Milikapiti
Milikapiti, or Snake Bay, is one of two Tiwi communities on Melville Island. Milikapiti community has a population of approximately 500 people.
Milikapiti is in a beautiful location on the edge of the Timor Sea. Facilities include the store, club with an onsite bakery, clinic, primary school, recreation hall, sports oval, Jilamara Art Centre and Airport. There is also Tiwi Island Adventures fishing lodge with accommodation.
Milikapiti is home to the mighty Muluwurri Magpies AFL Football Club, a fierce competitor in the Tiwi Islands Football League.
Access to Milikapiti is via daily flights through Fly Tiwi or various charter companies. Currently Tiwi Islands Regional Council is undertaking works on the Milikapaiti Oval and a new Water Play Area.
Check out all the amazing arts, crafts and community works achieved by the Milikapiti Community in the tabs below!
Jilamara Art Centre
Established in 1989, Jilamara Arts and Crafts Association is owned and governed by artists from the community of Milikapiti on the Tiwi Islands.
The Milikapiti community is on Wulirankuwu Country on the north coast of Melville Island overlooking the Arafura Sea. It is a small community that celebrates family, culture and art-making.
The art centre is the cultural hub of the community and houses working studios, wood carving and screen-printing workshops, the architecturally designed Kutuwulumi Gallery and the Muluwurri Museum – the only historical collection on Melville Island.
The term Jilamara describes “design” based on ceremonial ochre markings on the body. Reimagining these styles at the art centre has fostered a dynamic creative field for maintaining Tiwi knowledge, as well as sharing and celebrating contemporary living culture.
Jipungwayi
Jipungwayi has been developed around positive engagement with children and young people to create true wellness in body, mind and spirit and give them a sense of inclusion and respect for self and community. It gives young boys/girls a safe place to go, hang out, practice culture, and attend well-being activities that will help guide them and break the negative generational cycle youth experience daily by building a positive cultural and therapeutic approach.
Michael would like to share the fire in him to give young people the desire and drive to move forward by taking part in the activities Jipungwayi offers. This includes empowerment programs, learning on country (camps), hunting, fishing and culturally suitable activities, as well as formal sports activities that individuals can relate to, giving them newfound confidence and respect for others.
Michael’s vision is to see healthier and happier young people become the best versions of themselves. Over time this will address work readiness and workforce participation for youth who can give back to the community through their chosen career—surrounded by like-minded people who want similar outcomes.
Map of Milikapiti. Click here.