Reconciliation
Kaurna Acknowledgement
Ngadlurlu tampinthi, ngadlu Kaurna yartangka inparrinthi. Ngadlurlu parnuku tuwila yartangka tampinthi.
Ngadlurlu Kaurna Miyurna yaitya yarta‑mathanya Wama Tarntanyaku tampinthi. Parnuku yailtya, parnuku tapa purruna yalarra puru purruna.*
Listen to the Kaurna translation
We would like to acknowledge this land that we meet on today is the traditional lands for the Kaurna people and that we respect their spiritual relationship with their country.
We also acknowledge the Kaurna people as the traditional custodians of the Adelaide region and that their cultural and heritage beliefs are still as important to the living Kaurna people today.
*Kaurna translation provided by Kaurna Warra Karrpanthi 2021.
Reconciliation Statement
The City of Unley recognises that the Kaurna people are the traditional owners and occupiers of the land that now comprises the City of Unley.
We apologise for the pain, the grief and suffering experienced by Australian Indigenous people as a result of past laws, government
policies, actions and attitudes. The City of Unley expresses deep sorrow that these actions and attitudes have occurred and has determined that such occurrences will not be repeated.
The City of Unley commits itself to an ongoing process of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and recognises the historical and environmental significance of Kaurna sites within the City.
We recognise the significance and richness of the Kaurna culture and language.
Signed by Kaurna Elders Lewis O'Brien and Doris Graham with City of Unley Mayor Michael Keenan on 30 November 2001.
Cultural Mapping and Reconciliation Action Plan
Council acknowledges that we have limited documentation of the history and traditions of First Nations peoples on our shared land, both before and after European settlement. In the next year we will undertake a cultural mapping project to research the Indigenous significance of the land in the City of Unley. This research and documentation could assist in future projects, strategies and plans to recognise and celebrate Kaurna culture and language.
This project will be done in conjunction with a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) as an organisational commitment to embed the principles and purpose of Reconciliation and plan meaningful actions to progress Reconciliation. We will likely develop this in two stages over the next three years. In discussion with lead Indigenous agencies and Kaurna representatives, we will move through the process of a Reflect and Innovate RAP.
Reconciliation Week
“Of Desert and Sea” Reconciliation Week 2023 Unley Town Hall Photo: Ben Liew
National Reconciliation Week is held every year May 27-June 3.
The City of Unley has in recent times made significant steps towards Reconciliation. We take Reconciliation and ongoing dialogue with our Indigenous community very seriously as part as of our rich and progressive cultural agenda.
Since 2009, every year we have celebrated Reconciliation Week with our community in the Town Hall and in our Libraries and Community Centres with our local schools, Elected Members, staff and wider community.
We have now had many Aboriginal and Torres Strait representatives who have led us in music, dance, Indigenous languages, weaving, murals, stories and a greater understanding about what it means to walk together along the path of Reconciliation.
We also fly the Aboriginal flag and Torres Strait Island permanently in front of the Unley Library, one of the few Councils to do so in South Australia.
Reconciliation Week Events
Reconciliation Week events will appear here in the lead up to week.