Yorke Peninsula Council is proud to partner with Narungga Nations Aboriginal Corporation and Nharangga Aboriginal Progress Association to deliver the Narungga (traditionally spelled Nharangga) Cultural Day on Sunday, 22 May.

The free event will be a chance to visit the Minlagawi Gum Flat Reserve, near Minlaton, and learn about traditional science, knowledge, skills, culture and caring for Country.

Narungga Elders and people will host guided walks for community members to learn about the wells, scar trees, tools, string and net making, cultural burning, storytelling and bush tucker.

“We are very proud Nharangga people with a deep connection to Country and culture, and with tens of thousands of years of knowledge and expertise, there is a lot to celebrate and share with the broader community,” Nharangga Aboriginal Progress Association’s Lesley Wanganeen said.

There will be a focus on what Minlagawi Gum Flat looked like, time scale of Narungga connection to Country, importance of Country to Narungga, and Narungga skills and adaptation.

Also on offer will be an artist market, Newchurch Horticulture tastings and products, children’s activities, music and yarning.

“The Narungga Cultural Day is an opportunity for people to come together and learn about Narungga people’s traditions,” Mayor Darren Braund said.

“This will be a day to learn, build respectful relationships and preserve and pass on cultural knowledge.”

Minlagawi holds particular cultural significance as the meeting place between the Warri (west) people of the wildu (eagle) totem, the Windara (east) people of the garrdi (emu) totem and the Dhilba (south) people of the widhadha (shark) totem.

For ceremonies, trade and meetings, there was ample food, water and resources to accommodate several hundred people.

The adjacent lake was once fresh water surrounded by open grasslands and home to ducks, swans, kangaroos, wallabies, emus, possums, bandicoots, wombats, lizards and abundant fruit, seeds and nuts.

The event is proudly presented by Narungga Nations Aboriginal Corporation, Nharangga Aboriginal Progress Association and Yorke Peninsula Council with funding support from the Landscape SA Northern and Yorke Grassroots Grants program.

To register for the event visit https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/narungga-cultural-day-22-may-2022-tickets-330273154897.