Caring For Country

Country needs all of us to care

I hold a license to occupy 3.5 hectares of my traditional bloodline Country at Kanyanyapilla in the Willunga Basin, McLaren Vale (adjacent to L50K). Since 2021, Kanyanyapilla is undergoing cultural, ecological and spiritual renewal, regenerating yerta (Country) and cultural practices. This is a journey of self-determination to care for Country and kin.

TIKKANDI PROGRAM

Connecting First Nations young people to Country

In my language, Tikkandi means to sit on Country. This Traditional Owner-led cultural education program strengthens young people’s identity and well-being through seasonal immersions at Kanyanyapilla.

First Nations young people gather in ceremonies, sit in yarning circles and learn about bicultural history, traditional plants, language, story-telling, and oral traditions. They also help heal the cultural landscape cleared since colonisation, regenerating local native plants, caring for Country, and learning about climate resilience.

We are grateful for foundational support for the Tikkandi Program from Landscape Hills and Fleurieu and Green Adelaide through the landscape levy. My vision is to grow the Tikkandi cultural education program in the future so that more young people in our community can connect with and care for Country.

Help us strengthen young First Nations people’s identity and well-being at Kanyanyapilla.

WINDA WODLI – OWL'S HOME

The Owl’s Home, where the wisdom of Country sits at Kanyanyapilla

Kanyanyapilla is where my Old People camped long ago. The Winda Wodli represents my recovery and renewal of home, our Spirit of Place.

The Winda Wodli has been made possible through the Kevin Taylor Legacy and TCL. I first met Kevin in 2001, and we later collaborated biculturally on the Victoria Square Master Plan – Tarndanyangga (now called Tartanyangga). The Winda Wodli symbolises our friendship; every time a full moon rises, our shared stories will be remembered.

I also deeply appreciate the support of Kate Cullity of TCL, Phil Harris of Troppo Architects, and the many others who have supported my vision of having culture sit on Country again. My biggest heartfelt thanks to you all.

WIRRA MAI – FOOD FOREST

Place of traditional medicine and food plants

Plants hold ancient wisdom and the power to heal. In 2022, the creation of Wirra Mai began at Kanyanyapilla to renew Country with traditional food and medicine plants. The land was heavily farmed in the past and is now beginning to heal. Over three planting seasons, Wirra Mai has grown to include twenty-five native plant species.

Wirra Mai is a bicultural learning place where cultural and ecological knowledge comes together through caring for Country and community cultural education. Here, people learn about connecting to nature through the changing seasons, which can be observed in the plants.

This season, we continue to plant and nurture Wirra Mai, with 300 local native plants returning to Country, growing our forest of food and medicine. Your support will ensure Wirra Mai grows into the future.

KAUWE YERTA - WATER FOR COUNTRY

Water is sacred; all living beings depend upon a fresh source of water

Trusted water capture and supply is a key priority for Kanyanyapilla as there are no mains and minimal rainwater storage – our water needs were initially met through hand watering using 2L milk cartons and an off-site mains water source. This method was not sustainable in the long term and posed future challenges in a changing climate.

Through reconciliation partnerships and relationships with SA Water, Slingsby, and individuals, we are progressing water security to help increase native plant coverage and biodiversity and enable a cooler localised microclimate.

Our education efforts, aimed at highlighting the sacred value of water in the cultural landscape and the challenges posed by the changing climate, are an ongoing process. We engage with young people, partners, and the broader community, sharing our story of water and the recovery of Country. Your support is crucial in this continuous journey.

KARLA YERTA - FIRE GROUND

Seeding fire back on Country

Over 90% of our natural grasslands have been lost since colonisation in 1836, impacting traditional fire practices and causing mass extinction of species. Now, we’re regenerating Country at Kanyanyapilla through native grassland restoration, reigniting cultural knowledge systems and fire practices.

This Traditional Owner-led project of renewal has been seeded in partnership with the Fleurieu Environment Centre, Foundation of National Parks and Wildlife, Green Adelaide, District Council of Yankalilla, Seeding Natives, Fleurieu Coast Community Nursery, and volunteers of all ages as part of the Fire Wise project. Together, we’re regenerating Kanyanyapilla with fire-wise native grasses in the centre of the Willunga Basin (Mullawirra Yerta – Dry Forest Country).

Through seeding and community cultural education planting events, we have returned over ten native grass species to Country through direct seeding and planting more than 800 volunteer-grown tubestock. It is our aim to bring traditional and ecological knowledge systems together to restore more native grassland at Kanyanyapilla and beyond.

KANYANYAPILLA SUPPORTERS

We acknowledge the organisations and individuals who support Kanyanyapilla’s cultural, ecological, and spiritual renewal.

If you would like to become a supporter of Kanyanyapilla, please email us at yarn@kanyanyapilla.com.au