Ramindjeri

Ramindjeri were a patrilinial clan ("lakinyeri" in Ngarrindjeri language) of Australian Aboriginal people forming part of the Kukabrak (since popularised due to 19th-century missionary Rev George Taplin as Ngarrindjeri) people. Ramindjeri ruwe (land) is the most westerly of the Ngarrindjeri, covering the area around Encounter Bay in southern South Australia, including Victor Harbor and Port Elliot, however a native title callover dispute asserted a much more extensive territory and other paradigm shifts.

Ramindjeri were amongst, if not the first South Australian Aboriginal people to come into regular contact with Europeans since 1802, with Karta (Kangaroo Island) based sealers raiding Ramindjeri ruwe (territorial lands) for women in the early 19th century, pre-1836 settlement. Ramindjeri men began working as whalers around Encounter Bay in the 1830s.

Ramindjeri Heritage Association Inc assert a historical territory including Kangaroo Island and the whole southern portion of the Fleurieu Peninsula, extending as far north as Noarlunga or even the River Torrens. There is no evidence of continual occupation on Kangaroo Island earlier than the complete separation of the island from the mainland 11,000 years ago. Several small sites dated 6,000, 5,200 and 4,300 years have been found but it is unknown whether these belong to visitors or a remnant population. As available technology precludes intentional visits by Aboriginals, a remnant population of up to 200 individuals is the preferred hypothesis with the last dying 2,500 years ago. The territory also overlaps a significant portion of the territory claimed by both the neighboring Ngarrindjeri to the east and the Kaurna Commonwealth of Australia Federal Court Native Title Claims Registered respectively 1998 and 2000. Linguistic evidence suggests that the "Aborigines" encountered by Colonel Light at Rapid Bay in 1836 were "Kaurna" speakers. Ramindjeri as "Encounter Bay blacks" were observed holding a full moon ceremony at Onkaparinga by John Bull's 1837 water exploration party, guided by pre-1836 Sealer Nat Thomas.

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