Naa Marni Niipurna

Hello Friends

Our understanding of relationships is inspired and informed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People’s knowledge and practice that sees all things as interrelated.

Kaurna

Kaurna Land spans from Crystal Brook in the north. Cape Jervois in the south, the Adelaide hills in the east and waters in the west. Kaurna land borders Nukunu, Ngarrindjeri, Peramangk, Narungga and Ngadjuri. The term ‘Kaurna’ likely finds 
it’s roots from the neighbouring Ramindjeri/Ngarrindjeri language, showing the closeness between Aboriginal lands.

We acknowledge the Traditional Lands of the Kaurna People and we respect and support their Spiritual, Physical, Intellectual and Emotional relationship with their Country.

We acknowledge the Traditional Lands
of the Kaurna People
and we respect and support their
Spiritual, Physical,
Intellectual and Emotional
relationship with their Country.

Our understanding of relationships is inspired and informed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People’s knowledge and practice that sees all things as interrelated.

PERAMANGK

Peramangk country extends from the foothills above the Adelaide Plains, north from Mount Barker through Harrogate, Gumeracha, Mount Pleasant, and Springton to the Angaston and Gawler districts in the Barossa, and south to Strathalbyn and Myponga on 
the Fleurieu Peninsula. There are also sites along the River Murray to the east where Peramangk people had access to the river. “Peramangk” is a combination of words ‘Pera’ – place on the tiered range of mount lofty and ‘Maingker’ – red ochre skin warrior.

We acknowledge the Traditional Lands of the Peramangk People
and we respect and support their Spiritual, Physical, Intellectual and Emotional relationship with their Country.

We acknowledge the Traditional Lands
of the Peramangk People
and we respect and support their
Spiritual, Physical,
Intellectual and Emotional
relationship with their Country.

Our understanding of relationships is inspired and informed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People’s knowledge and practice that sees all things as interrelated.

Erawirung

Erawirung refers to the Yirawirung and Jirawirung people whose lands are located on the upper reaches of the Murray River in the Berri Riverland. The Riverland also refers to areas surrounding such as: Ngaiawang, Ngawait, Nganguruku, Ngintait, Ngaralte, Ngarkat and small parts of Maraura and Daanggali.

We acknowledge the Traditional Lands of the Erawirung People and we respect and support their Spiritual, Physical, Intellectual and Emotional relationship with their Country.

We acknowledge the Traditional Lands
of the Erawirung People
and we respect and support their
Spiritual, Physical,
Intellectual and Emotional
relationship with their Country.

Our understanding of relationships is inspired and informed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People’s knowledge and practice that sees all things as interrelated.

BOANDIK

Boandik country is located in the Mount Gambier region. “Boandik” or “Bunganditji” means ‘People of the Reeds’.

We acknowledge the Traditional Lands of the Boandik People and we respect and support their Spiritual, Physical, Intellectual and Emotional relationship with their Country.

We acknowledge the Traditional Lands
of the Boandik People
and we respect and support their
Spiritual, Physical,
Intellectual and Emotional
relationship with their Country.

Our understanding of relationships is inspired and informed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People’s knowledge and practice that sees all things as interrelated.

kurdnatta

Kurdnatta country is located in the Port Augusta region. This area also includes the lands of the Barngarla and Nukunu people. “Kurdnatta” means ‘Place of Drifting Sand’.

We acknowledge the Traditional Lands of the Kurdnatta People and we respect and support their Spiritual, Physical, Intellectual and Emotional relationship with their Country.

We acknowledge the Traditional Lands
of the Kurdnatta People
and we respect and support their
Spiritual, Physical,
Intellectual and Emotional
relationship with their Country.

Next
Next

We come together as RASA, a not-for-profit organisation that exists on the lands of Kaurna . Tarntanya . Kuntu . Yartapuulti . Warraparinga . Para Wirra . Peramangk . Erawirung . Boandik . Kurdnatta .

RASA recognises the world’s oldest continuous living culture. For more than 65,000 years the original custodians welcomed all people to their Lands. They taught us responsibility, reciprocity and connections to these lands, knowing we are all visitors to these places that we live, work, and enjoy.

We acknowledge the importance of knowing these countries, to recognise the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, their Elders, their communities, their stories. When we learn about Country we recognise the care for the lands, skies, waters, plants, and animals that has always been a part of Aboriginal cultures.

We come together as RASA,
a not-for-profit organisation that
exists on the lands of
Kaurna . Tarntanya . Kuntu .
Yartapuulti . Warraparinga .
Para Wirra . Peramangk . Erawirung .
Boandik . Kurdnatta .

RASA recognises the world’s oldest
continuous living culture. For more
than 65,000 years the original
custodians welcomed all people to
their Lands. They taught us
responsibility, reciprocity and
connections to these lands,
knowing we are all visitors to these
places that we live, work, and enjoy.

We acknowledge the importance of
knowing these countries, to recognise
the Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander people, their Elders,
their communities, their stories.
When we learn about Country we
recognise the care for the lands,
skies, waters, plants, and animals
that has always been a part of
Aboriginal cultures.

We are conscious of our privilege to be here, doing the work that we do.
We understand that this privilege comes from the ongoing violation of these
lands which continues to harm Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people's

relationships, health, wellbeing and aspirations.

RASA embraces the opportunity to learn from the knowledge and wisdom of First Nations peoples. The knowledge and wisdom we absorb inspires us to work restoratively,
with open-mindedness and holistically, to foster meaningful change in future lives.

We believe that walking in harmony depends on our ability as an organisation to listen, appreciate, collaborate, learn, and speak up.

We are conscious of our privilege to
be here, doing the work that we do.
We understand that this privilege
comes from the ongoing violation
of these lands which continues to
harm Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander people's relationships,
health, wellbeing and aspirations.

RASA embraces the opportunity to
learn from the knowledge and
wisdom of First Nations peoples.
The knowledge and wisdom we
absorb inspires us to work
restoratively, with open-mindedness
and holistically, to foster meaningful
change in future lives.

We believe that walking in harmony
depends on our ability as an
organisation to listen, appreciate,
collaborate, learn, and speak up.

This is, was and always will be, Aboriginal land, water and songlines.

This is, was and always will be,
Aboriginal land, water and songlines.

The most fundamental relationship we need to repair is our relationship with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and country.

Cultural Fitness is our commitment to a relationship with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and culture, and the land. It is a relationship with history, the present and the future. We are focused on healing, strengthening, and enriching our relationships with First Nations people.

 

It’s everyone’s responsibility.

This is a story about all of us. We recognise that we are part of the problem and therefore need to be part of the solution. Cultural Fitness is a daily exercise of engagement, and active learning about building cultural safety, understanding white privilege and valuing diversity. It’s about living in ways that show respect, enabling truth-telling, working for justice and creating change.

Everyone has a part to play in the acknowledgement, repair and positive unfolding of our nation’s story.

Embracing all that we are,
will determine all that we can become.

Creating a Safer Future for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Relationships Australia South Australia and the Australian Institute of Social Relations are committed to the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through the Cultural Fitness training program.

We provide Cultural Fitness training for all staff.

Cultural fitness training is a fundamental requirement for the whole RASA workforce. It is an important element of our commitment to cultural safety in the workplace and to the national Relationships Australia Indigenous Network (RAIN) Action Plan on a Page.

It can be both challenging and empowering.

The Cultural Fitness interactive workshop evokes powerful and complex feelings as it challenges notions of white privilege and encourages non-Indigenous Australians to become aware of the impact invasion has had on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Participants engage in meaningful discussion about historical events that have shaped modern Australia and debate about the way forward. They are supported with practical steps to participate in creating a culturally safe environment – both within the workplace, and in our society.

Three women together at a workshop.

It’s an ongoing commitment.

Cultural Fitness is a continuous journey of daily self-reflection, engagement and learning to equip ourselves to respond to the issues, and to actively repair the damage wherever we can. Cultural Fitness is about truth telling, understanding, respect and responsibility, walking together, owning the past and building a better future.

TRUTH - TELLING

UNDERSTANDING

GIVE TIME

Understand that all healthy relationships require time, focus and effort.

LISTEN

Listen deeply and carefully –
walk in others’ shoes.

TAKE RESPONSIBILITY

Understand the practices and impacts of privilege and mainstream culture.

SIT TOGETHER

Engage with cultural differences,
including conflicts and disagreements.

RESPECT CULTURAL KNOWLEDGE

Recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have different cultural knowledge, ways of relating and parenting practices.

WALK TOGETHER

Take responsibility for the future
with the past behind us.

RESPECT

RESPONSIBILITY

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Sarah Decrea speaking.

Course

Cultural Fitness

Cultural Fitness is a two day course run at various points throughout the year. The first day of online learning provides background knowledge and context, and prepares participants for the second day of face-to-face learning. Cultural Fitness is available by application, as a Workforce Development course to organisations and industry and can be tailored for specific groups.

Respecting and nurturing our relationship with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people has a benefit for all Australians.

We’re in relationship with each other and our country.

TOGETHER

IN RELATIONSHIP

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