First Nations

⚠️ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this website and associated documents may contain images and voices of people who have died.

Acknowledgement of Country

The Narungga, Ngadjuri, Nukunu, Kaurna and Peramangk people are the Traditional Custodians of the Northern and Yorke region and have been for thousands of years.

The Board acknowledges and respects the Traditional Owners of Northern and Yorke. We acknowledge elders past and present, and we respect the relationship Aboriginal people have to Country.

Aboriginal peoples’ oral histories and creation stories traverse the length and breadth of Australia’s lands and waters. These stories interconnect lands and waters with complex meaning and values and hold great cultural significance.

We recognise and respect Aboriginal peoples' ownership of their stories and that they hold rights and obligations to care for Country. The Board is committed to supporting Traditional Owners, Aboriginal people and Aboriginal organisations’ involvement in the management of lands, seas and waters. This includes recognising the relationship between Aboriginal culture and natural resources and incorporating Aboriginal knowledge of natural resources into decision-making.

The Northern and Yorke Landscape Board is committed to working with the First Nations of the Northern and Yorke region to support healthy landscapes, communities and Country.

The Northern and Yorke region includes the traditional lands of five First Nations: Kaurna, Narungga, Ngadjuri, Nukunu, and Peramangk. Each Nation identifies with its own Country, culture, history, knowledge, language, traditions and connection to land and waters.

We recognises the important relationship between Aboriginal culture and natural resources and supports Traditional Custodians, and the broader Aboriginal community and organisations to participate in the management of land, seas and waters.

Our approach recognises First Nations knowledge, priorities and aspirations as an important part of planning and delivering landscape management across Northern and Yorke.

Aboriginal heritage and Country

Aboriginal cultural heritage is an important part of Country and landscape management.

South Australia’s Aboriginal Heritage Act 1988 provides statutory protection for Aboriginal sites, objects and remains. The Act includes provisions relating to the discovery, excavation and protection of Aboriginal heritage.

Early consideration of Aboriginal heritage can help identify cultural values and avoid unintended impacts.

The Northern and Yorke Landscape Board supports respectful engagement with First Nations organisations and the incorporation of cultural knowledge and perspectives into project planning and delivery.