Connection to Country
WELCOME TO Tarntanya aDELAIDE
The Kaurna people are the traditional custodians of the Adelaide Plains on which Adelaide / Tarntanya and Adelaide Convention Centre are located. From our position on the banks of Karrawirra Pari (River Torrens), we encourage you to explore our city to see and experience the world’s oldest continuous culture and learn about the Kaurna story.
Acknowledgement of Country
Ngadlu tampinthi, Kaurna Miyurna yaitya yarta-mathanya Wama Tarntanyaku. Ngadlu tampinthi purkarna pukinangku, yalaka, tarrkarritya.
Parnaku yailtya, parnaku tapa purruna, parnaku yarta ngadlu tampinthi. Yalaka Kaurna Miyurna parnaku yailtya, tapa purruna, yarta kuma puru martinthi, puru warri-apinthi, puru tangka martulayinthi.
We acknowledge the Kaurna people are the traditional custodians of the Adelaide Plains and pay respects to Elders past, present and future.
We recognise and respect their cultural heritage, beliefs and relationship with the land. We acknowledge that they are of continuing importance to the Kaurna people living today.
Source: Kaurna Warra Karrpanthi
MARNI NIINA PUDNI – GOOD YOU CAME
Reflecting our positioning on the traditional lands of the Kaurna people, guests arriving at the Centre via North Terrace or the Riverbank Promenade are greeted by special Kaurna welcome signage, designed by First Nations artist and former team member, Ben Williams (pictured above with his artwork). Please read Ben’s artist statement for the inspiration behind his artwork.
COMMUNITIES
The circles represent the three venues of Adelaide Venue Management: Adelaide Convention Centre, Adelaide Entertainment Centre and Coopers Stadium. Along the three circles is a large line that runs past all three. This represents the River Torrens / Karrawirra Pari (karra ‘redgum’ + wirra ‘forest’ and the river was named after this locality, pari being the Kaurna word for ‘river’). Within each of those communities, there are smaller dots surrounding those larger circles. These dots represent the people within each community. We all live and work in separate places, but we work together as one community.
Statement of Commitment
Adelaide Venue Management – operators of Adelaide Convention Centre – has a proud and proactive history of recognising, respecting and acknowledging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
AVM’s vision is to be an industry leader in empowering the advancement of Aboriginal people through the creation of sustainable employment and career development opportunities within our venues.
Celebrating First Nations Culture
Adelaide along with Adelaide Convention Centre provide a range of opportunities for visitors to acknowledge, celebrate and immerse themselves in local First Nations culture, including:
- Adelaide Convention Centre’s Honest Goodness menu showcases a series of native Australian ingredients;
- The South Australian Museum (10 minute walk) is home to the largest and most comprehensive collection of Australian Aboriginal cultural material in the world;
- The Art Gallery of South Australia (10 minute walk) features a wonderful collection of artworks celebrating First Nations artists and culture, as well as playing host to ‘Tarnanthi’, an annual, city-wide celebration of contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art;
- The University of Adelaide North Terrace campus, also a short walk from the Centre, includes a Kaurna Learning Circle – an acknowledgement and celebration of the Kaurna people, culture and country, and a place for ceremony, cultural exchanges and learning;
- The Kaurna Walking Trail weaves through the City, linking 17 significant sites along the River Torrens (Karrawirra Pari) to Victoria Square (Tarntanyangga);
- Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute – Australia’s oldest Aboriginal-owned and managed multi-arts centre – showcases the vibrancy and diversity of contemporary Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander arts and cultures.
For clients visiting Adelaide, the City of Adelaide website provides a helpful local resource for ‘Welcome to Country’ and ‘Acknowledgement of Country’. For additional information and resources, please visit Reconciliation SA.