Kaurna Program at Upper Sturt Primary School

“There’s a sense of excitement that something really big is growing from this and it’s encompassing not just the school, but everything around the school that’s linked to it… I’m awed that my boys get to have this experience and know that it will be a visible part of their lives forevermore. It’s not going to be this hidden, misunderstood almost myth that you hear about as a child, that’s edited so heavily. These children have now got truth, they’ve got connection to Kaurna people, to the culture. They’ve got an experience of that culture that is visible to them, and they are a part of it. I’m really optimistic about what this means for the future of reconciliation and for the preservation of Kaurna culture and language.” Aboriginal Way recently visited Upper Sturt Primary School to learn about its Kaurna Program led by Kaurna Elder Uncle Tamaru, which only began in 2021, but is already going from strength to strength. When these children have the right to be a Governor, a Premier, a lawyer; when something about Aboriginal people crosses their bench, they’re not going to put it in the too hard basket – they’re actually going to deal with it because they will say ‘I know this culture, I know the people. I know Uncle, he’s pretty cool – he rides a Harley! Let’s work with them’.” - Uncle Tamaru Kaurna Program at Upper Sturt Primary School - SA Native Title (nativetitlesa.org)