Dive into the world of Kaurna language with the warm guidance of Kaurna educator, Jack Buckskin. Join us for an event that offers a unique opportunity to learn essential words and embrace the art of delivering an Acknowledgement of Country at an event.
Jack's passion for preserving indigenous heritage will ignite your own curiosity. Jack's expertise and passion for Kaurna Language will make learning both engaging and enjoyable.Connect with fellow participants as you explore the beauty and significance of this indigenous language together. Get ready for a memorable experience that goes beyond words and leaves you with a deeper appreciation for culture and connection to this place we call home.
Expect to cover:
- Traditional Karuna greetings
- Contemporary Karuna greetings
- An Acknowledgment in Language
Jack Buckskin is a proud Kaurna, Narungga and Wirangu man who has spent his life learning and teaching Kaurna language and culture locally, nationally and internationally. Jack is the Founder and Managing Director of Kuma Kaaru Cultural Services, who are a community run and led company giving the opportunity for Aboriginal voices and business to be heard and recognised.
Jack’s passion for language and passing it on comes across in the way he delivers his sessions, Jack has taught many people and continues this work with both Aboriginal and Non Aboriginal people who have an interest in learning.
Kaurna, the language of the Adelaide Plains, has been reclaimed from written records, in the absence of any sound recordings, which were compiled in the mid-19th century. Without these records, principally the work of Dresden missionaries Christian Teichelmann and Clamor Schürmann, the re-introduction of Kaurna would not be possible. The interpretation of historical records relies on comparisons made between different observers and with neighbouring related languages, though there is still a large element of guesswork involved.
Historical records provide a reasonably solid foundation for the formation of new words to fill gaps and expand the vocabulary, and to formulate expressions enabling the language to be spoken once again. We will discuss strategies for re-introducing Kaurna, including songs, games and the formulaic method.
Kaurna now functions as an auxiliary language alongside English, where its emblematic role is paramount. It is frequently used in ‘Welcome to Country’ and ‘Acknowledgement of Kaurna’ speeches, within dance performances, in signage and in public works of art. There is recognition of extant Kaurna placenames, some in accordance with dual naming legislation, and strong demand for Kaurna names and translations for a wide range of entities.
Kaurna is now beginning to gain a foothold within the Kaurna community and within the homes of some families. Kaurna people are adopting Kaurna names for themselves, their children and their pets. Some young Kaurna people have developed considerable fluency, whilst Buckskin is raising his three children as at least semi-native speakers of Kaurna.
About Jack Buckskin. Nature Festival's Cultural Ambassador:
Jack Kanya Buckskin is a Kaurna, Narrunga and Wirangu man, born in the Adelaide Plains region who has for well over ten years dedicated himself to learning and sharing the Kaurna language and culture. He is the most fluent Kaurna speaker since efforts were initiated to reclaim and re-introduce the language. Jack became a fluent Kaurna speaker in adulthood through working directly with the historical materials, teaching the language, sending messages in Kaurna to his students, speaking the language to his dogs and later to his own children.
Jack began his engagement with the Kaurna language through dance performance. Together with Steve Gadlabarti Goldsmith he was part of the Taikurtinna Kaurna dance group, but has since formed his own dance group called Kuma Kaaru ‘one blood’. Jack and Kuma Kaaru have also been given the opportunity to showcase dance, language and culture internationally, having been invited to perform and speak in a number of countries, including Malaysia, India, Nauru, Canada, United States and Austria.’
Jack has taught Kaurna at Warriparinga through the School of Languages, Salisbury High School, Kaurna Plains School, Le Fevre HS and at Adelaide HS. He also worked at the University of Adelaide recording sound files for the Southern Kaurna Placenames project, Kaurna Warra Ngayirda Wingkurila and other KWP projects. Jack is raising his three young children Mahleah Kudlyu Kartanya, Vincent Nguku Warritya and Jackson Puntuntu Kudnuitya speaking Kaurna, who appear to be emerging as at least semi-native speakers of the language.
