Marni naa pudni

Marni naa pudni
Marni naa pudni — Kaurna language for good you all came

We acknowledge the Kaurna, Boandik and Barngala people, the original custodians of the Adelaide Plains, Mount Gambier and Whyalla, and the land on which Adelaide University campuses are built.

The Library’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Guide provides a starting point for finding Aboriginal library materials, resources and subject guides.

Ethical and responsible practice is essential in all research that involves or impacts Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people. It helps ensure your research is safe, respectful, and conducted in fair and mutual cultural exchange. The Library’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Guide provides information about the principles and protocols you will need to understand and apply before, during, and after your research.

The Library has created subject specific resource lists to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing. These lists highlight books, articles, chapters, repositories and more. These resources have been selected as they are:

  • Created by Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander authors, or explicitly include Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander perspectives;
  • Recent or seminal works;
  • Based in Australia;
  • Support self-determination.

These resource lists are designed to support staff who are interested in learning about and embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives, but aren’t yet sure what resources to include in their work. These resources are available to access within the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Guide

Yaitya Ngutupira comes from the Kaurna language, meaning about Aboriginal knowledge.

Yaitya Ngutupira [audio pronunciation] is a space and collection of physical and digital items from across the Library, brought together on the themes of linguistics, art, native title, health, social justice, politics, and biographical and cultural knowledge. The collection aims to highlight and present books written by Aboriginal authors and scholars.

Items in the Yaitya Ngutupira collection can now be searched directly online.

Tirkanthi Yangadlitya, meaning learning for the future, is a significant space within our library.

Located on Level 1 of the Barr Smith Library, this space has been designed to empower, to teach, and to carve out space for Aboriginal cultures and peoples. It has been turned from a computer lab and study space into an area that encourages learning, sharing, and discussion. 

After numerous consultations with our Aboriginal staff, students, and community, it was deemed that nature should inspire the colours, furnishings, and feel of the space. You might notice the colour of the paint, chairs, and rugs can all be found in natural settings, and that the overall feel of the space evokes a fraction of the calm you can find in nature. 

Even the smallest of elements have been considered in this room, for their effect and ability to enhance understanding of Aboriginal cultures. For example, we encourage you to cast an eye towards the pendants hanging on the far side of the space, and to marvel at the craftmanship of these hand-woven lamps. 

We invite all members of our community to use, enjoy, and learn from our Tirkanthi Yangadlitya space. If you are interested in booking this space, please email Ask Library with the details of your booking.

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