Audio: Vince Coulthard: Indigenous traditions run deep at Wilpena

ABC Radio National with Matthew Crawford:

According to the tradition of the Adnyamathanha people, the indigenous inhabitants of this part of South Australia, Wilpena Pound was formed when two Dreamtime serpents travelled south and carved the landscape in their wake.

Vince Coulthard, the chair of the Adnyamathanha Land Association, says it is a source of great pride for the local indigenous people that Wilpena is an attraction for both local and international visitors.

But it is also a place "of importance to us. It reminds us of our laws," he says.

"Wilpena Pound is a very sacred and significant part of the world...and there are an enormous amount of art galleries and so forth around the place, a lot of living archaeological significance.

It certainly is a very special place to the Adnyamathanha people," he says.

Vince's father was one of the first indigenous tour guides in the region, taking four wheel drive tours through the desert and pointing out the bush foods along the way.

Eighteen years ago the community also set up a cultural awareness tourism centre in the region.

What is important now is the creation of jobs.

Last year a partnership was formed between the indigenous community and the resort to employ more indigenous staff in all aspects of the resort.

"People come to Australia to see the Great Barrier Reef, they come to see Uluru, and they come to see Wilpena Pound and they come to see Aboriginal people..and we should be able to offer that," Vince says.

Vince Coulthard, the chair of the Adnyamathanha Land Association

Image: Wilpena Pound Elder and AndyAMmathanha man, Vince Coulthard with Matthew Crawford (Pic: Matthew Crawford)