Guypunura "Janet" Munyarryun (born ) is an Aboriginal dancer, choreographer and tutor. She was a founding member of the

Bangarra Dance Theatre Bangarra Dance Theatre is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dance company focused on contemporary dance. It was founded by African American dancer and choreographer Carole Y. Johnson, Gumbaynggirr man Rob Bryant, and South African-bor ...

Biography

Munyarryun was born in

Yirrkala Yirrkala is a small community in East Arnhem Region, Northern Territory, Australia, southeast of the large mining town of Nhulunbuy, on the Gove Peninsula in Arnhem Land. Its population comprises predominantly Aboriginal Australians of th ...

, a community in

Arnhem Land Arnhem Land is a historical region of the Northern Territory of Australia. It is located in the north-eastern corner of the territory and is around from the territorial capital, Darwin, Northern Territory, Darwin. In 1623, Dutch East India Compa ...

Northern Territory The Northern Territory (abbreviated as NT; known formally as the Northern Territory of Australia and informally as the Territory) is an states and territories of Australia, Australian internal territory in the central and central-northern regi ...

. She grew up in the Garthalala homeland, and as a young girl she travelled with her family across country to establish the community of Dhalinybuy. She is a

Yolngu The Yolngu or Yolŋu ( or ) are an aggregation of Aboriginal Australian people inhabiting north-eastern Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory of Australia. ''Yolngu'' means "person" in the Yolŋu languages. The terms Murngin, Wulamba, Yalnuma ...

woman of the Wangnurri clan. In 1984, she started working at

National Aboriginal and Islander Skills Development Association The NAISDA Dance College (usually referred to as simply NAISDA) is a performing arts training college based in Kariong, New South Wales for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia. It was established as the Aboriginal Islander S ...

(NAISDA) Dance College in

Sydney Sydney is the capital city of the States and territories of Australia, state of New South Wales and the List of cities in Australia by population, most populous city in Australia. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Syd ...

, and started cultural workshops to bring traditional dance practices to urban students. She also helped establish the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Dance Theatre (AIDT), contributing as a choreographer and tutor. In 1989,

was formed after NAISDA director Carole Johnson left the organisation, and Munyarryun contributed as a founding member. She had two children, Rarriwuy and Guruguru, to Paul Hick, an

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Culture, language and peoples * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England * ''English'', an Amish ter ...

-born dancer. They separated when Rarriwuy was young. Rarriwuy remarked of her mother: " hewas dancing at Bangarra when she was pregnant with me and she took me to all the rehearsals and performances after I was born". Munyarryun has continued as the cultural advisor for Bangarra, ensuring that their "performances adhere to the traditional stories and songs of her people". She has also worked as an advisor to the

Australian Ballet The Australian Ballet (TAB) is the largest classical ballet company in Australia. It was founded by J. C. Williamson Theatres Ltd and the Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust in 1962, with the English-born dancer, teacher, repetiteur an ...

. In May 2012, Munyarryun performed with an Aboriginal dance troupe at

Windsor Castle Windsor Castle is a List of British royal residences, royal residence at Windsor, Berkshire, Windsor in the English county of Berkshire, about west of central London. It is strongly associated with the Kingdom of England, English and succee ...

England England is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is located on the island of Great Britain, of which it covers about 62%, and List of islands of England, more than 100 smaller adjacent islands. It ...

, for celebrations of Queen

Elizabeth II Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 21 April 19268 September 2022) was Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms from 6 February 1952 until Death and state funeral of Elizabeth II, her death in 2022. ...

Diamond Jubilee A diamond jubilee celebrates the 60th anniversary of a significant event related to a person (e.g. accession to the throne or wedding, among others) or the 60th anniversary of an institution's founding. The term is also used for 75th annivers ...

. She also worked to establish the Bunggul Djama Arts Alliance, a community-driven initiative to foster Yolngu performance arts and mixed-media projects. In 2013, Munyarryun worked on and performed in the dance production ''The Morning Star''. The production travelled between Arnhem Land and Mirramu Creative Arts Centre near Lake George in

Bungendore Bungendore is a town in the Queanbeyan Region of New South Wales, Australia, in Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council. It is on the Kings Highway, Australia, Kings Highway near Lake George, New South Wales, Lake George, the Molonglo River Valle ...

, NSW.

Theatre

* 1997-1999 – ''Fish'',

* 2012 – ''Infinity'': ''Warumuk − in the dark night'', vocalist, Bangarra Dance Theatre * 2013 – ''The Morning Star''

Awards

* 2012 – Dancer of the Year,

Deadly Awards The Deadly Awards, formally titled National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Music, Sport, Arts and Community Awards and commonly known simply as The Deadlys, was an annual celebration of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander a ...

Personal life

She has a younger brother Djakapurra Munyarryun, a performance artist and dancer, and who was also a founding member of the Bangarra Dance Theatre. Her children are

Rarriwuy Hick Rarriwuy Hick (born ) is an Aboriginal Australian award-winning actress, known for her roles in the television series ''Redfern Now'', '' Cleverman'', '' Wentworth'' and '' True Colours''. Early life and education Hick was born around 1991 i ...

, an actress and dancer, and Guruguru Hick, rap artist.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Munyarryun, Janet 1960s births Living people Yolngu people Australian female dancers Australian choreographers Australian women choreographers