Aboriginal Way

On Tuesday the 13th of December, members of the Kaurna community and supporters gathered at Wangayarta, the Kaurna memorial at Smithfield Memorial Park, to lay ancestors to rest in a community-led reburial.

Following historic reburials in December 2021 and June 2022, last week’s ceremony reburied ancestors who were disturbed from burial sites in Norwood, St Peters, Walkerville, Campbelltown and other areas of eastern Adelaide in the late 1800s and into the 20th century.

Many of these ancestors had been in the care of the South Australian Museum for nearly a century.

Wangayarta is a collaboration between Kaurna Yerta Aboriginal Corporation (KYAC), South Australian Museum, Adelaide Cemeteries and Department

This is a model pioneered by Kaurna, which the South Australian Museum is now exploring with other Aboriginal communities.

The eastern mound was prepared for Ancestors during Wangayarta’s co-design process. During construction, Uncle Moogy Sumner spread soils from all over Kaurna Country across the area as a way of allowing all ancestors to be buried in the soil of their Country.

The podcast, available via the link in our bio, contains on-site interviews and recordings of speeches taken from the day of repatriation at Wangayarta.

A Willawilla Karra Kuu (Kaurna shelter tree) estimated to be over 450 years old has been given a second wind after prolonged land management efforts from several groups.

The tree-saving initiative started by the Brownhill Creek Conservation Group in 2018, has been contributed to by local school students and volunteers who have planted around 2,800 native plants around the creek area.

The tree is a significant feature of Wirraparinga (Brownhill Creek) which had become inundated by introduced woods and a damaged root system from the digging of a local trench.

Kaurna Elder, Auntie Lynette Crocker, lead the planting of 200 Yam Daisies which were vital in healing the undergrowth of the tree and surrounding area.

Due to the hollowed-out nature of the tree she suggests it would have been used by Kaurna Ancestors for shelter in the past or possibly for storing items.

"I wish we had a USB we could put into the tree so that it could tell its story," Auntie Lynette said.

We spoke with Auntie Lynette ahead of a celebration for Kaurna shelter tree on November 6.

Kaurareg Aboriginal and Kalkalgal, Erubamle Torres Strait Islander man, Thomas Mayo, is a prominent Yes campaigner and advocate for the upcoming Voice referendum.

He has been one of the more visible presences across news media and has authored six books including The Voice to Parliament Handbook - All the details you need, released in May 2023.

We spoke to Thomas during his final visit to SA ahead of the October 14 referendum - discussing his involvement with the campaign and remaining civil during the surrounding discourse.

The Tarnanthi Art Fair will run from Friday 20 October to Sunday 22 October, with the event taking place at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre for the first time.

The 2023 Tarnanthi Festival features the work

We spoke with Tarnanthi Artistic Director, Nici Cumpston, about the works she was excited to see and what audiences can expect heading into this year's program.

Students have flocked to the 2023 STEM Aboriginal Learner Congress - the only one of its kind for Aboriginal children in Australia.

The event, held at the Adelaide Convention Centre, saw hundred of students from all across South Australia gain valuable education and industry experience in a variety of fields.

This year's theme of 'Cultural Innovators' reflected the past 60,000+ years of Aboriginal scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians - while looking forward to the future.

During the congress we spoke with STEM program manager, Jacky Smith, and a host of engaged young learners in attendance at the conference.

In 1998 Traditional Owners from the Nipapanha (formerly Nepabunna) community in South Australia became the first Indigenous people to dedicate their Country as an Indigenous Protected Area.

At this time the 58,000 hectares of rugged Country on Adnyamathanha lands was in a state of decline.

Today Nantawarrina is a leading example of replenishment thanks to the constant efforts of Indigenous rangers and Adnyamathaha men and women who have replanted native vegetation, removed feral animals and helped to preserve the native species.

We spoke with organisers of the 25th anniversary celebrations, John Chester and Gerry Butler, about the journey so far.

On August 28, 2023 the Wilyakali people were handed their native title rights and interests at a Federal Court ceremony near Mannahill, 360km northeast of Adelaide.

The consent determination area covers around 9,200 square-kilometres and stretches from the NSW border, on both sides of the Barrier Highway, to areas near Mannahill.

Wilyakali Aboriginal Corporation chair, Glen O’Donnell, said the date of the determination (August 28) would always be remembered by Wilyakali people.

“We’ve got a lot of Elders that have gone before us that are no longer here but were here in spirit - we were able to recognise this today.”

This sentiment was echoed by Wilyakali Aboriginal Corporation vice-chair, Sandra Clark.

"It’s a day for us to remember them, they fought very hard

"We’ve grown, we’re massive now – biggest mob."

We spoke with Glen O'Donnell, Sandra Clark and Jarrad Menz at Mannahill following the consent determination.

After 12 years with the Bangarra Dance Theatre, Frances Rings is delivering her first piece since stepping in as artistic director for the company.

'Yuldea' is a deeply personal ceremonial affirmation of history and heritage, inspired by her family’s connection to the area.

The piece tells the story of the Aṉangu people of the Great Victorian Desert and the abrupt moment that traditional life collided with the industrial ambition of a growing nation in South Australia.

In Yuldea, the ancient water soak, Yooldil Kapi, connected important trading routes and dreaming stories that crossed through the site for thousands of years.

We spoke with Frances ahead of Bangarra's shows on Kaurna Yerta.

Renowned Eastern Arrernte artist Scott Rathman has created a vibrant mural to welcome the Panama Women's National Football team and celebrate the diverse sporting community in the Playford region.

Scott has been painting murals around Australia for over 34 years and has provided mentorship for students at schools and aspiring artists.

“For me, I think Indigenous art from around the world has a

“The purpose of a lot of traditional art is storytelling and I always want to make sure I honour that tradition.”

Ridley Reserve, in Elizabeth, provided a training base for the Panama Women’s National Football team when they arrived in Australia for their FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign.

On July 6, the Ngadjuri people of South Australia received their second Federal Court-recognised native title consent determination, at a packed Burra Town Hall.

The determination area covers South Australian towns across the Mid North including Kapunda, Clare, Burra, Peterborough and Yunta.

In the five years since their first determination, a joint title overlap with the Adnyamathanha Ngadjuri and Wilyakali peoples, Ngadjuri representatives spoke with great adoration for their Country.

Ngadjuri Elder Aunty Patricia Waria-Read spoke at the native title hearing of her people’s history living in the area and encouraged those in attendance to reflect on the past while looking forward to a brighter future.