Aboriginal Way

First Nations groups from sea country areas across South Australia recently came together at a forum to discuss Aboriginal engagement in Commonwealth marine parks.The forum, led by Parks Australia with support from SA Native Title Services, marked the first time all coastal First Nations groups in the state came together with both state and Commonwealth government representatives to discuss marine park management. The workshop was an important first step in resetting Aboriginal engagement in marine parks with further dialogue and actions in the pipeline for 2026.You'll hear from representatives from: Parks AustraliaKaurna Yerta Aboriginal CorporationFar West Coast Aboriginal Corporation Nukunu Wapma Thura Aboriginal Corporation All interviewed in the last episode of Aboriginal Way for 2025.

The Department for Environment and Water, in collaboration with SANTS, recently held a two-day co-design workshop in Port Augusta to help finalise the South Australian Framework to Advance First Nations’ Water Interests.The workshop was held over two days at the Standpipe Golf Motor Inn, where participants came together to continue shaping the draft framework. Building on earlier engagement rounds held in February - April 2025 and July - August 2025, the workshop brought together First Nations representatives and stakeholders to refine the draft framework.During the workshop we interviewed Far West Coast Traditional Lands Association chair and Wirangu board member Jack Johncock, who spoke about long-standing losses of water rights and the need for meaningful change. We also spoke with Wangkangurru Elder Raylene Crombie, who reflected on the damage to spiritual water places near Birdsville, and Deborah Naylan who emphasised water sovereignty, cultural authority, and protecting storylines for future generations.

Wirangu and Nauo Aboriginal Corporation (WNAC) and Firesticks Alliance conducted a week-long series of burns at a former farming station at Talia on the Eyre Peninsula.The project site is the locale of Talia Station, a 2,000 hectare property on the western side of the Eyre Peninsula, a site left decimated by sheep grazing since Wirangu and Nauo peoples were displaced in the 1850s.Early in the project Land Life and project partner Cassinia Environmental engaged WNAC to identify best practices for getting Traditional Owners back on Country and assisting in the rejuvenation of the areas adversely affected by this grazing and land degradation. On the week of the burns, Matthew Johncock commenced his new role as a Wirangu and Nauo ranger, providing the perfect opportunity to hit the ground running and utilise the revitalised practice of cultural burning.AW spoke to Mr Johncock and Nauo director Jodi Miller about the cultural burns and the resulting benefits for their Country and community .

Nauo Fest – a celebration of Nauo community, culture and native title – was held at Coffin Bay on Saturday, 15 November 2025. Nauo people and the wider community danced the night away during incredible performances from Electric Fields, the Warren Milera Band and Tony Minnecon, with Elaine Crombie MC.Proudly presented by Nauo Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC and supported by SA Native Title Services and Open Eyre Events, this free festival was an opportunity to celebrate the Nauo people’s 28-year fight for native title recognition on the Lower Eyre Peninsula. Listen to Aboriginal Way’s latest podcast episode straight from the festival to find out more about Nauo's journey to reach native title acknowledgement and the future of Nauo Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC.

On Friday 24 October, First Nations of the South East (FNSE) and Ngarrindjeri peoples came together at 42 Mile Crossing in Coorong National Park - where the Federal Court of Australia formally recognised both groups as native title holders over a shared area in South Australia’s south-east.This important determination covers land from the southern tip of the Coorong National Park, stretching east towards Gum Lagoon Conservation Park, and includes the culturally significant site of Sandy’s Hut, a place deeply connected to generations of families and Ancestors.Both groups paid tribute to Elders past, whose resilience and leadership made this recognition possible - a testament to their enduring connection to Country, culture, and community.AW spoke with three members of First Nations of South East - Aunty Penny Bonney, Cheryl Saunders and Andrew Birtwhistle-Smith following the consent determination.

On Tuesday 21 October, the Kaurna community came together (along with friends and allies), for the fourth and final reburial ceremony of their Ancestors at Wangayarta.The southern mound, one of four reburial mounds at Wangayarta, was created for the reburial of Kaurna Ancestors disturbed from southern areas of Kaurna Country over the last century.Wangayarta is a memorial/reburial park designed by the Kaurna community in 2019-2020 as a pilot repatriation project here in South Australia. Led by the Kaurna Yerta Aboriginal Corporation, the park was created to re-inter disturbed Ancestors held for decades at the South Australian Museum and the Adelaide University.Emotional ceremonies have already been held at Wangayarta for Kaurna Ancestors from the northern, western and eastern parts of Kaurna Country since December 2021.In this episode you’ll hear from:- Allan Sumner, Kaurna and Ngarrindjeri Traditional Owner and MC of the ceremony - Major Moogy Sumner, Kaurna and Ngarrindjeri Elder- Anna Russo, Aboriginal Heritage and Repatriation Manager at the South Australian Museum - Allan Sumner speaking at the event, used with permission.

“Sick to my stomach. There have been far too many situations where this has happened and our feelings, our connections and our thoughts have never been considered.”Chair of the Kaurna Yerta Aboriginal Corporation, Mitzi Nam, speaks out over the planned redevelopment of the North Adelaide Golf Course at Pirtawardli (meaning "brush tail possum home") to host the high-profile LIV Golf tournament in 2028.She shares the deep cultural and spiritual significance of the site, the pain of feeling excluded from formal consultation, and the urgent need for culturally respectful conversations to protect sacred places."We know development needs to happen, but when it comes to something that's just going to benefit a certain section of people, it's not for the wider community.It’s all about the money, but you can’t put a dollar value on protecting our cultural heritage for future generations.”

If you’ve ever wanted to find out more about native title – or even more about virtual reality – this episode is for you!Step onto Country as Traditional Owners tell you stories andguide you through their land and waters, all from within the foyer of the South Australian Museum.That’s the premise of Country, Culture, People, a newnative title display and VR experience by South Australian Native Title Services, looking back over more than 30 years of native title history here in South Australia.Visitors can explore key moments that have shaped nativetitle here, from the Native Title Act passing in 1993, to the first determination at De Rose Hill in 2005 and the landmark Kaurna determination in 2018. Then, virtually step onto Country and hear powerful stories from Traditional Owners. Key points in the podcast:3:47 SANTS CEO Keith Thomas talks about Country, Culture,People. 8:00 Keith explains what native title is, how it's evolved in SA in the years since he's been at the helm of SANTS and discusses the remaining areas of SA that are yet to be determined.18:15 Reuben Gore from Topbunk explains how the agency created the virtual reality display and how VR can be used to transport people to locations and scenarios that might not be easily accessible.Country, Culture, PeopleSouth Australian Museum foyer, North Terrace, Kaurna CountryVR Experience available over weekends for the remainder ofAugust

In this episode, we speak with Glenn Chisholm about the vital work of River Murray and Mallee Aboriginal Corporation (RMMAC) rangers in the Riverland.Cultural heritage protection is at the heart of their work, with a special focus on protecting ancestral burial sites using both traditional knowledge and modern scientific methods.Glenn envisions state-wide ranger gatherings where teams can share knowledge, skills, and experiences across different Country types.The program is growing, with plans to add new rangers over the next three years if funding is secured.Following the devastating floods of 2022-23, rangers have been restoring damaged cultural sites and discovering new ones exposed by the waters. They use mapping and monitoring techniques to track changes to sites over time and identify areas needing restoration or protection.Collaborating with landowners and other stakeholders is crucial, though can be challenging, to gain access and support for protecting sensitive sites.As Glenn proudly notes, these rangers aren't just protecting their own Country - they're making an impact that reaches far beyond their "little old country town."

Yitpi Yartapuultiku, the soul of Port Adelaide, recently opened to the public at an event attended by around 10,000 people.Nearly 30 years in the making, the cultural centre is led and mostly funded by the Port Adelaide Enfield Council.Aboriginal Way spoke with Kaurna Elder Uncle Lewis O'Brien and Aboriginal Community Lead Rodney Welch onsite about the importance of the new centre.

In this episode, Aboriginal Way speaks with the South Australian Museum's Aboriginal Heritage and Repatriation Manager, Anna Russo.Learn more about the museum's updated repatriation process, the different communities that have been involved and the importance of repatriation in reconnecting Aboriginal people with their heritage.You can read the accompanying story in the Autumn 2025 edition of Aboriginal Way magazine, out now - Aboriginal Way magazine - SA Native Title.Aboriginal Way has spoken with several different communities about repatriation to get a varied perspective over the years. Search back through our podcast or magazine archives for more repatriation stories as we continue this coverage.*Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander listeners, please be advised that this episode contains mention of deceased people.*

Groups of young Aboriginal people are learning more about Country by heading out to remote nature reserves for 5-day camps through the Nature Foundation’s Kids on Country junior ranger program. Traditional Owners mentor high school students as they engage in practical on-Country studies in conservation and land management through a SACE-accredited course, which also involves classroom study and online learning. Nature Foundation’s CEO Alex Nankivell, says that since launching in 2016, Kids on Country has become a sought-after program for schools, with enquiries from across Australia.The camps combine cultural stories, life skills such as car maintenance, fence repair, and cooking kangaroo tails over a campfire, as well as conservation projects such as bird and animal surveys. 🎧 Hear from program coordinators and students in this podcast and read the full article in the autumn edition of Aboriginal Way, out soon!

The preservation of the culturally significant Koonalda Cave in South Australia’s Far West Coast (FWC) region will be bolstered by the installation of new security cameras and the implementation of a comprehensive’ management plan.In 2022, the National Heritage listed cave was broken into and vandalised by unknown culprits, with the installation of these cameras a direct response to this incident.These new security measures were enabled by a $400,000 Australian Heritage Grant, facilitating the setup of remotely monitored cameras, recording 24 hours a day that can assist in prosecuting people who illegally access this site. Koonalda Cave sits within the Nullarbor Wilderness Protection Area, around 80km east of the West Australian border, containing cultural heritage “highly vulnerable” to human damage and at risk from environmental changes.Koonalda Cave has been closed off to the public since the late 1980s and is of particular significance to the Mirning people, featuring exceptionally well-preserved markings and evidence of flint mining and transformed contemporary understandings of Aboriginal art and archaeology in Australia.In 1956, archaeologist Dr Alexander Gallus dated the archaeological remains and finger markings at Koonalda Cave to be from 22,000 years prior, with later dating via radiocarbon technology confirming this, which was revolutionary for the wider public’s understanding of Australia’s timeline. During the development of the plan for the cave, Aboriginal groups with staked interest in the site were consulted, including the Far West Coast Aboriginal Corporation (FWCAC), which holds native title rights over the area.This episode features Mirning and Yankuntjyara man Clem Lawrie, who has strong familial connection to the cave, particularly through his mother’s side, and holds strong connection to the wider Nullarbor Plains.

During her childhood, Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue AC CBE DSG was told that she would never amount to anything. She went on to be described as “the greatest Aboriginal leader of the modern era.” Dr O’Donoghue, a Yankunytjatjara woman, passed away peacefully on Kaurna Country last year at the age of 91, and her life and legacy are soon to be commemorated with an exhibition in her honour. LOWITJA – A Life of Leadership and Legacy will feature a selection from Dr O’Donoghue’s extensive personal collection of her landmark speeches and media interviews, never before seen photographs, letters and reports spanning across her lifetime relating to the Stolen Generations, nursing and healthcare, Aboriginal affairs, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC), her own significant achievements, family and Indigenous peoples. AW spoke with Dr O'Donoghue's niece, Deb Edwards, who heads up the Lowitja Foundation, about her incredible life and impact.

On Tuesday March 28 a sod turning ceremony was held to launch construction of the long-awaited Purrkanaitya Elders Village at Warriparinga/Bedford Park.Purrkanaitya is a Kaurna word meaning "for all Elders", with the facility set to deliver 40 modern and culturally appropriate homes near the Sturt River.The project is slated to take around 14 months, with the facility offering Elders the opportunity to live independently on country in affordable, safe and secure community housing.Funding for the project has been contributed by the SA government, federal government and Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC), who also donated the land for the project.AW spoke about the commencement of building with ILSC chairperson Ian Hamm.

State Records of South Australia was the country's first service of its kind when it was established more than 100 years ago in 1919.  State Records SA has an Aboriginal Reference Group and specific Aboriginal access services, which include Aboriginal access officers.  These services can help you find your Aboriginal family history through culturally sensitive archival records. They can specifically assist members of the Stolen Generations in identifying and becoming reunited with members of their families. They also help researchers find information and gain access to the correct records for their needs. “We support the spirit of Reconciliation and the recognition of individuals’ right of access to their own personal information” - State Records SAToday, AW is speaking with Senior Aboriginal Access Officer Tara Collier and Senior Reference Archivist Nick Miller about their work and how they can help you discover more about your own family history.

Bangarra Dance Theatre are bringing a new cross-cultural collaboration to audiences around the country with ‘The Light Inside’, a joint-choreographed piece with leading Māori choreographer Moss Te Ururangi Patterson. The project is a collaborative piece created by Patterson and Bangarra’s Deborah Brown, working together to honour their respective mother countries and the spirit that calls them home. Brown is a proud descendent of the Wakaid Clan and Meriam people in the Torres Strait and has crafted a piece that binds together her experience with that of the First Peoples of Aoteoroa. Audiences at WOMADelaide 2025 will have two opportunities to catch Bangarra Dance Theatre, on the Friday and Saturday evenings of the festival. Ahead of their show, AW spoke with Maddison Paluch, one of the talented artists performing ‘The Light Inside.’

Reconciliation SA have called for the date of the annual Australia Day celebration on January 26 to be moved, amidst efforts to strive for a more reflective approach to the national holiday. The date has remained a point of division amongst Australians, with regular debate arising in the lead up. Rec SA are asking the wider public to consider the viewpoint of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders who relate Jan 26 with the dark history of early colonisation. Jeremy Johncock, a proud Wirangu and Mirning man and Co-Chair Reconciliation SA, provided the following statement. “There is this misconception that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples don’t want to celebrate our beautiful Country," he said. "Of course we do, just not on the day that marks the beginning of dispossession, forcible removal of children, loss of culture, languages and lands. "Acknowledging our shared history is one part but acceptance of this history, seems to be the challenging piece - both are essential for healing, unity, and progress.” We spoke with Reconciliation SA CEO Jason Downs about the organisation's continued push for change and national reflection around this date.

Gynburra Festival is the largest single Aboriginal Nation event held in Southern Australia. Last year the family friendly event celebrated its 10th year running, and this year it’s back over two days - this Friday, the 24th and Saturday, 25th January, at Port Victoria on the Garunnda, the Narungga name for the Yorke Peninsula. Today, we're speaking with Gynburra's founder and Managing Director, Garry Goldsmith.

The Indigenous Desert Alliance (IDA) held a significant conference of Elders, rangers, community leaders at Uluru, with over 400 attendees making their way to the biannual event. The conference celebrated “A Decade of Connection” in reference to the IDA’s past ten years of coordinating these events, with the three-day event running between November 11-14 and containing full-day rosters of workshops. The IDA was established to facilitate the sharing of lived experience from the vast network of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rangers across the desert regions of Australia. The desert area covered by IDA groups spans over 2,730,000 square kilometres, containing 25 Indigenous Protected Areas, 65 ranger teams and over 78 threatened species. AW spoke with Arabana head ranger, Zaheer McKenzie, about the conference and several of the important projects that the Arabana ranger program is involved with more widely.