In NAIDOC Week (2 to 9 July) we recognized and celebrated the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, with this year’s theme being ‘For Our Elders’. This year also marked the United Nations “Decade for Indigenous Languages”. On Wednesday 5 July, Brighton Secondary School ran a Kaurna Language Workshop, which bears particular cultural significance to the two aforementioned events.
In the workshop, 13 students from years 7, 8 and 9 enjoyed the opportunity to learn about the history of the Kaurna language, some phrases and how to introduce themselves in Kaurna. Students also learned about the important role that Elders play in the passing down of information to the younger generation. The three-hour workshop culminated in students brainstorming ideas for an Acknowledgement of Country that represents our site. This workshop was run by Kaurna Language Teacher, Zoey Warruyu Bonney, who is an expert in Kaurna Language and the chairperson of the Kaurna Warra Pintyanthi (KWP) team at Adelaide University. In preparation for the workshop, Zoey produced a language resource specific to Brighton Secondary School for use at the workshop and future use.
After the workshop, a site-based Acknowledgement of Country was created, used language and features specific to the local community.
We, the members of the Brighton Secondary School community, gather on this land with humility and gratitude, recognising that our school is located on the traditional lands of the Kaurna People. We pay our respects to Kaurna People who have cared for this land for thousands of years.
We acknowledge that Kaurna people were here first, and we stand in awe of their deep connection to this land as well as their knowledge. We understand that some of this land and knowledge have been lost through invasion – an invasion that the Kaurna People have persevered through with continued resilience and strength. As a school community we believe in the importance of coming together to acknowledge and respect all people, cultures and histories. We thank Kaurna people for allowing us to use Kaurna language in our house names, Tarnta, Wilya, Tantutiti, Mirnu, Yarlu and Karrkala.
We take this moment to reflect on the significance of the Tjilbruke dreaming and the local areas that breathe life into Kaurna dreaming like the sand dunes and the freshwater springs where reeds once grew in the marshy soil. We acknowledge the sites of significance that extend from Kingston Park, Tulukutangga to Brighton Wituwartingga and onto Glenelg Pathawilyangga.
We are thankful for the strength of those who were here first, whose culture and knowledge enriches our lives every single day. We recognise that this country always was and always will be Aboriginal Land. appropriate pronunciation.
This Acknowledgement of Country will feature on our school’s website, be displayed in English and Kaurna language on a plaque at the entrance to the school and be used by staff and students for school events and meetings.
Outcomes of the project:
- The development of a site-based Acknowledgement of Country including Kaurna language proved positive on a number of levels, particularly for students who have learnt an appreciation of Indigenous perspectives and language
- The site-based Acknowledgement of Country has helped to deepen student and staff understanding of the diversity of languages and cultures of Australia’s Indigenous cultures
- As a school the creation of an official Acknowledgement of Country has create a visible expression to the community of the school’s commitment to support Aboriginal students, families and cultural issues
- The workshop deepened key staff members’ understanding of Kaurna language, supporting the use of language throughout the school which will raise the profile of Indigenous languages,
- Collaboration with tertiary and community bodies will support the school’s understanding of Aboriginal language, culture and issues and is a valuable part of any school’s professional learning program and curriculum
The funds provided by the grant are being used to cover costs of:
- Workshop preparation and facilitation (5 hours), including production of a language resource • Morning tea
- Translation of Acknowledgement to Kaurna language and provision of sound files – paperwork submitted, awaiting approval
- Production of the plaque – future cost (TBC)
We would like to thank the Australian Council for Human Rights Education for providing support for this project as part of the national Citizen for Humanity Project.
Kind regards,
Sam Kondraciuk
Senior Leader: School Climate & Values
Brighton Secondary School