Kaṯiṯi Wiṟu (Healthy Teeth) comes to Coober Pedy
August 12, 2026
In June 2026, the MLT travelled to Coober Pedy to run a Kaṯiṯi Wiṟu (Healthy Teeth) community workshop, led by MLT Senior Language Expert and Yankunytjatjara woman Karina Lester. The community workshop brought together local community members for a day of activities focusing on oral health, healthy eating and speaking the Yankunytjatjara language.
Kaṯiṯi Wiṟu (Health Teeth) was launched at Iwantja (Indulkana) on the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands in May 2025. Kaṯiṯi Wiṟu workshops aim to Close the Gap by improving oral health outcomes, while at the same time strengthening an endangered Aboriginal language. The 2026 workshop at Coober Pedy was run in partnership with the Oral Health Association of Australia and the Umoona Arts Centre.
The campaign artwork was created by local artist, Myra Kumantjara, who designed an impactful dual artwork featuring Kaṯiṯi Wiṟu (good teeth) and Kaṯiṯi Kuya (bad teeth), surrounded by Mai Wiṟu (healthy foods) and Mai Kuya (unhealthy foods). The artwork was incorporated into a range of educational resources and promotional t-shirts, which were distributed to community members on the day.
Hosted at the Umoona Community Cafe, the workshop featured a series of interactive language activities designed to encourage learning through play. Children and adults matched mai wiṟu to kaṯiṯi wiṟu, and mai kuya to kaṯiṯi kuya, guessed the amount of sugar contained in everyday foods, and explored the causes of tooth decay through hands-on activities, including drawing cavities. These activities encouraged community members to use Yankunytjatjara vocabulary while discussing healthy food choices and positive oral hygiene habits.
Building on the success of the APY Lands initiative, the Coober Pedy workshop extended the reach of the Kaṯiṯi Wiṟu project, providing another opportunity for community members to engage with language in a practical, enjoyable, and culturally meaningful way whilst reinforcing the important of good oral health and healthy eating.
Watch a video of the day below:
The MLT would like to thank everyone who contributed to the success of the Kaṯiṯi Wiṟu workshop, including Myra Kumantjara, Umoona Arts Centre, Umoona Community Cafe, and all community members who participated throughout the day. We look forward to continuing our partnerships to create opportunities for community-led language learning and culturally meaningful health promotion.
Interested in learning more about the Kaṯiṯi Wiṟu project? Click here to see the video from the first launch. To learn more about MLT’s community partnerships and language projects, explore our latest news stories.