Acknowledgement of Country
ForestrySA acknowledges the Kaurna, Peramangk, Ngarrindjeri, Ramindjeri and Boandik peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land of which we care for and manage.
We as an organisation desire healing, restoration, and reconciliation as we walk together into a better future and we wish for our actions to be meaningful and respectful, and are working to build better relationships and understanding with Aboriginal people.
In the spirit of reconciliation and respect, ForestrySA acknowledges the Aboriginal peoples throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community.
We pay our respect to Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today and into the future.
Reconciliation matters greatly to us, because of who we are and what we do
ForestrySA’s vision for reconciliation is to be an organisation which has deep and meaningful relationships with Aboriginal stakeholders and all Traditional Custodians of the lands which we manage and care for.
Our business operates from our Headquarters in Kuitpo Forest and office in Mount Crawford Forest. We look after land stretching from Pewsey Vale to Delamere in the Mount Lofty Ranges, and Nangwarry to Mount Burr and across to Caroline in the Limestone Coast.
The land we manage therefore intersects with four Aboriginal groups: Peramangk, Kaurna, Ngarrindjeri, Ramindjeri and Boandik people (also known as Buandig or Bunganditj).
Dreaming stories from all groups illustrate a deep spiritual connection to the land
Due to the nature of our work, there have been significant and long-standing relationships built with Aboriginal people and their communities. We pay our respects and thank Aboriginal people and elders past and present for sharing their knowledge with us.
Our team works closely with Traditional Custodians of ForestrySA land to seek direction on caring for culturally significant areas, learn language and gain permission for use of Aboriginal names. We have also been working closely with local men’s and women’s groups over many years to facilitate regular opportunities for connecting to Country, Culture and Community, through forest outings and gatherings.
Staff in the Green Triangle region (Limestone Coast) have developed important relationships with members of the Boandik and Ngarrindjeri communities through the South East Aboriginal Focus Group. This includes working with children at Millicent High School to connect students to Country by planting trees, visiting local significant sites, and hosting important Smoking Ceremonies and Welcome to Country events.
The ForestrySA team has been nurturing and growing these actions further through our Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan 2022-23. We have a responsibility to be a part of the movement for reconciling with the Aboriginal peoples of South Australia. This responsibility is made even more significant as a land management organisation.
Our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) is intended to provide a structured and measurable approach to the work we are already doing, while further improving relations with local Aboriginal communities. As our Reflect RAP is being finalised, our Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group is commencing planning with Aboriginal people to develop a Stretch RAP in 2024. Watch this space!
