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On Australia Day we reflect on our nation’s past that began more than 65,000 years ago, respect the histories and stories of everyday Australians and celebrate our nation’s place in the world, our individual contributions and our exciting, shared future.
Australia Day is a day to learn more about the history, traditions and cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, whose way of life was disrupted but remains a vital part of our nation’s identity.
Beginning your Australia Day event with a Welcome to Country or Acknowledgment of Country, provides your local community with the chance to learn about, and celebrate, the rich cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
We encourage you to use this time to highlight the unique position of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australian culture and the history of your area.
Welcome to Country • Only Traditional Owners/Custodians of the land on which the event takes place can deliver a Welcome to Country.
• The essential element of a Welcome to Country is to welcome visitors and offer safe passage.
• A Welcome to Country occurs at the beginning of an event and can take many forms including singing, dancing, smoking ceremonies or a speech in traditional language or English.
• A Welcome to Country is delivered by Traditional Owners, or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have been given permission from Traditional Owners, to welcome visitors to their Country.
• To arrange a Welcome to Country in your area, contact your local Aboriginal and /or Torres Strait Islander organisation or the National Indigenous Australians Agency (www.niaa.gov.au/) who can provide contact details for a Traditional Owner/Custodian.
Acknowledgment of Country
• An Acknowledgment of Country can be delivered by anyone when a Traditional Owner is not available.
• It is an opportunity to acknowledge, and pay respect, to the Traditional Owners and ongoing custodians of the land – the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
• Customarily, Acknowledgments are made at the commencement of an event, meeting, or formal occasion.
• Speakers can also acknowledge Country as they speak for the first time, even if a Welcome to Country or Acknowledgment of Country has already been given.
There are no set protocols or wording, however, when conducting an Acknowledgment, it is important that it be delivered with respectful intent and sentiment.
A general Acknowledgment can be used if you do not know the name of the people on whose land you are gathered. For example ‘I’d like to begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the land on which we meet today. I would also like to pay my respects to Elders past and present.’
A specific Acknowledgment should be used where you know the name of the people on whose land you are gathered. For example ‘I’d like to begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the land on which we meet today, the (people) of the (nation) and pay my respects to Elders past and present.’
Also use this opportunity to reflect on a story or reference to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander history in your area. This recognises the integral place of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the first custodians of this land and, importantly, promotes awareness of the history and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people Concluding with a personalised comment for example ‘May we walk gently on this land’, will add further meaning to the intent of the Acknowledgment.
Throughout your event reflect on the important part played by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the history of your area, respect their contributions to past and present as well as the contributions of everyday Australians, and celebrate coming together and connecting with family, friends, and community.
References For more information visit the following websites: indigenous.gov.au - www.indigenous.gov.au/culture-and-capability Reconciliation Australia - www.reconciliation.org.au/ National Indigenous Australians Agency - www.niaa.gov.au/
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