Marie Elena Ellis

Marie Elena Ellis is an Arrernte/Warlpiri woman from the Amoonguna remote community, located east of Mparntwe (Alice Springs). Renowned as a cultural adviser, multi-linguist, educator, scriptwriter, and poet, Marie has made significant contributions to the arts and education sectors.

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She served on the First Nations Advisory Board for Pearson Publishing in 2023, played a pivotal role in establishing Running Water Community Press, and completed a prestigious residency at the University of Melbourne’s Publishing Program in 2024. Her dedication to literary excellence was further recognised with the Varuna Writing Fellowship, supporting her forthcoming manuscript. In 2025, Marie joined the board of Red Dirt Poetry Incorporated.

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Rooted in the traditional family values of Arrernte culture and kinship law, Marie’s upbringing was shaped by her parents and grandparents, who instilled in her the Dreaming stories, language, and values of her people. These philosophies are central to her artistic practice. Over the past two decades, Marie has established herself as a visual artist, painter, and poet, drawing inspiration from her heritage and lived experiences.

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Currently residing in Amoonguna, Marie continues to innovate, most recently collaborating with musician Daniel McAleer on a series of poetic recordings that blend soundscapes with poetry, further expanding her creative impact.