New ‘Kaurna voices’ cultural map a first for Adelaide’s Aboriginal heritage

From the River Torrens to North Terrace, there is now a new chance to retrace the steps from the forgotten chapters in the city’s story.

From traditional Kaurna camping spots and ancient Dreaming tracks along the River Torrens, a new interactive, digital map will reveal new landmarks from Adelaide’s Aboriginal heritage for the first time.

Launched on Wednesday, the ‘Kaurna Voices’ map was developed by the Kaurna Yerta Aboriginal Corporation, Kaurna Community members with the City of Adelaide to tell the stories behind sites and events of cultural significance across the Adelaide Park Lands, CBD and North Adelaide.

Kaurna elder Aunty Yvonne Agius was proud to be part of the project and said it was “time people knew” the city’s true history.

“I think people would be surprised with what we found and I just hope it carries into the future,” she said.

The map is also a way to keep Kaurna stories alive for generations to come, she said.

“It’s very important that we keep this alive especially for our younger ones coming up.

“We’re not going to be around forever as elders. So we need to teach them now.”

Kaurna elder Aunty Yvonne Agius at the launch of the Kaurna Voices website. Picture: Brandon Hancock/City of Adelaide

The interactive 19th-century-style map includes landmarks like the River Torrens (Karrawirra Pari) where important Dreaming tracks were destroyed by settlers and Old Government House, which is situated over the Red Kangaroo Rock site where Tarnta (the male red kangaroo) introduced the initiation ceremony for Kaurna men.

It also explores Kaurna culture, history and language while also bringing to light atrocities committed against First Nations people, including hangings outside Adelaide Gaol and the forced removal of Aboriginal children during the Stolen Generations.

These stories are told using archived images, historical text, oral history and video recordings of Kaurna Elders and Community leaders, including Kaurna Elders Dr Lewis Yarlupurka O’Brien, Aunty Lynette Crocker, Uncle Mickey Kumatipi O’Brien, Uncle Jeffrey Newchurch and Kaurna Yerta Aboriginal Corporation Chair Mitzi Nam.

Mr Newchurch said it was more than a map, not only sharing important Kaurna stories but also giving young Kaurna people a voice.

“Kaurna Cultural sites are not just dots on a map – Kaurna cultural heritage is entwined through the whole of Kaurna Country,” he said.

“Cultural mapping is a healing process. Connecting to culture gives young Kaurna people a voice and a purpose.”

Kaurna Voices map shows significant cultural sites across Adelaide. Picture: City of Adelaide

The two-year ‘Kaurna Voices’ project was completed as part of the council’s Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan to capture sites of cultural significance in the city and North Adelaide.

Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith said the project told the “authentic story of the Kaurna people.”

“Having a really close experience and storytelling for many generations allows Kaurna leaders to make sure that those stories live on,” she said.

“We believe that the stories being told on our website will change the dialogue, will move people’s understanding of the city, and actually make sure that everyone who comes to live in the city in the future understands that they’re on Kaurna land.

“It always has been and it always will be.”

The Kaurna Voices Project can be viewed here.