Adelaide City Council ‘overusing’ Kaurna Aboriginal acknowledgement warns respected elder Lowitja O’Donoghue

ADELAIDE City Council should rein in its courteous use of acknowledging Aboriginal land owners at every official function, says one of the nation’s most powerful indigenous leaders.

ADELAIDE City Council should rein in its courteous use of acknowledging Aboriginal land owners at every official function, says one of the nation’s most powerful indigenous leaders.

Lowitja O’Donoghue said the Kaurna Acknowledgement of Country was overused by the council, which uses it before each meeting.

The former Australian of the Year, a member of the Stolen Generation and recognised for her work with Aboriginal communities backed calls from Adelaide City councillors to limit its use.

“It is important but in my opinion it is done too often,” she said.

“It’s gone over the top, and this has gone on for a while now.”

Professor O’Donoghue said that the overuse extended to conferences and events where Kaurna people - the indigineous tribes of the Adelaide Plains - were recognised.

She also suggested that the traditional welcome was not “general” enough to acknowledge all Aboriginal groups.

“I come from the APY lands and I never get an opportunity for that recognition,” she said.

In 2002, Adelaide City Council agreed to recognise Kaurna people at the start of every council and committee meeting.

An Aboriginal person also performed an official Welcome to Country ceremony before high-profile events such as civic receptions and visits by overseas dignitaries.

Cr Anne Moran said that the Acknowledgement of Country should be reserved for “very important” occasions and the “most important” monthly council meeting.

“You turn around and scratch your head and you give a Kaurna welcome,” Cr Moran said.

“I can’t remember in 18 years a Kaurna person coming to a meeting, and if they can’t hear it, I just think it’s tokenistic and cringingly embarrassing that we say it at the drop of a hat.”

Councillors David Plumridge and Sandy Wilkinson said that the traditional verse lost its meaning if it was recited “by rote”.

“It devalues the currency,” Cr Wilkinson said.

Lord Mayor Stephen Yarwood did not want to weigh in to the argument.

“It’s the job of the councillors to have that debate,” Mr Yarwood said.

Cr Moran raised the issue after the council last month unveiled a reconciliation plaza in Victoria Square dedicated to the Stolen Generation, a move which she also described as tokenistic.

Kaurna elder Lynette Crocker said the acknowledgment should stay because it was about recognising the past, the present and the future.

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Ian Hunter said he was disappointed councillors started the debate without talking to Kaurna people first.

THE ADELAIDE CITY COUNCIL KAURNA ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

“Adelaide City Council (ACC) acknowledges that we are meeting on the traditional country of the Kaurna people of the Adelaide Plains. We recognise and respect their cultural heritage, beliefs and relationship with the land. We acknowledge that they are of continuing importance to the Kaurna people living today.”