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2. Acknowledgement of country

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a unique position in the history and culture of Australia. They are the original owners of the land and it is important that this special position is recognised and incorporated in official events such as festivals and community events, program launches and other major social and community events.

The Welcome to Country ceremony recognises the original owners of the land and welcomes others to the place. It is undertaken by a traditional owner of the land.

An Acknowledgement of Country is a way, that an Aboriginal person who is not a traditional owner or custodian of the land where the event is being held or for non- Aboriginal people, to respect Aboriginal heritage.

An Acknowledgment of Country is only to be undertaken when no traditional owner or custodian is available to do so and all avenues to locate one within the community have been undertaken.

A Chair, Speaker, Master of Ceremonies or other can begin the meeting by acknowledging that the meeting is taking place in the country of the traditional owners. There are some areas where debate is ongoing as to who are the traditional owners of certain land areas. In these instances those who acknowledge the county can acknowledge all the traditional owners of this land without naming those people.

If it is clear who are the ‘traditional owners of land’ it is appropriate to say so. Examples of acknowledgment of country are:

Wording for an Aboriginal person who is not a traditional owner of the land where the
event is being held:
“I am (name) an Aboriginal person from (tribe/clan) and I acknowledge the
traditional owners of the land (insert name if known) we are meeting on and remind
people that we are on Aboriginal land. I also acknowledge our Elders and in
particular those attending today’s event

Wording for a non-Aboriginal person:
“I would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land (insert name if
known) we are meeting on and remind people that we are on Aboriginal land. I also
acknowledge the Elders and in particular those attending today’s event“

Further reading

NSW Health has a Welcome to Country Protocols Policy (14 pages) which includes protocols for Acknowledgement of Country and which may be useful for community organisations. NSW Health Welcome to Country Protocols Policy (PDF)