Yesterday, Wednesday 9 December Yankunytjatjara Traditional Elder Ian Crombie conducted a Smoking Cleansing Ceremony of the Port Augusta Police Station complex.
The ceremony was initiated by Senior Community Constables Shirreen Jackson, Janomie Mayhew and Bradley Amos who all work in the Far North Local Service Area after they identified that a smoking cleansing ceremony had not been conducted in the building since it was built 1996!
Smoking ceremonies are an Aboriginal custom which involves the burning of native plants to produce smoke acknowledging their ancestors and paying respect to country. The ceremony cleanses the area and removes bad energy and spirits, allowing them to move on which leaves the space feeling safer and less stressful.
Also present at the ceremony was Adnyamathanha Elder Glenise Coulthard, and Wankangurru/Adnyamathanha woman, Lavene McKenzie to help provide cultural information.
Officer in Charge of the Far North LSA Superintendent Roberts said “The cleansing ceremony is of significant cultural importance and helps reinforce SA Police’s commitment to the ‘Statement of Reconciliation’ by reassuring the first nations people that there are no residual spirits or bad energy within the police complex.”
