Reconciliation Day to include repatriation ceremony
24 May 2021Reconciliation Day in the Barossa will have special significance this year with a repatriation ceremony of Aboriginal ancestral remains.
First Peoples remains discovered last week at Rowland Flat will be interred at the Barossa Bushgardens in a public ceremony at 11am on Saturday, 29 May led by Ngadjuri elder and cultural specialist, Quenten Agius.
Members of the public are invited to attend the ceremony, which forms part of Reconciliation Day celebrations from 11am to 4pm. Activities include Welcome to Country, indigenous dancing, storytelling, bushfood planting, and an opportunity to meet Ngadjuri elders.
Mayor Bim Lange said it would be a significant moment that symbolises the coming together of cultures during Reconciliation Week.
This is another important step in connecting with and understanding the First Peoples of the Barossa
“Council, RAWsa and Reconciliation Barossa are so pleased to be working side-by-side on behalf of the Ngadjuri nation to facilitate this highly significant ritual.
“This is another wonderful example of how we can support conversations and activities that enhance our understanding of First Peoples connection and retention of knowledge.”
Quenten said he would like to thank RAWsa for supporting the Ngadjuri nation in this venture.
“This is about our people, our culture and coming together as one mob with the wider community,” he said.
This is a small step in us all coming together and sharing culture as one