‘We don’t bury em like that’: Concerns raised by Kaurna Elders over origins of mass grave

Kaurna Traditional Owners and Elders have questioned whether a mass grave at a housing development site in Adelaide’s north, could be the result of a massacre.

Traditional Owners say the cultural significance of the area where a mass grave of Aboriginal remains was unearthed in Adelaide’s north is growing by the day as more details come to light.

The area which was unearthed by workers for the Riverlea housing development project in July this year, has already seen 31 individual remains excavated and stored in a shipping container.

Former Director of Aboriginal Affairs for the state government and Kaurna Elder, Ian Carter told the Advertiser on Friday that it could be a “massacre site”.

“We don’t bury em like that. As far as I know, we don’t have group burials like a cemetery,” he said.

Former Director of Aboriginal Affairs for the state government and Kaurna Elder, Ian Carter. Picture: Douglas Smith

“If you look at the pictures, they are very gut-wrenching and you straightway get a sense that there is something wrong and you don’t feel too well at all.”

Mr Carter said he “personally couldn’t confirm” if it was massacre site but said stories from his “old people” have indicated that it could be.

Following a community meeting held by the Kaurna Yerta Aboriginal Corporation (KYAC) last weekend, five recommendations have been made to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs over the issue.

Recommendations include all further work to cease around the site, the 31 remains to be put back in the ground and for an independent forensic archaeologist to conduct another review.

Actor and Kaurna woman, Natasha Wanganeen brought the issue to national attention on the ABC’s Q&A program on Monday night.

Speaking to the Advertiser on Thursday, Ms Wanganeen said there needed to be a “reset” of consultation between the state government and the Kaurna people over future decisions on what will happen to the remains.

Natasha Wanganeen at the Black Lives Matter rally in Adelaide. Picture: Morgan Sette

“Any more disturbance to that is more destruction to our history and culture and that belongs to our children because we’re the caregivers of that now,” she said.

“We have to protect it so that our kids can learn from it in years to come.

“The fact that there‘s three sites now with three big plots of bones and thousands of artefacts. It doesn’t seem right and it doesn’t feel right.

“That is a burial site or a massacre site.”

The Riverlea development site is owned by the Walker Corporation with plans to build 12,000 homes for 40,000 residents over a 15-year plan.

However, on 13 September, the Walker Corporation applied to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs under Sections 21, 23 and 29 (1) (b) of the Aboriginal Heritage Act, to extend the application to 25 years, and conduct ground disturbing works which would see more remains “excavated and removed where necessary.”

A government spokesperson said consultation was still underway between the Walker Corporation and KYAC and a decision will happen next year.

“Consultation on the developer’s application is still open and feedback is being sought,” they said.

“All submissions including this one will be carefully considered as part of the ongoing deliberations and a decision will be delivered in early 2024.”

The Walker Corporation has been contacted for comment.

Originally published as ‘We don’t bury em like that’: Concerns raised by Kaurna Elders over origins of mass grave