Our Heritage

The lands on which the Raukkan Trail and surrounding areas are located is known as Ngarrindjeri ruwi (land). These lands have been home to the traditional owners of the lands and waters of the River Murray (Murrundi), Lower Lakes and Coorong (Kurrangk)  for thousands of years.

Ngarrindjeri ruwi is an expansive broad triangular stretch of land from Murray Bridge on the lower Murray River, across to the southern tip of Fleurieu Peninsula and down to the granites near Kingston, south of the Coorong. Regionally, it encompasses Wellington, Tailem Bend, Meningie, the Murray Mouth, Hindmarsh Island, Goolwa, Currency Creek, Port Elliot, and Victor Harbor, the Encounter Bay area as well as the eastern scarp of the Mount Lofty Ranges.

The Ngarrindjeri people are the traditional owners of these lands  the lower Murray River, lakes and Coorong. The fertility of the lands and a healthy river supported healthy populations of waterfowl, mussels, cockles, salt and fresh water fish, turtles, kangaroos, possums, native fruits and vegetables. Living in close communities there was [plentiful access to clean waters, foods, medicines, shelter and warmth.

Widely known as "outstanding craftsmen" specialising in basketry, matting and nets with records indicating that nets of more than 100 metres (330 ft) long were used to catch emus. It was claimed by colonists that the nets they made for fishing were superior to those used by Europeans.

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The Ngarrindjeri comprises of many language clans or laklinyeri, and is associated with the Jarildekald, Tanganekald, Meintangk and Ramindjeri, within these tribal groups existed 18 clans (Lakinyeri) that make up the nations of Ngarrindjeri people.

Raukkan

meaning meeting place lies within Yaraldi (Jarildekald) country and was for thousands of years an important meeting place.

The lands of the Yaraldi are located on the eastern side of Lake Alexandrina and the Murray River. Extending over some 1,300 square kilometres

Yaraldi is one of the many dialects of the Ngarrindjeri language and is known as Yarildewallin (Jaralde speech)

For generations Yaraldi people have contributed significantly in the exchange in culture including the preservation of history and heritage and importantly the language.

The Ngarrindjeri first encountered early Europeans when they witnessed the arrival of Charles Sturt in 1830 which was followed by the proclamation of South Australia in 1836. Sturt had been most impressed with the waterways and the country of the Ngarrindjeri that his reports were instrumental in the colonization scheme of South Australia and resulting in the encroachment of Europeans into Ngarrindjeri lands. It was around this time that A smallpox epidemic spread down the River Murray from the colony of New South Wales to the Adelaide plains and beyond, decimating Aboriginal groups along the River and spreading inland. It is estimated that up to 50% of those in affected populations died, with the highest mortality among children and pregnant women. When the colonists arrived in South Australia in 1836, the Aboriginal groups they encountered had been devastated by the impact of the epidemic.

  • 1836

    The first employment of a “Protector” of Aboriginal people, the first public service appointment in South Australia.

  • 1843

    The South Australian Company took up lands around Lake Albert for sheep and cattle - Land was cleared for grazing and cattle herding, resulting in a decrease in native plant and animal-based food.

  • 1852

    Navigational markers erected between Goolwa and Wellington allowing for safe passage across the lakes by paddle boats.

  • 1859

    The Aborigines' Friends' Association was granted 107 hectares (260 acres) in the area and established a mission named Point Mcleay, later renamed Raukkan in 1982.

  • 1864

    Taplin published some of the first Australian translations of Bible passages into Ngarrindjeri. He recorded many of the customs and stories of the Ngarrindjeri and was greatly respected by them.

  • 1869

    Pont McLeay Church built under the direction of Rev George Taplin.

  • 1872

    Writer, public speaker and inventor, David Unaipon Born.

  • 1896

    Aboriginal men and women at Raukkan were granted the vote and voted in state and federal elections.

  • 1914

    Men from Point McLeay were among the first Aboriginal men in the state to enlist in World War 1.

  • 1916

    Responsibility for Raukkan moved to South Australia's Chief Protector of Aborigines and it became an Aboriginal reserve.

  • 1966

    The Aboriginal Lands Trust Act means titles to Aboriginal reserves in South Australia is now held and managed by Aboriginal people.

  • 1974

    Administration of the community was handed to the Ngarrindjeri and today managed by the Raukkan Community Council .

  • 1982

    Point McLeay was renamed Raukkan.

Today, Raukkan is a thriving community governed by Ngarrindjeri community members.
Regarded as the home and heartland of Ngarrindjeri Country, Raukkan provides a warm welcome to visitors and tourists wishing to experience a deeper cultural understanding, engage with nature and learn about the local history and heritage.
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