Significance
Kudnarto is a difficult woman to write about. She only plays a cameo role within the pages of history. Only once does Kudnarto leave the wings and enter the stage of life to impress her own indelible mark in official records. Her own words, though brief, reflected the strength of her verbal patterns. On all other occasions she is interpreted by an exclusively white male audience. Thus the social issues that the European males considered important found its way into the letter books and newspapers. The issues she thought were important never reached the printed word. That Kudnarto had an effect on all who met her is beyond dispute. The newspapers and the Protector of Aborigines all spoke highly of her. This is made all the more relevant because of her youth. She had the skill and ability to capture both the hearts and attention of those whom she met. She strove to become a woman in her own right but faced strong opposition. The greatest opposition came from the man whom she loved. It is this opposition that may have caused her early death.
Kudnarto led the way for Kaurna women in particular and all indigenous peopel in general to face European culture on equal terms. She had the courage to enter white society on her terms and never lose her humanity as a consequence. Although she faced tragedy and poverty, she accepted her lot with humble humility. She uttered no official complaint. She lived in the hearts of her contemporaries as she lives on in ours.
Thus the significance of the Kudnarto story as it pertains to the healing process of South Australian reconciliation is self evident. It deals in a very personal way with our relationships as human beings faced with people from vastly differing cultures and attitudes.
The words from the poem "At One" expresses similar sentiments for each woman. Many people feel the words strongly in relation to Kudnarto.
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At One
The ochre plain opens wide
To accept the dust of life,
Tall trees wave their arms around
And leaves they fall like tears.
We caress the earth with hand and love
Your spirit now set free,
Soon time with gentle whispers goes
To sing your rivers through our dream.
In answer to the words we say
The ether fills with stone
And every day we learn your way
Until we come to you as one.
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