New Superheroes hit the screen

By ERWIN CHLANDA

Wati Mai brings starving people food, feeds homeless people, gives them magic water.

Spider Girl Kungka helps kids stay safe.

Comes out at night.

Throws webs.

Scares kids to go home and makes them go to sleep ready for school.

Wati Tjina helps people who are lost to find their way home.

He knows all the footprints of every person and animal.

The latest animated movie from Hollywood?

No.

This production was conceived and produced by the tiny Imanpa community, about half way between Alice Springs and The Rock, in fact by its kids, and inspired by the voice of the TjiTji who brought the Superheroes to life.

The NPY Women's Council, which is behind the project, puts it into more mundane language.

It is reinforcing the kids' "senses of belonging and influence in the world" and teaching them "what is good and what is bad."It is reshaping the narrative on Aboriginal youth."

That, of course, is who's getting the blame for just about anything that's currently going wrong in this region.

"The Anangu Superhero Project was designed to give young people an opportunity to shape the narrative surrounding Indigenous youth and showcase their 'powers' of wisdom, strength, safety, courage, love and culture.

"The project encouraged young people to reflect on their own heroes at home and in community, and see themselves as powerful in a positive way.

"The project amplified young people's voices, reinforcing their sense of belonging and influence in the world."

The council says the project is embedded into the local Nyangatjatjara College curriculum, "character development, reading about superheroes and connecting concepts to everyday life”.

The heroes were painted onto the Imanpa youth shed as a mural, during a weeklong program, with activities highlighting youth leadership, food for strength, mindfulness and creativity.

"The ultimate power of the Superheroes is the voice of the children who created them."