Spearing flounder at night, fishing with pelicans, and finding a stingray in the stars; these are among the experiences people will hear about as part of Sea Country Stories.
As part of National Science Week, the display and virtual platform will transport visitors to an experience of being on Country, at Lake Alexandrina, in the Coorong region. Hosted at the South Australian Maritime Museum, visitors listen to stories that link ancient and modern fishing cultures, and inspire the next generation of Sea Country custodians.
Ngarrindjeri elder Major 'Moogy' Sumner AM demonstrates how to make kaiki, the freshwater reed spears.
"These stories you can sit down and listen to, and realise they're not just stories. They're messages of lore, there are morals to these stories. When you learn about these stories, it teaches you about the land that you live in," he said.
The demonstration of the ancient skill of making the kaiki is First Nations science. First peoples practice science in all aspects of life on Country, from tools crafted and fish eaten, to fire management and agriculture. Science, history and educational institutions around Australia are on a journey to incorporate such Indigenous knowledges into their research, communication and practice.
Visitors to the museum can also enjoy the pondi, the murray cod. A massive sculpture that was hand-woven over ten months by Ellen Trevorrow and her people. The pondi honours the creation story of the River Murray.
