Margaret Kemarre Turner


Margaret Kemarre Turner, also known as M K Turner, is an Arrernte woman, who belongs to the Akarre people and she is an elder in her community, interpreter, artist and author. She has also being involved with the Institute for Aboriginal Development in Alice Springs where she has taught language, culture and cross-cultural courses.

Early life

Turner was born nearby the Spotted Tiger Bore of Harts Range, approximately. 215 km north-east of Alice Springs, until her family was moved off the land due to an influx of miners and the creation of a large army base during World War II.
The family were initially moved by the government to the Catholic Church had established the Little Flower Mission in 1937 on Charles Creek; nearby The Bungalow.
The family were moved again in 1942, by the army, to the Catholic mission at Arltunga and, within a few years were moved to Santa Teresa Mission, now Ltyentye Apurte, where she started her formal education.

Career

Turner has had a long career working across Central Australia and some of her key achievements are:
Everything that Turner has done in her career is with the aim to keep Arrernte country, language and culture strong.
Turner is a mother, grandmother and great-great grandmother.

Works

Margaret Kemarre Turner, Shawn Dobson, Alice Springs : IAD Press, 1996 life story
Margaret Kemarre Turner, Barry McDonald, Jill Walsh, Margaret Kemarre Turner, Veronica Dobson  , Alice Springs : IAD Press, 2010 selected work life story

Awards