Posted May 20, 2017 08:47:14

Photo: Tjulpu and Walpa authors Margaret Smith (left) and Rene Kulitja read through their new book. (ABC News: Claire Campbell)

A group of senior Indigenous women and traditional healers from Central Australia have become first-time authors in an attempt to reduce abuse, neglect and trauma in children.

Their picture book, Tjulpu and Walpa, is being launched as part of the NT Writers' Festival in Alice Springs.

The story follows the lives of two different girls growing up.

Tjulpu (bird that sings) is raised in a loving and supportive family and leads a happy life, whereas Walpa (the wind) experiences domestic violence and is moved from family to family.

Co-author and NPY Women's Council director Margaret Smith said she hoped the book — inspired by the women's own childhood memories — would educate people about how to raise healthy and happy kids.

"This book is a bit like a trauma story," she said.

"It's happening today in our community, in all your cities, kids are going through trauma."

"[It's written] for everybody in the community, old and young, even for school and youth.

"This book will make [children] understand in their mind, where their life is, are they in the Walpa world or the Tjulpu world?"

Photo: The opening of the NT Writers Festival 2017 in Alice Springs. (ABC News: Claire Campbell)

Over the past four years, the women have been gathering to brainstorm ways to make positive changes for their families and communities, which are often ridden with issues of domestic violence, neglect and child removal.

"We always wanted to achieve a book from NPY Women's Council of our stories, our life, so it's great to see the book come out," Ms Smith said.

Momentum for the writers' festival event in Alice Springs is growing, with a number of events selling out this year.

While the NT Writers' Festival features many local and interstate writers, it celebrates all forms of storytelling from songs to stories told through sand.

NT Writers' Festival director Dani Powell said she did not want any form of storytelling to be more important than another.

"What I've tried to do is put together a program that sits different knowledges, languages side by side, walking together," she said.

"It's better to think about the conversations people are having here, bringing people here who can have conversations with writers and storytellers and song women from here.

"We're looking at stories all coming together and crossing."

The festival finishes on Sunday.

Topics: carnivals-and-festivals, community-and-multicultural-festivals, books-literature, arts-and-entertainment, alice-springs-0870