Adam-Troy Francis, Colleen Raven Strangways and Danielle Dodd - Kungari-Black Swan

“Kungari – Wings Over Kurrangk”
Before the light breaks, Kurrangk (Coorong) lies in stillness—
waters like glass, holding the breath of Ruwe (Lands & Waters).
Mist curls low, and gliding through it comes KUNGARI —
black as the deep night, crowned with a beak like fire.
To the Ngarrindjeri, Kungari is more than bird.
Kungari is Ngartji—totem, law, kin.
Every beat of Kungari wings carries Ngurunderi’s journey, Every wingbeat echoes the paddles of
Ngurunderi’s canoe,
cutting through the dreaming rivers, shaping the Kurrangk , as Pondi (Murray Cod Fish) swayed, forming
stream and view.
Bold wings brush sky, silhouette of ancestral law and care— Ruwe weaving spirit into the flow of tides.
When Kungari glides low over the reeds, the Ngarrindjeri Nukkan (look deeply).
Kungari presence means ngoppun ruwe our country is breathing well—
Kurrangk waters are strong, pondi are running, seasons are true.
Kungari is the promise kept between Ngarrindjeri and ruwe.
Kungari teaches patience—waiting with the tides.
Kungari teaches courage—facing the storms.
Kungari teaches loyalty—returning always to the waters that raised Ngarrindjeri culture up.
And the Ngarrindjeri ngoppun within the shadows on the water,
for they yanun (talk/speak): Ngaitji-ngatta, ngaitji-ruwe—protect the spirit ancestors totem, protect the land
and waters.
As long as Kungari call drifts across the Kurrangk wind,
the lore will be kept,
Deep rooted like the reed rushes of Ngarrindjeri ruwe, soaring in Mi:wi (intuition/spirit/heart)—
like KUNGARI, the BLACK SWAN of forever.