Narungga burns bright on Country
Narungga
Native Title recognition for the Nauo people
On September 23, the Nauo people’s final native title application, Nauo #2, concluded with the Federal Court of Australia recognising their native title rights and interests.
Justice O’Bryan handed down his decision, which recognises the Nauo people as having native title rights over the southern tip of the Eyre Peninsula.
“We have lost some people along the way, but I just hope that we’ve given them justice and they can now finally rest, knowing that we’ve got the last piece of native title determined.”
This application was submitted in June 2016, but Nauo people have been pursuing native title recognition over the area since 1997, with support from the Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement (ALRM) and later from South Australian Native Title Services (SANTS).
The claim area encompasses 535 square kilometres of land and waters at the southern tip of the Eyre Peninsula including Lincoln National Park, the Memory Cove Wilderness Protection Area, Sleaford, Fishery Bay and Whalers Way.
In his ruling Justice O’Bryan stated: “As evidenced by statements from members of the claim group, the claimants, their families and ancestors have maintained a strong connection to the claim area since colonisation,
successfully overcoming the forced removal of many Nauo people to Point Pearce in the early 1900s through their determined return to their traditional lands.”
As their final native title determination was not delivered on country, Mr Miller said the Nauo people wanted to come together in celebration of the outcome as the year draws to a close.
“As the weather warms up, maybe Coffin Bay will be the place to be and we’ll celebrate all three native title determinations there at once.”
Mr Miller described how native title gives Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people the ability to protect sites of importance on their country.
“I’ve seen country desecrated and ripped up for other people’s gain – developers, government, mining– you name it. Having native title gives us a seat at the table from the beginning. It’s about us determining our own future now. We’re not having the crumbs anymore; we’re having the cake,” Mr Miller said.
“Having government departments or private industry that want to develop our country – native title puts us Nauo
Claim group meeting 1999.
Nauo community members celebrating Nauo #1 determination at Coffin Bay 2023.
TO BE FINALLY RECOGNISED FOR COUNTRY THAT’S BEEN OURS SINCE MILLENNIA, AND TO BE RECOGNISED BY A WESTMINSTER SYSTEM; TO BE TOLD THAT YES, THIS IS YOUR COUNTRY - IT’S QUITE SPECIAL,” - NAUO CO-CHAIR MICHAEL MILLER
people first and foremost in these discussions. It allows us to protect sites of importance for our future generations to teach our kids for many, many years to come that this is our country, these are our stories that belong to this country. That is really important.”
Aboriginal Way
Editor: Keith Thomas Journalists: Joy Lothian, Isaac Selby
Communications Officer: Caleb Sweeting
Design and Printing: We Create Print Deliver
Advertising Enquiries: aboriginalway@nativetitlesa.org
Aboriginal Way is a publication of South Australian Native Title Services
Level 6
27 Currie St Adelaide SA 5000 www.nativetitlesa.org
Ph: (08) 8110 2800
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If you have any stories of interest to our readers, please address correspondence to: aboriginalway@nativetitlesa.org
The Editor has the final decision on all stories and advertising that appear in this publication.
Cover image: Narungga man Peter Turner burning scrub around a large tree.
WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are warned that the following publication may contain images, names, and stories of deceased persons.
Applicants and family Jody Miller, Pauline Branson, Rosemary Weetra, Cynthia Weetra-Buzza , Brenton Weetra at Fishery Bay.
Letter from the Editor
Recently the Nauo people were recognised by the Federal Court of Australia as being native title holders over the southern tip of the Eyre Peninsula, which you can read more about in this edition of Aboriginal Way. The Nauo people have been pursuing their native title rights and interests since the late 90s. It’s been such a long process to get to this point, as it so often is, but SANTS has been there to support and guide them to this outcome from the beginning.
Whilst legal support for native title applications like Nauo’s is our bread and butter, did you know that SANTS is involved in lot of other important work for Aboriginal groups, even post-native title?
As the native title service provider for South Australia, we are primarily funded by the National Indigenous Australians Agency to deliver a range of services to Aboriginal groups before, during and after their native title determination.
As South Australian land is now at around 70% determined, we are looking to the future. Planning for SANTS’ next five-year strategic plan is underway, which will set the tone for the work we’ll be focusing on from 2025 to 2030, which will involve more and more post-native title work, something we’re already doing a lot of.
Our team is dedicated to promoting good governance to build self-determination and sustainability in Aboriginal groups by providing corporate governance training, developing economic and enterprise agreements and building stakeholder and partnership relationships.
We assist groups with their social and economic progress and meeting their native title governance requirements by helping to develop grant applications for on-Country projects, then provide ongoing support for these projects.
This can include the important preservation and sharing of stories, such as an upcoming truth-telling project to record video and audio memories from survivors of the nuclear weapons testing at Emu Field, expect a story about this in an upcoming edition.
SANTS’ finance and HR team provide invaluable guidance to corporations navigating the complexities of financial management and strategic investments for the future. We help with capacity building through policy and procurement development and implementation, employee recruitment and contracts.
Our administrative team helps make AGMs and group meetings possible, even in the most remote parts of the state where a lot of forward planning is required.
The communications team not only put out this quarterly magazine and interview Aboriginal people with stories to tell for the weekly radio show and podcast of the same name; they also provide communications support to Aboriginal groups that require it. This can take the form of website and social media development, newsletters, photography, branding and logos for developing corporations and other forms as needed.
If you’re interested in SANTS’ ongoing work, you might like to sign up to our monthly newsletter through the SANTS website. This way you can stay up to date with our developments as we embark on this new strategic chapter.
Keith Thomas SANTS CEO
Mayibarrdu / Goose Island returning to Narungga Nation
Mayibarrdu or Goose Island, off the West Coast of the Yorke Peninsula in the Spencer Gulf of South Australia, will return to the hands of its Traditional Owners, the Narungga Nation.
The island has been leased exclusively to Scotch College since 1966 through a licence agreement with the Department for Environment and Water that will finish up at the end of the year.
The small, rocky island located west of Point Pearce, about 550 metres off the northern end of Wardang Island, has been the site of the schools’ outdoor education camps.
Narungga Nation Aboriginal Corporation Chief Executive, Doug Milera said the board was thrilled the island was returning to the Narungga people, who plan to open it up for everyone to use and visit.
“We’re unlocking the island — we’re not going to lock it up — we’re opening it up for everyone to come and visit and be a part of understanding what Narungga’s connection is,” Mr Milera said.
Mr Milera said the Federal Court’s recognition in 2023 of the Narungga people as the native title holders of Yorke Peninsula had heralded a new era for Narungga and they were finally in a position to improve health, education, employment and business opportunities.
“We want to connect spiritually and run some cultural programs over there (on Mayibarrdu), but also for the ranger program to be involved with the conservation and protection of the island,” Mr Milera said.
“From an economic point of view, we will develop and package up cultural and ecotourism opportunities.”
Listen to Aboriginal Way’s podcast interview with Doug Milera: “Mayibarrdu Goose Island returns to Narungga Nation” on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Native title claims update
Active claims
Nauo No.2 - Determined 23 September, 2024.
Walka Wani Oodnadatta 1 and 2 and Arabana 2 – Special leave application to High Court by Arabana listed for hearing on November 6 and 7.
Far West Coast (FWC) Sea claim –Judgment still reserved.
First Peoples of the River Murray and Mallee No. 2 – Consent determination negotiations and subject to programming orders.
First Nations of the South East #2 and Ngarrindjeri Part B – Timetabled for consent determination in 2025.
First Nations of the South East #1 –Mediation and timetabled for consent determination.
Special leave application to High Court for Arabana listed for hearing on November 6 and 7.
FWC sea claim judgement still reserved.
Timetable for determination in 2024.
Narungga Nation Aboriginal Corporation Chief Executive Doug Milera.
Coding on Country
Pilot Indigenous coding program Indigi Code has been established for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students with the hope they will be able to gain future employment and have the ability to work remotely in the digital space.
Indigi Code, a partnership between programming education provider 42 Adelaide and the Aboriginal Biodiversity Conservation (ABC) Foundation had its first session at Nguta College in September, with 20 students participating in a week-long course designed for entry-level coders.
The free program offers a “gamified” peer-to-peer study experience, with students learning from other students through engagement-style learning.
ABC Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation established in WA, with its flagship program providing services to benefit on-Country education programs and 42 Adelaide is a nonprofit coding school.
Both organisations hope to expand from this initial pilot program with the scope to include other schools if the right interest and funding is found.
children want to get immersed in their communities and look after Country. We know from the digital world and through Covid that you can work remotely. For children to be innovative and explore other ways to communicate about their community and their culture, they could be designing apps and games that have an on-Country focus.
“We want to make sure the facilities can be delivered through these schools in places like the APY Lands. One of the reasons that we really liked the way the program was being delivered in Adelaide was this gamified curriculum approach, peer-to-peer learning which we’re very supportive of.”
OUR INTENT IS TO ENROL MORE AND MORE SCHOOLS SO WE CAN SEE THIS WONDERFUL WORLD OF IMMERSION ON COUNTRY, WHERE THE STUDENTS CAN LOOK AFTER COUNTRY WHILE GETTING INTO THE DIGITAL SPACE,”
- ALISON SENTANCE
ABC Foundation Executive Finance and Strategy Advisor, Alison Sentance, is excited to see how kids could utilise what they’d learned from the training program to look after Country.
“There has been a passion from our foundation that
During the week-long program, students were able to learn coding curriculum, design their own websites and get familiar using various tools such as widgets and other graphic interfaces.
ABC Foundation used its own funding for the first pilot, funding 20 students to take part in the program and is currently seeking ongoing support and donors to contribute to its future fund to allow more students to enrol.
Smiling faces at the coding workshop.
Ms Sentance noted the importance of being able to rely on 42 Adelaide’s pre-existing technology to provide support for students in the programming trial.
“There were two areas we looked at when rolling out this first pilot - should it sit within a school context or within a school-based traineeship or young adult context,” Ms Sentance said.
“We looked at the Geographic Information System (GIS) space, weather monitoring, collection of data, learning and sharing knowledge about what you’re looking after on Country as key focus areas.
“While our flagship is environmentally focused and on-Country education is at our core, we work across the community and build capacity so that together we can stretch our reach and really support the visions of remote and regional Aboriginal communities.
Ngutu College Head of Senior Campus, Lousie Mather, participated in the pilot program and witnessed the participating student’s growth first-hand.
“Ngutu College educators and learners were unsure how the 42 Adelaide experience would go – it is fair to say we were all nervous!” Ms Mather said.
“At the end of day two, learners shared their positive experiences and success and were starting to plan their final web designs to share on the final day. The focus required was demanding but the adult learning environment encouraged learners to take breaks, have a game of chess,
play with the Lego or virtual reality games.
“After the first morning, learners were already sharing ideas and solving problems. The structure of the activities encourages peer-topeer collaboration; ‘look to your right – your left or ’across the room’ and ask for help. We all benefited by learning from each other.”
42 Adelaide Operations Manager, Melinda Ho, is hopeful the program can expand to more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students across South Australia and into the Northern Territory.
“We want to encourage them to use the skills and knowledge they gain and build a website at the same time we encourage them to work collaboratively in storytelling,” Ms Ho said.
“What would they be doing if they were learning to navigate a terminal, HTML, or JavaScript at their own pace with their peers.
“They can hold the website on a cloud-based platform or save it on the cloud drive and they can showcase it to their prospective employers.”
To ensure more students can be supported by this program across Australia, ABC Foundation is eager to receive donations or funding support through its Future Fund, to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander high school children can participate in this program.
More information can be found at www.abcau.com.au/future-fund/
Listen to this episode of Aboriginal Way “Indigi Code” on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
42 Adelaide and ABC Foundation hope to expand the free coding program in future.
42 Adelaide utilise peer to peer education methods.
Flow-on effects for water management program
The Australian Federal Government is renewing the National Water Initiative (NWI) and has established the Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Water Interests (CAWI) to advise on water programs, policies and initiatives relevant to First Nations peoples across the country.
The existing NWI set out a more efficient and sustainable approach to water management in Australia in 2004, but a lot has changed in 20 years.
Recommendations from the Productivity Commission’s two inquiries found that a renewed NWI should focus on increasing Indigenous Australians’ involvement and influence in water resource management. It will elevate these interests specifically in cultural, spiritual, social, economic and environmental areas.
A new agreement would increase First Nations people’s influence in water resource management, better reflect climate change, ensure access to safe and secure drinking water and take a strategic approach to groundwater management.
The CAWI has been formed by people with an expertise in water management from across the country, who bring a wealth of experience and extensive networks with them. They were selected for their understanding of the importance of water in a cultural context, their knowledge of water policy, planning, management and water markets, and their ability to engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Since its establishment in July, the CAWI have put
together an insights paper and timeline to show the history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ interests, advocacy and reform in water management. This will support a shared understanding about these interests and values to ensure they are incorporated into the NWI.
The NWI plan provides a framework and principles for managing our water sustainability, aiming to make Australia’s water usage more efficient, provide investment confidence and certainty for the environment and improve water security for rural and urban communities.
Each state and territory committed to prepare water plans with provisions for the environment; achieve sustainable water use in over-allocated or stressed water systems; introduce registers of water rights and standards for water accounting; expanding trade in water rights; improve pricing for water storage and delivery, and better management of urban water demands.
Find out more and provide feedback on the National Water Initiative at www.dcceew.gov.au/water/policy/ policy and find out more about the Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Water Interests at www.dcceew.gov.au/water/policy/first-nations/cawi
A new peak body for Aboriginal kids in SA
Ashum Owen is the recently appointed inaugural Chief Executive of Wakwakurna Kanyini, the new peak body for South Australian Aboriginal children and young people in SA.
The state government invested $3.2 million into the organisation, which commenced operations in September.
“This new peak will play a crucial role in representing community-led priorities to the South Australian government to ensure our children grow strong in culture and in their identity and connection to their families,” the Chief Executive of SNAICC, the National Voice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children Catherine Liddle, said.
Ms Owen agreed.
“This peak body was established to work on the sector to better address the needs of Aboriginal children and families,” she said.
A proud Kaurna, Narungga and Ngarrindjeri woman, Ms Owen formerly practised as a solicitor in the Northern Territory, working with Indigenous families in child protection, domestic violence, family violence, and family law.
Before taking on this appointment, she worked in the office of the Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People, providing policy analysis to assist in upholding the rights of Aboriginal children and families. In this role she was heavily involved in the inquiry into the removal and placement of Aboriginal children in out-of-home care, which resulted in the Holding on to Our Future report.
“I think the work I undertook with the Commissioner’s office really prepared me to take on this position. I’m grateful for the Commissioner’s support and mentorship in helping me feel confident enough to take on such an integral role in our community,” Ms Owen said.
“I want to look at empowering our ACCO’s [Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations] who face challenges within the sector - how can this peak body amplify their voices and work to understand and overcome their challenges?”
Hearing directly from Aboriginal families by touring communities across regional SA is one of the first things Ms Owen plans to do in her new position. She’ll also look to build memberships amongst both Indigenous businesses and individuals who align with the purposes of the peak to ensure community members are a key part of its governance.
“I also see a role with community empowerment, helping our families and young people understand their rights,” she said.
“I think there’s a gap in the system there, where we know that there’s a lot of distrust with DCP however,
more often than not, families are not empowered with the knowledge of where to access assistance, especially before DCP comes knocking.
“The Commissioner’s report really highlighted that even when Aboriginal families are seeking help, before DCP are involved, it leads to a removal response.”
In October, the “Children and Young People (Safety and Support) Bill 2024” was introduced into parliament, representing efforts by the Malinauskas Government to transform and build capacity in the child protection and family support system.
Listen to our interview with Ashum Owen in this episode of Aboriginal Way “A New Peak Body for Aboriginal Kids” on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
WHAT WE WANT IS FOR ABORIGINAL FAMILIES TO BE SUPPORTED TO RECEIVE THAT WRAP AROUND- HOLISTIC, CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE SUPPORT IN PREVENTION AND KEEPING CHILDREN TOGETHER SAFE AND WELL- KEEPING THAT FAMILY TOGETHER.” - ASHUM OWEN
Chief Executive of Wakwakurna Kanyini.
Main Story
bright on Country Narungga
Narungga Nation have continued their efforts to restore traditional land management processes, holding inclusive workshops for Yorke Peninsula locals who are eager to explore the benefits of burning on Country.
On September 30 and October 1, workshops were held at Ardrossan and Minlagawi Gum Flat, with Narungga fire practitioners demonstrating controlled burns on-site.
The Cultural Burns Education Project has seen the delivery of workshops and the production of short films to be used on social media and websites, to increase understanding around how native vegetation responds to fire, how it can be managed to reduce fire risk, why it is an important cultural practice, and how caring for Country by Narungga people leads to healthy people and environment.
Narungga Elder Rex Angie was present during Narungga burns over the past years and was excited to see their land management practices in the spotlight.
IT’S BEEN REALLY GOOD IN THE LAST TWO OR THREE YEARS; JUST THE SIGNIFICANCE OF CULTURAL BURNS WE’RE HOLDING THAT WE NEED TO LOOK AFTER AND BRING BACK HEALTH TO COUNTRY,” - REX ANGIE
“We’re trying to protect our special trees that we use for medicine or bush tucker. It’s just like going to Woolies or Coles but you don’t need to buy your food. All of ours is on Country; not just on the Yorke Peninsula but around Australia.”
Mr Angie highlighted the importance of conducting burns during the right window of time, with conditions such as wind, rainfall, temperature and more environmental factors influencing the decision on when to apply fire practices to the scrubland.
“There’s layers of laws on cultural burns, so we’ve got to do a collaboration with the local government, the local farmers and just in general, we’ve got to abide by laws and protocols,” he said.
“When I was a young boy living on Point Pearce Aboriginal Mission we used to go down to the scrubland
and just hunt and gather and make certain fires for catching food, catching kangaroos or whatever - we’d have to make a strategy to catch the food.”
Mr Angie put out the call to people looking at the possibility of using traditional land management practices on their own properties or businesses.
“If you’re not happy with looking at the landscape and it looks like it needs burning, just go through your local council or the local farmers and go have a look and ask questions,” Mr Angie said.
“See if we can come and do some cultural burns on your place, we know how to do burns and we’d love to come and help you.
“We just keep burning. We have to look after Country because we’ve all got to live on it together in reconciliation.”
The past years have seen burns conducted across South Australia on several sites including land belonging to Nukunu, Kaurna and Ngadjuri peoples.
Many attendees were experiencing cultural burns for the first time.
Similar cultural burns have been conducted throughout the Yorke Peninsula in recent years, with funding from the Australian Government’s Preparing Australian
The Yorke Peninsula Council played an integral role in facilitating these burns and provided the following statement:
“With the blessing of Narungga Nation Aboriginal Corporation, Yorke Peninsula Council initiated the Cultural Burns Education Project,” the statement read.
“Council saw its role in building the awareness of the community about the importance of Narungga cultural burns, whilst also supporting the capacity-building of
The project has been delivered by a steering committee with representatives from Narungga Nation Aboriginal Corporation, Point Pearce Aboriginal Corporation/ Indigenous Protected Areas Rangers, Nharangga Aboriginal Progress Association, Nharangga Aboriginal Cultural Tours, Northern and Yorke Landscape Board, Firesticks, and Narungga community members.
Listen to this episode of Aboriginal Way “Narungga Burns” on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
In memory of APY Lands artist Tiger Yaltangki
Indulkana artist Kunmanara (Tiger) Yaltangki (1973 –2024) has passed leaving behind a celebrated collection of eclectic artwork from his illustrious career.
He would often paint himself into portraits alongside band members from his favourite musical outfits, notably repurposing old second-hand AC/DC posters by painting over the top of them.
Mr Yaltangki had several of his pieces featured during the 2023 Tarnanthi Art Fair at the Art Gallery of South Australia and was the cover artist for the Spring 2023 edition of Aboriginal Way.
A highly admired painter, Yaltangki’s works are held in public and private collections including the Art Gallery of South Australia (AGSA), the Art Gallery of New South Wales, the Parliament House Art Collection, and the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory.
Mr Yaltangki created much of his work at Iwantja Arts, located in the APY community of Indulkana, with the renowned art studio releasing the following statement after his passing:
“Our hearts are heavy at Iwantja Arts, as we share the sad news of the passing of Kunmanara (Tiger) Yaltangki,” the statement read.
“Mr Yaltangki was a truly one-of-a-kind artist, his wildly colourful and energetic paintings were in contrast to his quiet, kind, and gentle presence at Iwantja Arts.
“He will be greatly missed and leaves behind an amazing artistic legacy – although he was largely non-verbal, his art spoke volumes and offered us a glimpse into his unique visual universe. Rock in peace, malpa wiru.”
Yaltangki’s exploration of both Anangu and popular mythologies developed into a unique visual language that has sparked both critical and commercial interest nationally and abroad.
He was also named as a finalist in the 2023 Archibald Prize presented by the Art Gallery of New South Wales in Sydney.
In 2024 Yaltangki was represented by Alcaston Gallery at Melbourne Art Fair 2024, and he was named as a finalist in the prestigious Wynne Prize presented by the Art Gallery of New South Wales for the first time in his career.
The fires produced a low heat, designed to encourage plant rejuvenation.
Narungga Elder Rex Angie with a representative from Green Adelaide.
One of Mr Yaltangki’s tributes to his much beloved ACDC.
UNDRIP
There is currently a petition calling for the Australian Government to take action to implement UNDRIP.
What is UNDRIP?
The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) is the most comprehensive international instrument on the rights of Indigenous peoples. Adopted by many countries in 2007, it sets out the minimum standards for the recognition, protection and promotion of First Nations peoples around the world. Its purpose is to provide a standard and accepted strong framework to advocate for Indigenous survival, dignity, rights and wellbeing.
As the first UN resolution drafted in part by its rightsholders themselves, UNDRIP was created after more than 20 years of negotiations between First Nations peoples and governments worldwide. It was voted in favour of by the majority of 143 states.
After being one of four countries to initially vote against it (alongside the USA, Canada and Aotearoa/New Zealand), Australia endorsed UNDRIP two years later in 2009. The other three countries have also now endorsed the Declaration. Yet still no aspect of it has been implemented into Australian law.
Though UNDRIP is not legally binding unless legislated into a nation’s domestic law, the United Nations says that does not dismiss or diminish its importance and shouldn’t be a reason to overlook the impact it can and does have across domestic legal systems.
Prominent constitutional lawyer and Cobble Cobble woman Professor Megan Davies said: “The dismissal of the UNDRIP as mere soft law denies the way in which the Declaration is already having an impact throughout the world.”
An inquiry into the application of UNDRIP in Australia was led by Senator Pat Dodson last year, and in late 2023, the Joint Standing Committee made six crucial recommendations, including the design and implementation of a national plan to progress the Declaration.
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
To find out more and sign the Petition, scan this QR code or go to antar.org.au/ issues/undrip/petition/
The Petition:
“I call on the Australian Government to take immediate and decisive action to implement the UNDRIP Inquiry recommendations. As Senator Dodson states, “the application of UNDRIP offers a blueprint for a renewed relationship between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the Australian nation”. The government’s failure to accept and implement these recommendations is a missed opportunity to honour the inherent rights of First Nations peoples.
“Now is the time for the Australian Government to transform its engagement with First Nations Peoples, honouring sovereignty and self-determination.”
Do you think following the principles of UNDRIP is best practice for engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities? Why will or won’t you be signing the petition?
Email your experiences or thoughts to aboriginalway@ nativetitlesa.org to potentially be featured in a future edition of Aboriginal Way.
United Nations
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Australia voted “no” ... now what?
Always Was Always Will Be: The Campaign for Justice and Recognition ContinuesA new book by Thomas Mayo.
On the October 14 2023, Australia voted no in the referendum for an Indigenous Voice to Parliament. It was a day of overwhelming disappointment for many Australians, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.
A year later, many Australians, particularly the 60,000 volunteers who had been tirelessly volunteering their time and energy in campaigning for the “Yes” vote for months or years previously, are looking for a way to move forward from this.
One of the leading voices in the Yes campaign was Thomas Mayo who continues to be one of the most respected Indigenous advocates in the country.
A Kaurareg Aboriginal and Kalkalgal Torres Strait islander man, Mr Mayo was a signatory to the Uluru Statement from the Heart in May 2017 (after helping develop it) and has been a leading campaigner for its proposals for both a Voice to Parliament and a Makarrata Commission. He’s had more than 20 years’ experience in advocacy and leadership.
Mr Mayo co-wrote The Voice to Parliament Handbook with journalist Kerry O’Brien last year, described as being a “handy tool for people inclined to vote yes”, that became a bestseller, despite the racial abuse and vitriol hurled publicly at Mr Mayo during the campaign. It went on to win Book of the Year, General Non-Fiction Book of the Year and Social Impact Book of the Year at the 2024 Australian Book
Industry Awards (ABIAs).
Following the clear guidance provided in the Handbook, the only tool of its kind available at the time, supporters and volunteers have continued looking to Mr Mayo for direction in moving forward.
His new book, Always Was, Always Will Be: The Campaign for Justice and Recognition Continues, is a response to this and aims to re-energise those across the nation feeling defeated by the outcome.
It delves deeper into the impact of the referendum outcome; examines history and asks readers to consider how moments in history connect with the present. It offers a call to action and suggestions that can build upon the work done by the thousands of volunteers during the campaign.
Mr Mayo’s aim is to keep up the positive momentum and give hope to not only the 40% of Australians who voted yes in the referendum, but also to grow and strengthen relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and non-indigenous allies.
If you have been feeling sad or powerless since October last year and want some guidance about what’s required to get to a place of justice and recognition for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, read Always Was, Always Will Be.
Listen to this episode of Aboriginal Way “Australia voted “no”... now what?” on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
SA Voice update with Douglas Clinch Jr
Earlier this year the SA Voice elections were held to elect the only state Voice commissioned in the country, after an unsuccessful campaign to enshrine a national Voice into the Australian constitution.
Voting for the SA Voice to Parliament took place on March 16 and gave Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders the opportunity to nominate themselves and vote for candidates to represent regions across South Australia.
Since then, successfully elected members have been working to develop relationships and agendas required to operate a successful representation of the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in South Australia.
After votes were tallied, elected members took part in a two-day induction, with Voice members from across the state introduced to key legislation and given the opportunity to begin building relationships with one another.
Following the induction, each region had their first formal meeting. At each meeting, those regions elected their presiding members, then those two members, one male and one female, move up to inform the state voice.
A formal meeting with the Department of Premier and Cabinet was also held, where conversations took place to determine how relationships would work with
parliamentarians, cabinet officials and chief executives from government departments.
Born and raised in the southern suburbs of Adelaide on Kaurna Country, Douglas Clinch Jnr has worked in the Aboriginal community sector for over 30 years, including in his current role as chair of Neporendi Aboriginal Forum Incorporated.
At time of interview, he was working as a project officer in the Attorney General’s department and credits his time working in the Yadli Paringa unit at the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) as influential towards his decision to nominate himself for the SA Voice.
Mr Clinch intends to focus on the ongoing fight to break the cycles of intergenerational issues through his involvement with the SA Voice to Parliament.
“Something I’ve noticed straight away is that we need our younger generation of Aboriginal people stepping into leadership. We need to continue to regenerate our leadership because the job’s far from done in terms of Closing the Gap.
“I THINK FROM AN ABORIGINAL PERSPECTIVE, PLAYING MY PART TO BREAK THE CYCLE - WHETHER IT’S POVERTY OR INTERGENERATIONAL DOMESTIC AND FAMILY VIOLENCE, POOR HEALTH…BEING CONSCIOUS OF THOSE THINGS THROUGH MY EXPERIENCES AND BEING ABLE TO EMBODY THAT FOR MY FAMILY IS IMPORTANT TO ME,”
- DOUGLAS CLINCH JR
“In the past it’s been a real fight to make sure that our rights as Aboriginal people are known and valued and respected in law, but I do feel like we’re moving into a time in our history where the way we work together can have a real impact. So we’re trying to make sure we have relationships with the people who are in power and make the decisions that have a broad impact on our community and we’re able to articulate to them what’s important to us.”
Mr Clinch Jr noted the importance of having people in positions of power understand what’s important to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people beyond an intellectual level, highlighting the value of being able to “feel” what matters and the ability to “put a face” to community.
For a long time during Mr Clinch’s stint working in health, he felt like Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were allowed to provide a service but were being asked to leave their culture at the door.
“If you’re not treating someone in a holistic way, which includes their culture, religion and broader family context; unless those things are considered in the way we work with one another, we’re never going to get to the place where we need to be,” Mr Clinch Jr said.
“Otherwise, when people don’t have a relationship with one another, we can just be another number on a page in terms of statistics.”
Mr Clinch highlighted a need for political systems to be flexible enough to incorporate principles that are important to Aboriginal people, such as shared history and the possession of cultural values.
“Having our community go to the polls and decide who they would like to represent their community is a powerful thing. To put your name forward wasn’t easy, I don’t think Aboriginal people like to big note themselves and promote themselves, but as part of the campaigning prior to the election those things were important,” he said.
With the inaugural state Voice still in its early stages, Mr Clinch Jr stressed that it would take time before things really started to gather momentum.
Within the legislation there’s provisions to make sure the state voice is meeting with the Department of Premier and Cabinet twice a year, and meeting with the chief executives of government departments twice a year.
“I look around at our state voice members and that’s a very young cohort; we have a mixture of Elders and older Aboriginal leaders within our regional voices, but they’ve seen fit to put our younger members up in terms of representing the Voice at the higher level,” Mr Clinch Jr said.
“That to me really is a sign that our Elders want to see our younger Aboriginal people step into their own leadership, which I think is significant, we’ve got lots of people who have been in that space for a long time and have done a great job, but it also is about bringing through new perspectives and new ways of thinking.
“I don’t think we feel like we’ve got traction yet around all the things we want to do but in terms of those building blocks we want to move forward in a way that Aboriginal community members feel comfortable with that meets the requirements of the legislation and expectations of the broader political landscape.
“The political system has such an impact on our lives that we do need to understand how that operates - how do we have an influence so that our people are being looked after and their needs are being met within this system that we’re working with.”
In memory of Shirley
Peisley AM
One of South Australia’s leaders in the 1967 referendum, much loved Ngarrindjeri and Boandik Elder Aunty Shirley Peisley AM passed away in August at 83 years of age.
Celebrated as a “giant of the movement” for reconciliation and Indigenous justice, Aunty Shirley dedicated much of her life to championing these rights for Aboriginal people.
At just 25, she emerged as a prominent figure during the 1967 referendum, campaigning for amendments to the Australian Constitution. Her efforts helped secure the formal recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Section 127 of the constitution and empowered the federal government to legislate for First Nations people in Section 51, both of which were successfully passed.
Aunty Shirley’s life was marked by numerous groundbreaking achievements:
In the 1960s, she served on the Council of Aboriginal Women of South Australia, later making history as the first Aboriginal female Probation and Truancy Officer in the 1970s.
In 2000 she was recognised with an Order of Australia Medal for services to the Aboriginal community across culture, heritage, legal services, health, welfare, library services, the church and reconciliation.
In 2002, she became the first Co-Chair of the City of Adelaide’s Reconciliation Committee and was the first Aboriginal person to have their portrait displayed in the council’s chambers last year.
Reconciliation SA expressed deep gratitude for Aunty Shirley’s impact. “A trailblazer for Aboriginal rights and reconciliation, she was instrumental in fostering understanding between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the wider community,” their statement read.
HER LEGACY CONTINUES TO INSPIRE FUTURE GENERATIONS IN THE PURSUIT OF RECONCILIATION, EQUALITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS. CURRENT AND FORMER BOARD MEMBERS AND STAFF OF RECONCILIATION SA FONDLY REMEMBER HER LEADERSHIP AND COMMITMENT.” - RECONCILIATION SA
Nukunu water release
On August 29, water was released from the Beetaloo Reservoir into Crystal Brook Creek to preserve ancient river red gums and assist Nukunu people to care for and connect to Country.
On August 29, the Nukunu people released water from the Beetaloo Reservoir into Crystal Brook Creek. This allowed them to help connect with and care for their Country and helped to preserve local ancient river red gums.
The water release follows trial water releases from the Baroota Reservoir in the weeks prior, and similar 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.
Millions of litres of water from the two releases flowed 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 members will monitor and record progress of the water flowing through the creeks to safeguard creekbed 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.
Nukunu Wapma Thura Aboriginal Corporation (NWTAC) Chair, Travis Thomas, was responsible for manually releasing the influx of water that filled the reservoiradjacent creek beds and spoke of the significance of kawi (water) to Nukunu peoples.
Mr Thomas specified several layers of significance around water access for the Nukunu people. He spoke to the historical nature of First Nations’ peoples being shut out of their cultural obligations surrounding water and highlighted the importance of their ability to come out with family to visit areas like those surrounding the Beetaloo reservoir.
“As Nukunu Thura we have a deep connection to the lore and the stories associated with those beings. We know through our stories that those beings interacted between taking the forms outside of the physical world and into the wapma which is our dreaming,” Mr Thomas said.
“Water is a key aspect of this. Our creation being can take the form of being the water in the sky, the water travelling over Country, the water travelling under and through country to help create it and shift its nature into its interactions with the Elders of the past - the ancient Nukunu.
“To have no agency or interaction of water through the more modern times is a critical element of dispossession that has affected Nukunu, as it has affected all other First Nations people.”
For Nukunu native title holders, retaining agency in the space of water has been a core focus, informing many decision-making processes.
“You can see the difference in vibrancy of life for species above or below physical barriers in those water systems. We want to work towards a balance of what’s required in the modern world by the entities that control it now and regaining that agency in attempts to restore, in whatever level we can, those more natural flows.
“We are living cultures. There’s often too much emphasis on the past - culture is where everything lies, and we are the ones now carrying out these obligations and
require assistance from agencies that control these spaces and influence policies.
“That’s the second level of influence where we’ve worked hard not just through NWTAC but through my involvement with First Nations of South Australia Aboriginal Corporation (FNSAAC) and SANTS, to try and drive policy changes and enable reflection at the design level of policy.”
FROM A NUKUNU PERSPECTIVE WATER SHOULDN’T BE OBSTRUCTED, SO ANYWHERE THERE’S A DAM OR AN OBSTRUCTION, WE FEEL THAT’S INHIBITING THE COURSE OF WHAT SHOULD BE TAKING PLACE IN THOSE AREAS,” - TRAVIS THOMAS
The Beetaloo and Baroota reservoirs, originally built to supply water to the townships of Crystal Brook, Port Pirie and surrounding areas, were taken offline in the early 90s and are now kept as an emergency supply for SA Water.
There is no specific requirement for SA Water to release the water, and they only do so for the environmental and cultural benefits.
It is more difficult to release water from reservoirs closer to metropolitan Adelaide as they’re still used for
Aerial view of Beetaloo water supply.
Involved members of the water release.
NWTAC Chair Travis Thomas preparing to release the valves.
TO DATE, THE KEY PRIORITY HAS BEEN TO CAPTURE THE WAY WATER IS ACCESSED AND USED WITH SOME DEGREE OF EQUITY AND SUSTAINABILITY IN ORDER TO DRIVE THAT.” - TRAVIS THOMAS
supplying water and therefore involve managing the risk to water supply versus managing risk to environmental and cultural outcomes.
Nukunu Elder, Laurie Thomas also attended the water releases and reflected on the decline of certain species in the area due to man-made dams.
He was optimistic about the potential benefit for the river red gums and the impact of the regeneration for wildlife, additionally mentioning farmers, who he said could use the water for their sheep.
Mr Thomas shared the view that the man-made dams were restrictive on water flowing through Nukunu country, commenting that the only water flow out to the sea in the area was from Mambray Creek, north of the Baroota Reservoir.
“When they let the water out of Baroota Dam I was out there watching and it was funny because a kangaroo
came hopping down the hill wanting to cross the creek,” Mr Thomas said.
“Being used to it being dry, he hit it full speed and was up above his waist deep, he did a couple of somersaults and splashed his way across the other side.
“It slowed him down immensely and was quite joyful to see.”
DEW Senior Ecologist, Dr Douglas Green, benefitted from combining his education and experience with that of the lived Nukunu experiences in the areas where the water releases occurred.
“It’s one thing as an ecologist to sit there and say ‘I’ve read the books, I’ve read the papers, I’ve got my university education - therefore this is what it should look like’,” Dr Green said.
“But to have the insight of people who have been here for hundreds of generations say, our stories tell us that when the Elders would hunt…this is what they were hunting for.
“I sit there and go that’s different to my conceptual understanding, but there’s no reason why that’d be wrong, and if you’re based on actual evidence whereas I’m based on what I’ve read in a book, then you’re probably right.
“So it really helps with my understanding to think about how we can integrate environmental and cultural outcomes so that we’re all tilting at the same windmill.”
SA Water and DEW use scour valves which are pipes placed in the low levels of the reservoir that run downstream, with taps on them which can be opened and closed, with the water release letting water out at around 100-200 litres a second in efforts to push water as far downstream as possible.
Northern and Yorke Landscape Board Planning Officer, Jennifer Munro, was one of the key organisers of the water releases and spent time monitoring progress in the aftermath, noting that the flows had reached Beetaloo Valley and travelled under the Wilkins Highway on its way to Bowman Park outside the Crystal Brook township.
Ms Munro has worked for over a decade as a water officer for NYLB working in engagement matters with community members concerned about the health of river red gums declining in the area.
“It’s a more multi-pillared plan rather than just a consumptive use-focused plan that they were more traditionally,” Ms Munro said.
“For the first time, those plans are now having a First Nations water perspective incorporated into them alongside an environmental water perspective.”
Listen to this episode of Aboriginal Way “Nukunu water release” on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Reservoir Dam at Beetalo. Welcome to Country conducted by Travis Thomas.
Peramangk Aboriginal Corporation
The Peramangk Aboriginal Corporation has recently been established to represent the Peramangk community and engage with key stakeholders on their land and waters.
“PAC was formed in August 2024 to enable the Peramangk People to come together and to make decisions as a collective for the benefit of the Peramangk Nation,” said Rita Lindsay, Vice-Chairperson of PAC.
“The PAC is the official representative body of the Peramangk Nation. The PAC provides an opportunity for the voices of the Peramangk People, the Traditional Owners of the Adelaide Hills and Eastern Mount Lofty Ranges, to be heard, acknowledged and recognised.”
Government departments and other stakeholders can now engage directly with PAC in open and transparent conversations to establish positive and productive partnerships.
“The PAC represents and attends to the rights and interests of the Peramangk Nation, including but not limited to protecting Peramangk culture, country, people, heritage and sites of cultural and spiritual significance. The PAC also aims to provide, improve and increase educational, environmental, social, economic and cultural benefits for the Peramangk People,” said Ms Lindsay.
The legal team at SA Native Title Services has worked with the Traditional Owners this year to prepare a native title determination application, which they hope to file next year.
Aboriginal Child and Youth Worker
Residential Care – Pool
We are committed to increasing Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander participation in our workforce because we need you to help us make a positive difference to the lives of Aboriginal children and young people in our care.
Young Aboriginal people are over-represented in the child protection system and it’s vital we keep them connected to family, culture, and country.
That’s where you come in!
We will cover the cost for you to study at TAFE to earn a nationally recognised qualification, the Certificate IV in Child, Youth and Family Intervention., We will also provide you with on-the-job training to help you become a Child & Youth Worker.
As a Child & Youth Worker, you will ensure children and young people in our care (including non-Aboriginal young people):
• have access to education
• participate in social, sporting, and cultural activities
• improve their social and living skills
• participate in reunification/reconnection with their families, family-based care providers, or other suitable care options.
In return, you will:
• receive a competitive salary, ($67,589-$72,033) plus superannuation and relevant shift penalties•
• accrue up to 5 weeks’ annual leave p.a.
• be allocated a mentor and undertake shadow shifts to build your confidence and develop your skills
• be paid to complete the nationally accredited TAFE qualification
• have access to the TAFE Aboriginal Access Centre to support you during your studies
• gain membership to the Department’s State Wide Aboriginal Training (SWAT)
• receive ongoing learning and development.
If you’re passionate about supporting Aboriginal and other children and young people in care, find out more about the role and apply online at bit.ly/DCP-Careers-Portal
Enquiries: DCPRecruitment@sa.gov.au
For the purpose of this advertisement, the term Aboriginal is used to refer to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within South Australia. This is not intended to exclude Torres Strait Islander people, or people who identify as being of both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent.
The inaugural Board of Peramangk Aboriginal Corporation pictured on their Country at UKARIA Cultural Centre, Mount Barker.
Fans flock to Port Lincoln
The October long weekend saw thousands of spectators and participants flock to Port Lincoln for the annual South Australian Aboriginal Football and Netball Carnival (SAAFNC).
Spectators were treated to football royalty with Geelong premiership star Tyson Stengle given permission to represent Koonibba for the tournament, setting up an eyewatering final showdown with his mentor Eddie Betts (Port Lincoln/Mallee Park).
The SAAFNC event attracts plenty of committed participants with approximately 5000 people in attendance, with some travelling hundreds of kilometres from communities such as Raukkan and Coober Pedy.
The carnival features teams from Indigenous communities across South Australia and has been held annually since 1968.
Port Lincoln/Mallee Park ended up with the win (73-42) in a dominant display at Ravendale Oval, with punters
treated to the special bag of tricks from Betts and Stengle.
Eddie Betts spoke to the ABC about his excitement competing in the competition, with decades between games for the AFL legend.
“I was only 15 the last time, I was playing with today’s coach Harry [Miller] and we won that grand final actually,” Mr Betts said.
“Most of my family were at that last game against Koonibba. It’s basically one big family playing against each other.”
Div. 2 saw a competitive tussle play out between eventual champions Far North Flinders (FNF) (53) and Raukkan FC (29); the first carnival flag won for FNF.
Following the game coach David Sumner offered the following summary to the Far North Flinders team online.
“IT’S WHAT BRINGS COMMUNITIES TOGETHER, FOOTBALL AND NETBALL AND SPORT IS THAT DRIVER. WE LOVE IT.
“I’d like to personally thank all that were involved with the success of the undefeated FNF Football Team campaign- it was an all-round team effort and honour that I’ll always cherish,” Mr Sumner said.
“Every one of you should be proud as you all played a big part in what is the first flag for Far Northern Flinders.
Port Lincoln netball clash.
Mallee Park take home the win.
You all showed cased exceptional skill, drive, commitment, courage, and determination. And I thank you for that.”
Over on the courts Kaurna were too strong for the hometown heroes, slowing the hometown party with a 54-39 victory over Port Lincoln/Mallee Park.
The B-grade competition saw an even closer finish with Port Augusta claiming victory over Narungga by just seven points (50-43).
Port Lincoln Host Committee Chairperson, Becky Miller, posted the following statement on behalf of the South Australian Football and Netball Sports Carnival after the event.
“A big shout-out to the Football and Netball delegates for your commitment and guidance,
helping to make this carnival a memorable celebration of sport and community,” Ms Miller said.
“To the players, coaches, and support staff, thank you for your dedication and sportsmanship throughout the event.
“And of course, to all the spectators who travelled from across the state, your passion and support made the atmosphere unforgettable.”
Betts takes the field for his old side Mallee Park. Reproduced by permission of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation [Emma Pedler] © 2024 ABC.
Eventual Division 2 winners Port Augusta wrestle with Narungga. Reproduced by permission of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation [Emma Pedler] © 2024 ABC.
Koonibba take centre court.
Permission
