A Journey Along the Glenelg River with Uncle Ken
- Uncle Ken
- Mar 25
- 2 min read
When you paddle a canoe beside Uncle Ken Jones, you’re not just exploring a river, you’re being immersed in thousands of years of Boandik knowledge, story, and cultural practice.
As Boandik Elder and founder of Bush Adventures, Uncle Ken guided the About Bush Adventure Therapy group through the Glenelg River, turning a recreational outing into a powerful cultural learning experience. His influence is felt in every part of the journey, from the way the paddles dip gently in the water to the quiet moments of observation and story that unfold along the banks.
The Glenelg River winds through limestone valleys and coastal bushland, offering a unique opportunity to experience the intersection of ecology and Indigenous heritage.
For the Aabat group, this wasn’t just about canoeing, it was about learning to read Country.
Under Uncle Ken’s guidance, participants:
Heard Boandik creation stories tied to the river and its surroundings.
Learned about the seasonal cycles of local plants and animals.
Discussed the importance of waterways as trading routes, food sources, and spiritual paths.
Practised quiet time and “slow time” connecting deeply with the sights, sounds, and smells of the river.
These sessions are part of a broader vision: helping people build respect, curiosity, and connection to the land they live on.
The Aabat group represented a mix of ages and backgrounds, and their time on the water created opportunities for open yarns, a format that Ken has mastered over decades of cultural education.
He doesn’t teach through lectures. He teaches through story, sensory experience, and place. And the Glenelg River, rich with cultural significance, is the perfect classroom.
As they paddled through calm waters and paused on riverbanks, the group reflected on:
The interconnectedness of Country and community.
The enduring knowledge held by Elders.
The need for ongoing reconciliation through cultural immersion, education, and environmental care.
This session, like many of his Bush Adventures, is about more than tourism. It’s about reviving language, sharing story, and healing Country.
Whether it's Glenelg, Mount Gambier, Cape Douglas or Lake George, Uncle Ken’s presence transforms each visit into a cultural awakening. For the Aabat group, this was an unforgettable experience, and for Country, another ripple in the ongoing story of care.
Read more and view the Facebook post here:
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