The Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board celebrated NAIDOC Week on Peramangk Country on 7 July, bringing together the community and people from the region’s three First Nations of Kaurna, Ngarrindjeri and Peramangk.

The morning started with a Smoking Ceremony by Mark Koolmatrie, and a Welcome to Country by Peramangk elder Clyde Rigney Snr, who spoke of the combined responsibility in caring for Country.

Guests then watched a special screening of the ‘Seeds for Change’ film, featuring Mark Koolmatrie, in which he speaks about what caring for Country means to Aboriginal people and why it is up to everyone to be part of that journey. 

Mark is a Ngarrindjeri/Ramindjeri elder, and winner of the 2022 Landcare SA Indigenous Land Management Award. 

The film was followed by a panel discussion which included Clyde, Mark, Caitlin, (Mark’s daughter), John Fargher (land steward of the Yundi Nature Conservancy) and Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board General Manager Michael Garrod.

There were discussions about the shared responsibility to care for Country, the ngartji model, the need for land managers to be open to First Nations’ cultural input, and the importance of working with First Nations contractors and organisations to facilitate a cultural influence on land management.

The Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board says it works with the region’s three Nations to ensure cultural values and interests are heard, respected and maintained as they work with people to care for land, water and nature.

Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board Aboriginal Partnerships Officer Bill Wilson has thanked those who attended the event for taking the opportunity to connect with First Nations culture and delve deeper into what caring for Country means.

“We had a great day and thank those who were able to attend. NAIDOC Week is a meaningful time and to bring together people from our three Nations, local

community members and industry groups was really special.

“We would also like to extend a special thanks also to the Adelaide Hills Wine Region and Langhorne Creek Wine Region for sponsoring the event.

“Seeds of Change is such an inspiring film about healing Country and our panelists were very open and generous with their knowledge, values and understanding of First Nations culture and opportunities.”

The morning concluded with a light lunch and informal conversations around themes covered in the film and panel discussion.

“The positive energy and discussion among the guests was really what it was all about – we have opened up some great conversations that will lead to unique opportunities and collaborative approaches when caring for Country,” Mr Wilson says.