- The Guardian
- Issue #2129
In many parts of the nation, First Nations working with non-Aboriginal Australians has emerged as a sustainable way of dealing with the environmental challenges posed by climate change, especially more intense and more frequent bush fires and floods as well the vegetation loss. Fire stick farming as a significant aspect of TEK (Traditional Ecological Knowledge), stands out as just one of numerous alternative approaches to managing the natural environment, as part of practices developed over millennia in Aboriginal Australia. A respectful and cooperative atmosphere is a vital part of the transference process.
Tarntanya/Adelaide has a local group who have embraced this philosophy with the long-term aim of preserving Aboriginal culture to the benefit of the wider Australian community at the same time. This group, known as the Warringga Committee, in its short life has so far made such great strides to achieve wide community recognition.
Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal community leaders and educators have joined with Aboriginal elders to work in various ways to develop Indigenous understanding in activities important to the local area and with impact on a wider scale. The South Australian Chapter of OMEP (the World Organisation of Early Childhood Education) has not only recognised the committee through a Children’s Week Award but also noted their appreciation of the Committee’s projects that focus on educating Aboriginal teachers on how to research and be confident in presenting their culture.
Starting in 2023 with the TEK Program, the Committee has become an influential force. As a tragic consequence of colonisation, many young Aboriginal people who have achieved success in gaining a sound general education, have been denied access to traditional learning, especially in the case of urban communities. Operating through Tauondi Aboriginal Community College, and in conjunction with Aboriginal Elders, a course was initiated for Aboriginal instructors, counsellors and potential tour leaders or tourist guides which helped forge their “connection to country” and their ability to promote TEK.
In summarising their achievements, the Chair of Warringga Committee, Misty Taylor, of Kaurna heritage, declared: “The Warringga Committee’s vision is for the local community to establish a number of areas (a trail, track or garden) that can boost local biodiversity and provide valuable education opportunities for local community members. To offer experiences with Aboriginal educators in an ongoing and developmental way whereby participants get the opportunity to get to know Aboriginal people and Kaurna Language and to experience Traditional Ecological Knowledge in a hands-on manner (connection to country).
In partnership, Uncle Frank Wanganeen, Kaurna and Narungga Elder, and Paul Herzich, a multi-award-winning Landscape Architect of Ngarrindjeri and Kaurna heritage and principal of Mantirri Design, worked together on a project that used the culturally significant story of the Parafield Vernal Pools and the Dingo, Bukkibukki, to create artwork for the iconic Salisbury Clock Tower. The artworks are Kaurna cultural markers of 2 ancient stories within the local Salisbury area, which the group hope to do more of in the City of Salisbury.
In cooperation with environmental group Friends of Cobbler Creek, an urban recreational park incorporated a culturally sensitive “yarning circle’’ into its picnic and playground area, along with planting and nurturing of local native vegetation as part of caring for country.
Combining with schools, universities, council and environmental groups, even kindergartens, the Committee as undertaken numerous projects with culture and country at the forefront such as the establishment of bush food gardens and the planting of native species. In doing so, they have facilitated Cultural Guide workshops on TEK, hosted a community workshop with South Australian Native Plant expert Neville Bonney, whose book Knowing, growing and eating edible wild native plants for southern Australia, has become a classic environmental resource.
To fulfil its destiny as a tolerant and environmentally educated nation, Australia needs to embrace First Nations’ insights and respect for nature.
