‘Disappointed’: One Nation video criticises Aboriginal greeting sign
An Aboriginal Elder is surprised that One Nation’s star SA candidate doesn’t understand a common Kaurna greeting, after derogatory comments Cory Bernardi made on social media about an Adelaide Uni sign.
In a video posted on social media, One Nation’s lead upper house candidate Cory Bernardi claimed a banner at Adelaide University showing the Kaurna greeting “Niina Marni” – meaning “hello, how are you?” – was “empty symbolism” and “trying to erase our history”.
“Here I am at the Niina Marni Centre. I don’t know what that is, and nor does anyone else, to be honest,” he said, standing alongside the greeting sign. The Kaurna people are the original inhabitants of Adelaide and the Adelaide Plains.
“Why are we putting names or banners or flags on our university campuses that don’t mean anything to anyone?” Bernardi asked in the video posted on Instagram.
“It’s empty symbolism, and it’s trying to erase our history. We need to protect and preserve our history because it’s what has made us great today.”
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There is no Niina Marni Centre at Adelaide University, with the commonly understood Kaurna greeting roughly translating to “hello, how are you?” in English.
Kaurna Elder Tim Agius said he was surprised Bernardi did not understand what Niina Marni means, saying it was disappointing to see him comment on Australia’s First Nation people’s culture and heritage instead of focusing on policies that benefit South Australians.
Asked about Bernardi’s comments that a sign with Niina Marni was “trying to erase our culture”, Agius said he was unsure how celebrating one culture “contributes to eliminating other people’s history and culture”.
“I think there are many people in South Australia and in the country who are of different cultures, and I think there’s more regard and respect for people of culture than there are people who don’t respect people’s culture,” he said.
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Agius said he was glad to see widespread interest in Kaurna language and culture across the state, including in the SA education system.
“I think the One Nation party should be more concerned about policies that help change people’s lives, that help improve people’s lives – fix the health system, fix up the cost of living crisis and worry about what’s going to happen with this conflict all around the world,” he said.
“I think there are bigger issues to worry about than welcoming someone or saying hello to someone in a different language.”
A spokesperson for One Nation declined to comment when asked if the party supported Cory Bernardi’s statements.
An Adelaide University spokesperson said the institution “is proud to share, honour and promote its legacy and continued practice of First Nations languages, culture and people as an important part of Australia’s heritage”.
According to a recent DemosAU/Ace Strategies Poll published exclusively by InDaily, One Nation could gain two to three upper house seats in the upcoming state election.
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