Tjanpi (pronounced 'J-um-Py') is the Aboriginal women's basket weaving project and enterprise which started in the Central Western Desert region of Australia. Although basket weaving is relatively new to the Central Desert people, Anangu women have always made several items from fibres; hair belts, head bands, shoes from bark and feathers, and hair string skirts or face coverings for modesty and ceremonial purposes.
Ngaanyatjarra communities in Western Australia were the first to start weaving in 1995 after the Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Women's Council initiated the program in the region. The NPY Women's Council then continued to give further support to the Ngaanyatjarra women through marketing, training and exhibitions of the artworks.
Today, basket weaving is still spreading further and further across the desert with different regions developing their own unique styles. Tjanpi is now a small enterprise which produces baskets, beads, bush medicine and bushtucker at wholesale prices. All their products are freighted worldwide, with all profits from sales going back into further development of the project

NGAANYATJARRA PITJANTJATJARA YANKUNYTJATJARA WOMEN’S COUNCIL

NPYWC's region covers 350,000 square kilometres of the remote tri-State cross-border area of Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory - Area Map
NPYWC began in 1980. The push for a separate women’s forum came about during the South Australian Pitjantjatjara Land Rights struggle of the late 1970s. During consultations over land rights, many women felt that their views were ignored, so they established their own organisation. Anangu and Yarnangu (Aboriginal people) living on the Ngaanyatjarra, Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara lands (Western Desert language region) share strong cultural and family affiliations. What began as an advocacy organisation is now also a major provider of human services in the region, in essence working to address the needs that clinical health services cannot, and that government agencies do not directly provide in this remote area. NPYWC has taken this direction because of the glaring needs that exist in member communities

NPYWC represents women in the region, which has an over-all population of around 6000. The members’ determination to improve the quality of life for families in the region drives the organisation.

Its existence gives members an avenue for participation in the decision-making processes that affect them and their families.
It is a permanent forum where they are able to raise issues and make their opinions and decisions known. It also provides opportunities for Anangu to learn, share knowledge and keep informed about relevant issues. NPYWC’s success is largely due to its capacity to provide a decision-making process steered by the members. One of the major advantages of its existence is the development over time of members’ ability to consider and analyse policy issues, deal with government agencies and advocate on their own behalf.