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.
Walking side-by-side together
Due to the nature of our work, there have been significant and long-standing relationships established with Aboriginal people and their communities. We respect and thank Aboriginal people, past and present, for sharing their knowledge with us.
In the Mount Lofty Ranges, our team works in partnership with the Kaurna, Peramangk, Ngarrindjeri and Ramindjeri people to seek guidance on caring for culturally significant areas, provide opportunities for cultural activities, and learn language. 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.
Over many years, staff in the Green Triangle region (Limestone Coast) developed important relationships with members of the Boandik and Ngarrindjeri communities through the Southeast 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. Our new Innovate RAP is under development with launch scheduled for Reconciliation Week 2025.
DOWNLOAD OUR REFLECT RAP 2022-23
Contact the RAP Working Group
We welcome your feedback and any enquiries regarding our reconciliation initiatives and work with Aboriginal communities.
All enquiries about access to forest reserves for cultural activities such as cutting of shields and coolamons need to be submitted to our RAP Working Group for consideration. We want to work together and support the connection to Country and Culture, but we want to make sure we do it meaningfully and appropriately. Please get in touch!
Contact our RAP Working Group
