SANTS News – December

Monthly native title updates

Happy holidays from SA Native Title Services

The SANTS office will be closed over the Christmas/New Year period starting Thursday, 25 December 2025 with normal business hours resuming on Monday, 5 January 2026.

We also wish to advise that certain staff members will be taking extended leave before and/or after these dates to recharge, leading into the new year.  

Wishing you a happy and safe holiday season from the whole 
team at SANTS!

Country, Culture, People publication

This year has seen SANTS embark on an ambitious project, documenting and reflecting upon the last three decades of native title in our state. Country, Culture, People is a tribute to the strength and enduring connection between these foundations of Aboriginal identity and wellbeing.

Perhaps the most comprehensive element of this project is the commemorative Country, Culture, People publication, offering an in-depth overview of the history of native title in South Australia.

Each PBC in the state is featured, with a summary of their journey to native title and what it means to them, alongside insightful pieces breaking down what native title is, the way native title is navigated through anthropology, and a breakdown of Country, culture and people in the context of native title.

There is a limited print run, so get in touch at aboriginalway@nativetitlesa.org if you would like a copy, otherwise the online version can be found, along with other parts of the Country, Culture, People project at the link below.

Congratulations to new PBC Directors

Congratulations to the new directors of South Australian PBC’s!

SANTS CEO Keith Thomas is keen to catch up with new PBC Chairs and Boards following the current AGM season.

Please get in touch with the SANTS office to book in a time to meet in the new year.

Photo from the 2025 PBC Leaders Forum in Murray Bridge

Future water framework set to be finalised

Following several rounds of co-design workshops across the state, the South Australian Framework to Advance First Nations’ Water Interests is scheduled to be finalised in April 2026.

The final sessions of consultation were held in Port Augusta on 25-26 November, with desired outcomes including identifying and progressing First Nations water priorities, strengthening cultural authority in water management and securing access to water for economic, social, environmental, spiritual and cultural purposes.

Wirangu man and then Far West Coast Aboriginal Corporation Chair, Jack Johncock, said the conversation was “too long coming” and that their mission was clear – reclaim control over water resources that have sustained their people for thousands of years. 

“I think this is a good start – what we’re doing here. We’ve got representation from all the PBCs around the state and it’s been far too long coming, having dialogue with government about water rights for Indigenous people,” Mr Johncock said.

These workshops were conducted by the Department for Environment and Water (DEW), with assistance from SA Native Title Services.

Listen to the episode of Aboriginal Way about the recent water forums at the link below.

Photo from the recent water forum in Port Augusta

SA Sea Country Commonwealth Marine
Parks Forum

First Nations groups from sea country areas across South Australia recently came together at a forum to discuss Aboriginal engagement in Commonwealth marine parks for the first time.

Led by Parks Australia in collaboration with SANTS, the two-day forum held in Normanville was the first time the coastal PBC groups came together with both state and Commonwealth government representatives to discuss marine park management. The workshop was an important first step in resetting Aboriginal engagement in marine parks with further dialogue and actions in the pipeline for 2026.

The groups represented were:

• First Nations of South East
• Nori Aboriginal Corporation
• Ngarrindjeri Aboriginal Corporation
• Kaurna Yerta Aboriginal Corporation
• Narungga Aboriginal Corporation
• Nukunu Wapma Thura Aboriginal Corporation
• Nauo Aboriginal Corporation
• Wirangu Nauo Aboriginal Corporation
• Wirangu Aboriginal Corporation
• Far West Coast Aboriginal Corporation

Listen to the episode of Aboriginal Way about the Sea Country Forum via the link below.

Photo from the recent Marine Parks Forum in Normanville

Hopeful for ALT Lands Handback to PBC’s

SANTS CEO Keith Thomas has met with the Attorney General to request the development of a policy around the handback of land, held by the Aboriginal Lands Trust, to its Traditional Owners.

The Trust holds 65 land titles across South Australia currently, comprising of a diverse portfolio of land uses, assets and lease arrangements.

SANTS hopes that these recent discussions will lead to consultations to facilitate this process in the new year.

Out now: Spring edition of Aboriginal Way

The spring edition of Aboriginal Way was released a little late this year to ensure the recent First Nations of the South East and Ngarrindjeri native title consent determination could be included.

Other stories in this edition include:

• Kaurna healing through reburials at Wangayarta
• MLDRIN takes federal government to court over fractured rock resource plan
• Kaurna Yerta Chair speaks out over planned golf course redevelopment
• SANTS Future Leaders road trip
• Historic fire management ignites Wirangu Nauo community

…and lots more in this jam-packed edition! Click the link below to read the full edition online, or subscribe for future editions to be delivered straight to your mailbox or inbox.

In case you missed it…

The post SANTS News – December first appeared on SA Native Title.