respond to this. Remote housing continues to be delivered with limited community input and little recognition of cultural or environmental needs.
The result is housing that doesn’t work: overcrowded, poorly designed, and disconnected from how people live. Even new builds prioritise durability over comfort, liveability and connection to place.
Wilya Janta is working to change this. By bringing together local knowledge and technical expertise, we support communities to design homes that reflect culture, environment and lived reality—creating housing that works, and supports people to thrive.