TQEH - Kaurna Naming in the Kangkanthi Building
Kaurna language has been incorporated into the design of the new clinical services building — Kangkanthi — at TQEH to provide cultural connection, recognition and learning. The selection of the Kaurna words and their meanings have been developed through extensive engagement with Kaurna Elders, community leaders and consumers. The meaning and stories will be shared to bring visibility to Indigenous narratives for both staff and consumers.
The name for the new clinical services building is Kangkanthi, which is pronounced 'gun-gun-dee'. This means 'to care' in Kaurna.
Within the Emergency Department
Wardlipari is the name of the Safe Assessment Unit. Wardlipari is the Kaurna name for The Milky Way. In Kaurna culture, the stars are the campfires of the ancestors’ homes.
Yartapuulti is the name of the Emergency Extended Care Unit. This is the name that the Kaurna gave to the land around the Port River and is also means place of sleep or rest. It connects to stories about their ancestors, the birds migrating to the region, and fish of the mangroves.
Rehabilitation units
Tarnma Rehabilitation Unit is on level 3. Tarnma means Banksia. The banksia plant is an important cultural species providing materials, food, fire torch and medicine for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The Banksia can symbolise purity and is often used to filter water and medicinally to treat sore throats.
Karra Rehabilitation Unit is on level 4 and is the Kaurna word for Red Gum. Red gum trees are an important cultural species providing shelter, materials, food, and medicine for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Staff meeting rooms
Kaurna Totems were also selected to name staff meeting rooms throughout the building.
- Kardi — emu
- Yampu — dolphin
- Kuula — koala
- Kurraka — magpie
- Pirlta — brush-tailed possum
- Tarnta — male red kangaroo
- Yaltu — pelican
- Wartu — wombat