The Three Sacred Rivers at the Heart of Kaurna Country

Three sacred rivers cross the heart of Traditional Kaurna Country between the Mount Lofty Ranges (Yura the Rainbow Serpent) and the sea, each passing through part of Adelaide, the capital city of South Australia. This is the only capital city in Australia where the Aboriginal Traditional Owners have been recognised through a consent determination of Native Title rights and interests (Commonwealth Native Title Act 1993).

The Kaurna community faces the constant challenge of maintaining their cultural identity in the face of large-scale commercial, infrastructure and residential developments throughout their traditional Country, and the associated impacts on their cultural and archaeological heritage and the traditional burial places of their ancestors.

Join Jeffrey Newchurch, Allan Sumner & Neale Draper as they describe the cultural heritage significance of these three sacred rivers for Kaurna people: the Kadlitparri (Wild Dog River), the Karrawirraparri (the River of the Red-Gum Forest), and the Nangkiparri (the Women’s River). The kinds of archaeological sites and development impact challenges faced by the Kaurna Nation, and their evolving cultural heritage management strategies to preserve their traditional cultural values and special places, will be illustrated through their interactions with developers, government agencies and archaeologists during a large township construction project along the Kadlitparri (Gawler River).

Registration is essential - attendees will receive the detailed meeting location via email prior to the event. BYO chair, blanket or pillow.