- by Ron Hall – Secretary Aboriginal Advancement League SA
- The Guardian
- Issue #2149
Thousands gathered at Port Adelaide for the opening of the Aboriginal Cultural Centre, Yitpi Yartapuultiku, (Kaurna for Soul of Port Adelaide). Yipti is situated on the banks of the Port River. The opening drew a huge crowd of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians in a spirit of reconciliation.
Kaurna elder Uncle Lewis O’Brien spoke in the retrieved Kaurna language welcoming the hundreds gathered on country. Ngadguri elder Aunty Pat Waria-Read extended a rousing invitation to everyone to come to the centre to learn about Aboriginal culture and appreciate its full significance for Australian people. Local federal member of Parliament, Mark Butler spoke. While lamenting the referendum outcome, he spoke firmly in favour of the welcome to country as a matter of showing respect. The mayor of Port Adelaide-Enfield, Claire Boan, expressed how proud the community must be of this impressive creation, such an achievement in consultation and cooperation.
The Tal Kin Jeri dance group led by Ngarrindjeri elder and environmental activist Uncle Major “Moogie” Sumner provided a cultural treat on the large specially prepared sandy surface of Gunyawayitila, performance area, the culmination of a most significant day.
Various spaces surround the long stylish building – a Women’s Place, a Men’s Place, and a large outdoor performance area, all comprise an outstanding $35 million landmark located on the Port River, a product of a powerful collaboration between an Aboriginal committee and artists on one hand and a cooperative local council on the other, embracing concepts of reconciliation, environmental regeneration, preservation of traditional knowledge, and economic growth.
Inside there are a gallery, an elders’ room, a gift shop and café. Uncle Moogy plans to hold dance classes on-site in the near future.
Implementing the principal of caring for country has involved energy-efficient systems, use of rainwater and recycled water, natural ventilation and solar and battery technology. The location features a living shoreline where there is no seawall but a restored tidal zone using native reeds, oyster reefs” in implementing Kaurna ecological knowledge.
Significantly, the South Australian Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Kyam Maher, has just announced that the state is now moving from the achievement of a “Voice to Parliament” to beginning the consultation process for the settlement of a “Treaty” First Nations people.
