Lily Roy is a senior Walamungu woman. She is a respected cultural practitioner and one of a handful of living fluent Yan-nhaŋu speakers who were instrumental in developing a Yan-nhaŋu dictionary with her late mother in law, Laurie Baymarrwangga (‘Senior Australian of the year’ in 2012).
Roy is also a celebrated fibre artist, maker of mindirr (conical baskets), an-gujechiya (jungle vine fish trap) and djulnyirr (round-feathered mats that represent saltwater bubbles). She performed with her Malarra sons in presenting the 2005 and 2006 NATSIAA (Telstra Aboriginal Art Awards) and was a finalist in the awards herself in 2008. She has collaborated with fellow artist Regina Wilson on multiple occasions in delivering balgurr (bush string) and an-gujechiya workshops as part of the Arnhem, Northern and Kimberley Artists (ANKA) Harvesting Traditional Knowledge program.
Roy has extensive experience in community governance. She sat on the Boards of Milingimbi Art & Culture, ANKA, the Arnhem Land Progress Association (ALPA), the Milingimbi Resource Centre and the Milingimbi Community Council. She has also worked closely with the Northern Land Council in a community liaison role and holds a seat on the East Arnhem Shire.
Birth:
3/8/1952
Clan:
Gamal Walamaŋu
Language:
Burarra, Djambarrpuyngu, Yan-nhangu
Homeland:
Yilan
