Indigenous cultural program inspires connection to country in South Australia

ABC NEWS (Australia)

It’s a place of renewal and one of learning. A pocket of land nestled in South Australia's McLaren Vale wine region has been undergoing cultural and environmental regeneration. It's also become the home of an innovative program to guide First Nations secondary students in cultural ceremony and caring for country.

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00:00A long way from their high school classroom, these students are learning to make fire the

00:11way their ancestors did for millennia.

00:13Just letting the spirits know we're here, we're home, we're safe.

00:18They're part of a unique learning on country program immersing in Kaurna culture and language.

00:23Antiquity and language means to sit down, sit down on country.

00:26So what we're doing here is real bi-cultural, cultural education.

00:30Started two years ago in a collaboration between the school and Kanyanyapila, the students

00:35make regular visits, connecting to country before getting hands-on experience caring for

00:41native plants and removing weeds.

00:43We're bringing in some of the ecological and science as well.

00:46It's a really good way to connect with Mother Nature and a good way to have a yarn and connect

00:51with other people.

00:52Teachers say it's paying dividends.

00:55This has brought confidence out in them in a different way than it would in a classroom

01:00on site at school.

01:02And the benefits work both ways.

01:04As Kanyanyapila's custodian, Carl is making change and getting help from the students.

01:10Cultural, spiritual renewal, ecological renewal, restoration and regeneration for the coming

01:16generations.

01:17It's proving popular among the students.

01:19It's an amazing opportunity to come here.

01:22Just learning about our culture and doing everything.

01:26I get to learn about my culture and feel just included and like I've found my people.

01:33A renewal of country and culture to inspire a new generation.

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