Kaurna

Kaurna People /'ɡaʊnə'/, occasionally kaːnə are the Indigenous inhabitants of the Adelaide Plains in South Australia. Historically, they were often referred to as the "Adelaide Tribe" in colonial literature, though their territory extended far beyond the city. The Kaurna name comes from the word kornar,

meaning 'people.' Over time, the Kaurna language and cultural practices have been revitalized, particularly through educational programs and community-led initiatives.

Kaurna Territory

The traditional territory of the Kaurna people extends from Cape Jervis in the south to Port Wakefield in the north, covering areas near Crystal Brook, Snowtown, Blyth, Riverton, and several other localities along the eastern shore of the Gulf St. Vincent. Their territory also overlaps with neighboring groups such as the Narungga and Ngarrindjeri peoples, with whom they shared cultural ties and linguistic similarities.

In the late 19th and 20th centuries, efforts to document and preserve the Kaurna language and heritage increased, driven by a desire to reclaim and strengthen the community's cultural identity.[1]