Tiger Tjalkalyirri

Tiger Tjalkalyirri also known as Tiger Tjalkaljeri (c. 1906 – 2 June 1985) was a Pitjantjatjara man who was an Australian guide, elder and land-rights campaigner for his people; especially in relation to Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park.

Biography Tjalkalyirri was born at Wintawata, near Amata, in the Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands. He was the second of three sons born to Kutunari and his second wife Antumara. His totem was the Nyintaka (Perentie).

Tjalkalyirri acted as an early guide and climbing partner to early visitors to Uluṟu including Arthur Groom in 1947; Groom referred to him as Talkajyerie. He is quoted in Groom's subsequent book saying:

He is considered one of the first climbing guides of the rock and is thought to have actively encouraged people to climb; this was used by some as evidence against the closure of the Uluṟu climb.

Tjalkalyirri played an active role in the 1960 centenary celebrations of John McDouall Stuart's first expedition and 'discovery' of Central Australia and,

He died on 2 June 1985 in Alice Springs and was buried at Hermannsburg.

He is also recorded in various recordings available through AIATSIS in a series made by anthropologist Robert Layton in 1977.