Aboriginal Way

13/09/2024

💧On August 29, water was released from the Beetaloo Reservoir in an effort to preserve ancient river red gums and assist Nukunu to care for and connect to Country.

This follows water releases from the Baroota Reservoir a couple weeks prior and similar trial releases from the Beetaloo and Baroota reservoirs in 2021 and 2022.

These releases were in response to community concern about the health of the ancient trees, many of which are estimated to be more than 500 years old.

More than a billion litres of water from the two releases flowed the into Baroota and Crystal Brook creeks in an effort to improve the resilience of the river red gums and refresh natural habitats for frogs, fish, birds and bugs.

Project partners and local community will monitor and record progress of the water flowing along the creeks to safeguard creek infrastructure and surrounding properties, while also surveying the response of water-dependent animals.

The releases are part of the collaborative Environmental and Cultural Flows project, led by the Northern and Yorke Landscape Board with support from SA Water, the Department for Environment and Water (DEW), Flinders University, Nukunu Wapma Thura Aboriginal Corporation and local communities.

AW attended the Beetaloo water release, just outside of Crystal Brook, and interviewed Nukunu Wapma Thura Aboriginal Corporation chair Travis Thomas, Nukunu Elder Laurie Thomas, DEW senior ecologist, Dr Douglas Green and Northern and Yorke Landscape Board planning officer Jennifer Munro.

🎧 Listen to the full episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1HepLf6JSOBYTcNxRQM6Dn?si=7ac797014c0d4305

29/08/2024

🎙 Wakwakurna Kanyini is the new peak body for South Australian Aboriginal children and young people.

We spoke to Ashum Owen earlier this week - her first week on the job as Wakwakurna Kanyini's inaugural Chief Executive about her plans for the organisation.

🎧 Listen to this episode of Aboriginal Way wherever you get your podcasts!

15/08/2024

📌📰 Issue 95 of Aboriginal Way covering Winter 2024 is out now!

Check out these stories and more...

🔸 Elders share knowledge at cultural camp in the APY Lands
🔸 The significance of cultural burning in land management for Nukunu
🔸Holding on to Our Future - Aboriginal children in out-of-home care
🔸 Frontier conflict map details SA's chequered past
🔸 Yitpi Yartapuultiku, the new “Soul of Port Adelaide”

📰 Read it online here www.nativetitlesa.org/aboriginal-way-mag/

✔️ Subscribe via the link in our bio for the online edition or to receive a free hard copy of the next edition delivered directly to your letterbox.

13/08/2024

🎙 Yitpi Yartapuultiku or “soul of Port Adelaide” in Kaurna language, is a new Aboriginal cultural centre currently under construction on the shores of the Port River, right in the heart of Port Adelaide.

🔨 You can see the centre really starting to take shape when driving past or going past on the train. It’s set to open its doors to the public in February 2025 – only six months away.

The centre has been a long time in the making, and today, AW is sitting down with Place Leader Rodney Welch, Site Coordinator Rikki Wilson, and Chair of the Advisory Panel, Susan Dixon to hear more about it and how it’s setting a new standard for Aboriginal cultural centres.

🎧 Listen to the latest episode of Aboriginal Way here https://shorturl.at/jbZjD or search and subscribe to the show wherever you get your pods!

City of Port Adelaide Enfield

06/08/2024

We know there is a higher rate of diabetes amongst Indigenous Australians, but did you know just how high?

Aboriginal Australians are about three times more likely to suffer from diabetes than non-Indigenous Australians and have a higher rate of complications from the disease.

Aboriginal people are also about 4.7 times more likely to die from diabetes than their non-indigenous counterparts, so it is a huge issue for Indigenous communities.

Telethon Kids Institute is currently undertaking a community-led study about why there are such high rates of type-two diabetes in Aboriginal people across South Australia - The Aboriginal Diabetes Study.

We spoke with Amanda Richards-Satour, Community Engagement Coordinator in the Indigenous Genomics Team and Rose Senesi, Strategic Relationship and Engagement Manager from the Telethon Kids Institute, about the study.

Listen to the latest episode of AW here or wherever you get your pods! https://open.spotify.com/episode/0tD9fPdutQgHooIH7SRpII

28/06/2024

Tune in for the second part of our discussion about the rising number of Aboriginal children and young people being removed from their families right here in South Australia.

Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People SA April Lawrie has put forward 48 findings and 32 recommendations from her Inquiry in the final report Holding on to Our Future.

She discusses her findings, recommendations, and the five changes she says could have a real impact if they were implemented immediately.

If you haven't already, we suggest you listen to Part 1 of this conversation before this one for full context.

21/06/2024

Did you know that a growing number of Aboriginal children and young people are being unnecessarily and disproportionately removed from their families and communities in South Australia?

AW speaks to SA's first Commissioner of Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People SA People, April Lawrie, about her Inquiry, which has uncovered some shocking statistics.

Some statistics here in South Australia:
📌 Aboriginal children make up just 5.5% of all children
📌 Yet they represent 37.4% of all children in out-of-home care
📌 94 in every 1000 Aboriginal children is in out-of-home care compared to 8 in every 1000 non-Aboriginal children
📌 62% of placements are in non-Aboriginal forms of care
📌 Without change, it's predicted that by 2031, as many as 140 in every 1000 Aboriginal children will be in out-of-home care

The Inquiry's final report, "Holding on to Our Future", included 32 recommendations and 5 actions that could have an immediate impact.

Tune into AW next week to hear more from Commissioner Lawrie about these actions.

Read the full report "Holding on to Our Future" ⁠at www.cacyp.com.au

Listen to the episode of AW here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1Ji8xaWjdecD8iOCV7dMeO

04/06/2024

Catch up on these stories and more in the latest issue of Aboriginal Way:
APY Land Rights Act celebrated at Umuwa Koonibba launch lifts traditional owners Kaurna burns return at Wirraparinga Elders record their stories around Innamincka Narungga Nation leads port consultation

📒Read here: www.nativetitlesa.org/aboriginal-way-mag

✔️Subscribe to receive a free copy direct to your email or letterbox: nativetitlesa.org/about-aboriginal-way 📬

11/03/2024

Catch up on these stories and more in the latest issue of Aboriginal Way:

- Kaurna Ancestors repatriated in ceremony at Wangayarta
- Community rallies to save iconic Kaurna shelter tree
- Survival Day 2024
- Historic Kingston SE project balances colonial lens.

Read here: www.nativetitlesa.org/aboriginal-way-mag

Subscribe to receive a 🆓 copy direct to your email or letterbox: nativetitlesa.org/about-aboriginal-way 📬

06/02/2024

With the South Australian First Nations Voice to Parliament pushing forward, eligible candidates are being asked to put their hand up and nominate themselves ahead of the March 16 election.

AW spoke with South Australia's Commissioner for First Nations Voice Dale Agius , about the key frameworks, history and scope of the forthcoming Voice.

The SA Voice intends to platform people to speak on behalf of their communities on a range of matters and issues related to First Nations groups.

Detailed in our conversation are breakdowns of nomination areas, what participation will look like and general discussion about the function of the SA Voice.

Anyone wishing to nominate themselves will be able to do so up until 12 February 2024.

Head to the link below to hear the full yarn.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/70JoXVC8hcHq4skHLC7oqc?si=98b1b935a775415a

19/12/2023

On December 13, 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.

During the ceremony, Ancestors were returned from disturbed burial sites in the eastern suburbs of Adelaide, which had been held under the custodianship of the South Australian museum since the late 1800s and into the 20th century.

The repatriation followed historic reburials in December 2021 and June 2022, utilising a pioneering Kaurna method to return Ancestors from the custodianship of museums and universities more-widely.

Kaurna Elder Aunty Madge Wanganeen worked with the South Australian Museum for the repatriation and described the process as both an “overwhelming and beautiful” experience.

“At times when I do the wrapping it becomes overwhelming, but it’s extended now into the community,” Aunty Madge said.

“The journey has been hard for us Kaurna people, so it’s important to know we’re being recognised - Wangayarta brings us to everybody.”

Wangayarta is a collaboration between Kaurna Yerta Aboriginal Corporation (KYAC), South Australian Museum, Adelaide Cemeteries and Department of Premier and Cabinet Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation.

The latest Aboriginal Way podcast, available via the link below, contains on-site interviews and recordings of speeches made during the recent repatriation at Wangayarta.

Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6gnTvyUcGRaSaQEoounGIl?si=a9c62fb84a5047d1

20/11/2023

Welcome to Aboriginal Way 92, featuring our new layout and branding (thanks to We Create Print Deliver)!

Inside our spring edition:

- Tarnanthi Festival 2023
- Federal Court formally recognises Wilyakali people’s native title
- Nantawarrina: 25 years strong
- State Voice to Parliament rolls on following federal defeat
- STEM celebrates over 65,000 years of learning.

Read now: www.nativetitlesa.org/aboriginal-way-mag
Free subscription: nativetitlesa.org/about-aboriginal-way

07/11/2023

A Willawilla Karra Kuu (Kaurna shelter tree) estimated to be over 450 years old has been protected by 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 weeds 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 had a chat with Auntie Lynette ahead of a celebration for the Kaurna shelter tree on November 6.

Listen to our full interview via the website link below🌱

A Willawilla Karra Kuu (Kaurna shelter tree) estimated to be over 450 years old has been protected by 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 vol...

13/10/2023

Thomas Mayo, a Kaurareg Aboriginal and Kalkalgal Erubamle Torres Strait Islander man, has been one of the most prominent public advocates for the Voice to Parliament referendum.

Since becoming a signatory for the Uluru Statement of the Heart, Mayo has travelled the country continually listening to and speaking with people about the potential benefits of the Voice.

He is the author of several books on the matter, including The Voice to Parliament Handbook: All the details you need (2023).

Aboriginal Way spoke with Mr Mayo following his time spent campaigning on Kaurna land in the lead-up to the referendum.

Listen to the full chat here https://open.spotify.com/episode/7BL5wWmpeoCBRx8Dy6xqpB?si=8632b58cbc644067

03/07/2023

Two weeks ago a group of Australian atomic survivors travelled to Canberra to speak with government decision-makers about their experiences as survivors of the British nuclear testing program in WA and SA.

They outlined expectations for future action from the government to acknowledge and address the harm caused by nuclear weapons testing, calling directly on the Prime Minister to sign the treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW).

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the British nuclear testing program at Emu Field in South Australia, and one of the delegates, Karina Lester, a Yankunytjatjara Anangu woman from north-west South Australia, is a second generation nuclear test survivor from these tests.

Her late father, Yami Lester, was blinded by the tests at Emu Field, and Karina carries his story as well as her grandmother’s story about the impacts of the tests on her people.

“Our mob were not informed of those tests that were about to take place on our traditional lands,” said Karina.

“Consent was never given by Anangu for the Emu Field tests. The Government did not come and ask Anangu if it was okay to test on our traditional lands.

"First Nations peoples of this Country have been speaking up strong about truth telling, this is our truth telling, about the impacts felt by my people, Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara, the contamination of our traditional lands, the hurt and pain and suffering still felt to this day.

"All Australians need to know the truth about what happened on our own soil.

Listen to the full chat with Karina here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4Qg8HncQc9F4KeP1BPBJN1?si=b33e4af93fd5488b

09/06/2023

📝 With extensive rolling coverage in regards to the Federal Referendum, you may have missed the establishment of the South Australian First Nations Voice to Parliament.

Back in March, South Australia became the first Australian jurisdiction to pass a bill legislating a state Indigenous Voice to parliament.

Separate from the Federal Voice, the initiative is intended to provide a direct line of communication for elected Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders with the SA parliament.

We spoke with the Electoral Commission of South Australia's Director of Advertising and Communications, James Trebilcock, about the key dates, enrolment and nomination process for the upcoming elections and differences between the state and Federal Voice.

Six regions across South Australia will feature an elected body, with only Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders eligible to vote and nominate for this election.

Successful nominees will form Local First Nations Voice bodies, with each region choosing two joint presiding members to represent their region on the SA Voice.

Elections for the Local First Nations Voice will be held on 9 September 2023.

Link below or listen live on Radio Adelaide tonight at 6pm.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1vo2ioaRQkCyCejgYVckvL?si=6TtbF8GSSt24Sia18u9Lsw

22/05/2023

📰 Issue 90 of Aboriginal Way is now out, featuring these stories and more:

• Native title wins on Eyre and Yorke Peninsulas
• Proposed changes to the constitution
• Kaurna program & Reconciliation Garden at Upper Sturt Primary School
• A tribute to Yunupiŋu, a lifelong warrior for Aboriginal rights

💻 Read online: nativetitlesa.org/aboriginal-way-editions/
🔔 Subscribe in print or online: nativetitlesa.org/about-aboriginal-way/

18/04/2023

🎙 Faith Thomas AM, the first Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person to play for Australia in any sport, has died at aged 90.

The Adnyamathanha woman played cricket for SA in the 1950’s, before playing Test Cricket for Australia against England in 1958 as a fast bowler. She's still one of just four Indigenous Australians to have played in a Test for Australia, alongside Jason Gillespie, Ash Gardner and Scott Boland.

A survivor of the Stolen Generations policy, Aunty Faith was raised at Colebrook Home in the Finders Rangers alongside friend Lowitja O’Donoghue, and both women were among the first group of Aboriginal nurses to graduate from the Royal Adelaide Hospital in the 1950’s.

Aboriginal Way did an interview about the life of Faith Thomas AM a couple of years ago with Tyson Baird, who bonded with her over a shared love of cricket in her hometown of Port Augusta. He went on to co-produce the 2021 NITV documentary about her life called “Before Her Time”, which is available to watch on SBS on Demand. Please enjoy this repeat episode of Aboriginal Way, and note that Thomas's family have granted permission to use her name and images.

🎧 Listen to this episode of Aboriginal Way on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or on our website www.nativetitlesa.org/faith-thomas-am-ahead-of-her-time/

12/04/2023

🎙 "There’s a sense of excitement that something really big is growing from this and it’s encompassing not just the school, but everything around the school that’s linked to it… I’m awed that my boys get to have this experience and know that it will be a visible part of their lives forevermore. It’s not going to be this hidden, misunderstood almost myth that you hear about as a child, that’s edited so heavily.

These children have now got truth, they’ve got connection to Kaurna people, to the culture. They’ve got an experience of that culture that is visible to them, and they are a part of it. I’m really optimistic about what this means for the future of reconciliation and for the preservation of Kaurna culture and language." - parent of Upper Sturt Primary School students.

Aboriginal Way recently visited Upper Sturt Primary School to learn about its Kaurna Program led by Kaurna Elder Uncle Tamaru, which only began in 2021, but is already going from strength to strength.

🎧 Listen to this episode of Aboriginal Way on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or on our website https://www.nativetitlesa.org/kaurna-program-at-upper-sturt-primary-school/

17/03/2023

🎙 "There's nothing to lose and everything to gain from an Aboriginal Voice to Parliament, and we're looking forward as a South Australian Government to supporting the 'Yes' campaign in the lead up to the federal referendum later this year" - SA Attorney-General and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Kyam Maher speaking on Kaurna Land this morning.

He also announced a special sitting day in Parliament on Sunday, 26th March when the SA Voice to Parliament Bill is expected to pass, and South Australians are invited to a partially closed-off North Terrace via free public transport to celebrate the historic occasion.

Hear from Mr Maher alongside the Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney and the Federal Attorney-General Julian Leeser, who, alongside the Special Envoy for Reconciliation and the Implementation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart Pat Dodson and the Voice to Parliament Referendum Working Group, have been meeting over the last two days to discuss progress towards a First Nations Voice to Parliament.

🎧 Listen to this episode of Aboriginal Way on our website, or wherever you get your podcasts nativetitlesa.org/voice-to-parliament-referendum-working-party-meet-on-kaurna-land/

14/03/2023

09/03/2023

Closing the Gap Day 2023 is the biggest South Australian event dedicated to improving the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The annual event from Sonder and Nunkuwarrin Yunti will be held on Kaurna Land at the Adelaide Showgrounds next Thursday, 16th March.

🎧 Listen to the latest episode of Aboriginal Way with Njirrah Rowe, Team Leader of Sonder's Closing the Gap Integrated Team Care Program, who tells us all about it www.nativetitlesa.org/closing-the-gap-day/

*Organisations can still register to hold a stall on the day, just email [email protected]. More info about the day at closingthegapday.net/

28/02/2023

📰 Did you know you can now pick up the latest edition of Aboriginal Way at your local library?

Thanks to Libraries SA, free copies of our newspaper will now be available in the foyers of 50 libraries right across South Australia! 📚

📰 Issue 89 of Aboriginal Way is now out. Have you got your copy? In our summer 2023 edition you’ll find these stories and more:

🔸 National Voice to Parliament update
🔸 Wirangu No.2, Part A Native Title Consent Determination
🔸 Hydrogen and renewable energy on Aboriginal land
🔸 Narungga ancestors returned to Country
🔸 Dr Jared Thomas's Churchill Fellowship

💻 Read online: nativetitlesa.org/aboriginal-way-newspaper/
🔔 Subscribe in print or online: nativetitlesa.org/about-aboriginal-way/

24/02/2023

Legendary Wiradjuri tracker Alec Riley was the first Indigenous police sergeant on the New South Wales Police Force, where he served for 40 years from 1911.

In parallel to that now, many years later, his Great-Great nephew Daniel Riley has been named the first Indigenous director of an Australian dance company, in his new role as Artistic Director of Australian Dance Theatre.

In one of his first works in this role, Tracker, Daniel explores the path his Great-Great Uncle forged between the enforced colonial system of the time and his own Wiradjuri lore.

🎙 Listen to our interview with Daniel here nativetitlesa.org/tracker/

Australian Dance Theatre offers First Nations community members FREE tickets to a special preview performance of Tracker on Friday 10 March 3:00 pm at The Odeon Theatre. Find out more about Tracker, part of the Adelaide Festival here https://www.adt.org.au/season2023-tracker

Image: Daniel Riley by Jonathan VDK, courtesy of ADT

16/02/2023

Last week in Elliston, the Wirangu and Nauo peoples celebrated the Federal Court's recognition of their shared native title rights and interests on the western Eyre Peninsula – ending a 25-year fight for native title recognition.

Justice O'Bryan formally handed the groups an overlapping Consent Determination for their native title claims, including Wirangu No.2 Part B, No.3 Part B, Sea Claim No.2 Part B, and Nauo No.3.

Listen to remarks made at the proceedings from Justice O'Bryan, Barrister Susan Phillips, Wirangu Elder Jack Johncock, and Nauo Elder Jody Miller: anchor.fm/aboriginal-way

07/02/2023

📰 Issue 89 of Aboriginal Way is now out. Have you got your copy? In our summer 2023 edition you’ll find these stories and more:

🔸 National Voice to Parliament update
🔸 Wirangu No.2, Part A Native Title Consent Determination
🔸 Hydrogen and renewable energy on Aboriginal land
🔸 Narungga ancestors returned to Country
🔸 Dr Jared Thomas's Churchill Fellowship

💻 Read online: nativetitlesa.org/aboriginal-way-newspaper/
🔔 Subscribe in print or online: nativetitlesa.org/about-aboriginal-way/

20/12/2022

Dr Jared Thomas, a Nukunu man from the Southern Flinders Ranges is a Research Fellow for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Material Culture and Arts at the South Australian Museum and UniSA. He is also a curator, arts administrator, international award-winning author and all-around change maker.

Dr Thomas received a Churchill Fellowship in 2019 for his subject matter “investigating colonised people’s interpretive strategies in permanent gallery displays in Aotearoa, Norway, Finland, Canada and the US”, and he recently returned from eight weeks traveling to these countries.

Aboriginal Way sat down with him recently to chat about his experiences.

🎧 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻, 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗯𝗲 & 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄: anchor.fm/aboriginal-way

13/12/2022

25 years after registering their claim, the Wirangu people have been officially recognised as the Native Title holders of their Country on the Eyre Peninsula.

Aboriginal Way was there as the Consent Determination was handed down by the Federal Court at the Foreshore of Streaky Bay last Thursday, 8th December, to bring you this special episode.

Hear from Wirangu Elders, Wirangu Chairperson Keenan Smith, the Attorney-General Kyam Maher, and Wirangu's Legal Counsel Susan Phillips, who explained the background and just what this outcome means for the Wirangu people.

🎧 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻, 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗯𝗲 & 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄: anchor.fm/aboriginal-way

28/11/2022

A draft bill proposing a model for the First Nations Voice to South Australia’s Parliament was recently released, following a statewide engagement process with First Nations people, leaders and communities from August to October this year. If this legislation gets up, this could become the first state-based Voice to Parliament in the country.

Aboriginal Way recently spoke about the draft bill with South Australia’s Commissioner for First Nations Voice, Dale Agius, who has commenced his second tour of engagement around the state.

🎧 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻, 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗯𝗲 & 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄: anchor.fm/aboriginal-way

Find out more about how you can have your say via the links here -nativetitlesa.org/sa-voice-to-parliament/

25/11/2022

📰 Issue 88 of Aboriginal Way is out now! Have you got your copy? In our spring edition for 2022, you’ll find these stories and more:

- Decoy ducks return home to the Riverland after decades in the US
- Implementing the Uluru Statement from the Heart: Voice, Treaty, Truth
- In Focus: Yandruwandha Yawarrawarrka
- Historic parks co-management agreement

💻 Read online: nativetitlesa.org/aboriginal-way-editions/
🔔 Subscribe in print or online: nativetitlesa.org/about-aboriginal-way/