The Murray River has long been a place of importance for Australia's First Nation's people and local leaders are working to make sure the Riverland's Aboriginal community continues to prosper.
The Riverland and Mallee region in South Australia is home to a number of different Aboriginal language groups, including the Ngarrindjeri people in the Southern Lakes and Coorong and the Erawirung people further upstream.
Aboriginal history in the region is estimated to be as much as 40,000 years old, according to research undertaken in 2019.
This year's NAIDOC Week theme is Heal Country, something Riverland NAIDOC committee chair Christine Abdulla said was particularly important to Aboriginal people in the Riverland.
"It's about time everyone came together as one and started recognising our country needs to be held and in a way that recognises our sacred sites in the Riverland," she said.
Taking mental health into the ring
Locals gathered for a different sort of training at the Riverland Boxing Club over the weekend … swapping the boxing gloves for a First Aid kit to talk all things culture and mental health.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health First Aid training is designed to empower people with the necessary tools to manage mental health issues among their friends and their community.
Event organiser Sam Mitchell said it was a crucial training program that addressed a "very real issue" in the community.
"It gives you a bit more of an insight on some of the effects, why some of our people are experiencing mental health illnesses," Mr Mitchell said.
The training, held in Loxton over the weekend, provided a historical, cultural and social context behind some of the mental health challenges that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people may be facing.
Mr Mitchell said the feedback he has received from partipants about the training program had been encouraging, as well as humbling, with people raising the importance of their Welcome to Country.
"We do our Acknowledgment of Country and that is so important when it comes to welcoming people to the community," Mr Mitchell said.
He said further first aid mental health training programs will be rolled out in September to engage more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in the community, and empower them with the tools to seek help and support.
Group fosters reconciliation message
Fishing is something loved by the Riverland community, so a decade ago the local Aboriginal Sobriety Group thought it would be a way to get people talking about reconciliation.
Aboriginal Sobriety Group senior manager Don Scordo said that, each year, around 100 Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people gather at Berri's Martin Bend for a day of fishing and to share knowledge about Aboriginal cuilture.
"In 2019, we might have pulled in 20 fish and that's probably the most we've ever had — so, fish production wise, it's not that good," Mr Scordo said.
"It's all about the reconciliation and working together because that's what we're working towards.
"It gives us a sense of pride, of knowing that the land we're on is Aboriginal land. We need to educate people because I feel like we're still behind in regards to that."
Accolades aplenty
Riverland locals have been acknowledged for their ongoing work and support for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community at a special awards ceremony in Berri.
The recipients of the awards range from health care professionals, educators, child care workers, artists and sportspeople, all of whom have worked tirelessly to empower the community.
Dudley Campell received the Scholar of the Year Award, which paid tribute to the ongoing work he does to tackle drug and alcohol addiction in the community.
Mr Campell said he hoped to continue learning about primary healthcare in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
"Just supporting my own mob in addressing some of the issues, regardless if it's around drugs and alcohol, or just any other areas, just empowering them to make better choices in life," Mr Campell said.
Donna Quinn — who was awarded Person of the Year at the ceremony — was recognised for her work in training junior doctors.
Like Mr Campell, Ms Quinn was surprised but humbled to receive the recognition during NAIDOC Week.
"It means a day of celebration for my culture, and the Torres Strait Islanders. It's a day I'm extremely happy to celebrate, and a week everyone should take the time out to enjoy," Ms Quinn said.
"I just want to keep working in the community and be a good role model."
