Welcome to Nyikina Mangala Community School

Nyikina Mangala Community School (NMCS) is a unique and vibrant learning environment located in the heart of the Jarlmadangah Burru community in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. As an independent, remote Aboriginal school, we are dedicated to providing a culturally rich and inclusive education for children from Pre-Kindergarten through to Year 10.

At NMCS, we embrace the rich cultural heritage of the Nyikina and Mangala people, integrating traditional knowledge and values with a modern, evidence-based curriculum. Our school prioritizes the learning and wellbeing of each child, fostering a strong connection to country, language, and culture while equipping students with the academic and social skills they need for future success.

Our dedicated staff work closely with community elders and families to create a supportive and engaging educational experience, where each student is valued and encouraged to achieve their full potential. Together, we nurture a learning environment that respects the diverse cultural backgrounds of our students and emphasises collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking.

Annie Milgin

Nyikina Mangala Community School is proud to acknowledge Aunty Annie Milgin as one of our foundational Elders and most cherished cultural leaders. A senior Nyikina Mangala woman, Annie was born under a tree on Nyikina Country near the former Paradise Station. Her knowledge has been passed down from her grandfather, parents, and other Old People. As Annie often says, “the Old People taught me many, many things.” Her deep cultural knowledge—spanning the Law of the River (Mardoowarra), bush medicine, Indigenous science, and songlines—continues to shape the cultural and spiritual heart of our school.

Annie Milgin has worked with Nyikina Mangala Community School since its creation, contributing to every layer of our school's development. She has supported teachers and students alike with her wisdom, her stories, and her spirit. Her leadership and guidance have ensured that Nyikina ways of knowing, being, and doing remain central to our learning practices.

Annie is also co-founder of the Yiriman Project, a nationally recognised initiative that empowers young Aboriginal people through culture and Country. She is a published author, artist, and storyteller, and was inducted into the WA Women's Hall of Fame in 2023 in recognition of her lifetime contributions to community wellbeing and cultural leadership.

Her contributions go beyond education—Annie has worked for many years as an Aboriginal health worker with DAHS and continues to be a leading voice in Kimberley-wide strategies for bush medicine and cultural sustainability.

In 2025, Aunty Annie was honoured as the Elder of the Lucy Ngarbal Marshall Oration, where she was celebrated for her tireless work passing down the knowledge of her ancestors to future generations. As she puts it, “They picked me because I was strong and had a good liyarn (spirit).”

We are grateful every day for the wisdom, strength, and love that Annie brings to our school and community.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Nyikina Mangala Community School acknowledges the current and past school leaders, community members, and Elders of the Jarlmadangah Burru community and surrounding areas. We honor those who have passed, who helped build this school. May their contributions be remembered and may their legacy continue to guide us forward.

Honouring and connecting to culture

Nyikina Mangala Community School partners closely with our local community to nurture strong, resilient children and build meaningful connections. We honour the Nyikina and Mangala people, the traditional custodians of this land, and acknowledge the many Aboriginal peoples who live here or have been displaced to this area.

At NMCS, we are committed to fostering in our students a deep understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures, and contributions. We proudly support the Uluru Statement from the Heart and aim to empower our students with knowledge of both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal histories. Through this, we encourage them to embrace a shared history that fosters pride and unity.

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