Reconciliation Action Plan
The Lower Eyre Council’s first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) provides a framework to be inclusive in our work and contribute to national reconciliation by building strong relationships with First Nations Peoples. It reinforces Council’s vision to strengthen our coastal and rural communities through listening to, learning from and serving their communities by acknowledging the Bargara and Nauo peoples as the original Custodians of the Lower Eyre District and their spiritual relationship with the land. The Chief Executive Officer will champion our RAP to the community, Council and Staff.
Please click here to view Lower Eyre Council's Reconciliation Action Plan July 2024 - December 2025.
Nauo artist, Danielle James, Barngarla artist, Emmalene Richards and community artist (Mirning, Wirangu and Kokatha woman), Rubina Burgoyne were commissioned to create three original paintings that were then digitised for inclusion in the plan.
- Mythology by Rubina Burgoyne Mythology by Rubina Burgoyne
- Maldhi Yarda - Night on Country by Emmalene Richards Maldhi Yarda - Night on Country by Emmalene Richards
- Waldya by Danielle James Waldya by Danielle James
Aboriginal Australian mythology. according to Nauo Beliefs, the spirits of the departed are thought to dwell on the islands in Spencer Gulf. George French Angas wrote in 1847 the following legend:
"They affirm that the Nauo tribe was once entirely cut off by the great and powerful warrior styled Willoo (eaglehawk). This a formidable individual attempted to possess himself of all the women, and destryoed every man except two, who escaped by climbing into thick trees. Their names were Karkantya and Poona (two smaller species of hawk). Willoo climbed after them, but they broke off the branch upon which he sat, and he fell to the groun; that instant a dog deprived hum of virilitm when he immediately died, and was transforemed into an eagle-hawk. A small lizard is supposed to be the originator of the sexes. The men distinguished it by the name ibirri, the women call it a waka: the men destroy the male lizards, and the women the females".
This artwork tells the story of night time on country, the Moon (bira) is an important feature of culture on country and the many stories, animals, birdlife, reptiles the nocturnal life that connect with the moon and how the moon s a big part of many elements of culture on country at nigt. The Kangaroo (Kuppirri or Kupeeree) the Big Red kangaroo that is seen jumping away in the distance tells of a dreamtime story that also connects the possum. The water source and the many landscapes and layers of country that create formation that can be seen at night and the White Owl Windha the knowledge holder and wise one of the night always watching over the country and telling wisdoms of the ancients of the land.
Our Nauo creation story tells of a giant eagle (Waldya) rising from the ocean (Warna), flying up to the sky (wirra-nga) across Nauo Country getting into mischief and seeing (Nhagu) everything below as he flies higher and higher into the sky (Wira) towards the sun (Dyirndu), drying off his feathers. Waldya flew over the trees (Warnda) hills, sand dunes and ocean, seeing where the animals gathered and journeyed. It was very hot (Garla-garla) and as he looked down he saw his fellow animals and birds, big and small (Marna and Minya) were thirsty and in need of water (Gabi) At great speed, Waldya dove down towards the ground (Munda) cracking open the surface with his beak and breaking open the hard rock (Barnda). Thanks to Waldya, water began to pour out (Gabi ngamana) of the ground forming water soaks for all to drink from. After this, Waldya flew into the night (Maldhi) sky amongst the stars (Burli) and onto his next adventure.