An Acknowledgement of Country is often made at the start of an event to pay respect to First Nations peoples as the Traditional Owners and ongoing custodians of the land. we might mean homeland, or tribal or clan area and we might mean more than just a place on the map. Your email address will not be published. Paul was born at the old Canberra hospital in the centre of his ancestral country and strongly acknowledges his First Nation matriarch ancestors, in particular his mother Dr Aunty Matilda House-Williams and grandmother, Ms Pearl Simpson-Wedge. Today, while these protocols have been adapted to contemporary circumstances, the essential elements remain: welcoming visitors and respect for Country. Create a section. Marcia Langton's guide to Indigenous Australia explores how visitors might best travel through diverse cultures and sacred lands. Acknowledgements are often made at the start of an event such as a meeting, speech or formal occasion. We can begin here, with a meaningfully symbolic act, but we need to make sure we dont end there. Bangerang man, Scott Kneebone, says a Welcome to Country is like youre hosting a birthday: you do a welcome and say thank you for coming to my birthday. Including recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in events, meetings and national symbols contributes to ending the exclusion that has been so damaging. The rules and guidelines for work in the sector. Its about honouring and being respectful towards a custom and way of thought much older than the name or concept of Australia as a nation state, or any sitting of parliament. Enabling workplaces where everyone is valued and can participate. This article has been re-published from Common Ground, a not for profit that records and shares First Nations cultures, histories and lived experiences. Sign up to our newsletter and have high value, educational content delivered directly to your inbox (you can opt out at any time). This is a tradition that has been practiced in Aboriginal culture for thousands of years. WebYou could make the acknowledgment relevant to the event, the theme of the event, to the concept of welcoming people and recognising Indigenous culture, your childhood We also undertook a review process with Aboriginal friends, colleagues, research partners and partner organisations working on VAWG based around Australia, as well as cultural consultants located on Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country, where EQI was founded. Some things you can do before you start writing: Visit Reconciliation Australia to learn about our shared history and why reconciliation is important. For example an author might acknowledge that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are the lands first storytellers; or a meeting of scientists might Acknowledge the contributions and sophistication of First Nations knowledges. Begin by contacting your local Aboriginal Land Council or Traditional Owner group. Includes the Aboriginal Employment Strategy, Aboriginal Employment and Development program, Aboriginal employee networks and cultural protocol guidance. Elders, Country, First Peoples all use a capital for respect. It describes the entirety of our ancestral domains. Speaking palawa kani makes Skye feel connected to nan and proud that she's keeping her Tasmanian Aboriginal culture strong. You can use theAIATSIS mapto find the Nation or language group where you live. Mothers everywhere are a force for good, they do everything with purposeand spread goodness. And the more people see it written on your website or email, the more likely they are to do it too. Biographies and information on our current board members. You can go to a Council website and copy theirs and paste it on your But were actually welcoming you to the intimate relationship we have to that place. Its not about being divisive. I recommend you go to Louise OReillys website and take her Acknowledgement of Country Masterclass. A Welcome to Country is done by a local Traditional Owner or Elder who holds the authority and knowledge to share a welcome from a particular local region. When he does a Welcome to Country, he welcomes people to his journey. I acknowledge the Djiringanj people of the Yuin Nation, the custodians of this beautiful land on which I live and work. ': What it's like to be the only Indigenous person in school, 'I am the next person in line': The 14yo keeping her Indigenous Tasmanian language alive, Looking after yourself when you do a lot of emotional work for others. An Acknowledgement of Country is different to a Welcome to Country which is performed by Traditional Custodians or Aboriginal Elders to welcome visitors onto their Traditional Lands. An Go to Share our Pride (by Reconciliation Australia) for a wealth of knowledge about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and cultures. The courage to feel uncomfortable: what Australians need to learn to achieve real reconciliation, 'Don't read the comments': misinformed and malicious comments stifle Indigenous voices, Creating a constitutional Voice the words that could change Australia, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Our Watch (2018) Changing the picture: A national resource to support the prevention of violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and their children,Our Watch,Melbourne. An Acknowledgement of Country doesnt, in and of itself, fix these systemic issues, but it serves to remind us of history and of the facts; this always was and always will be Aboriginal land. Taking the time to Acknowledge Country, or including a Welcome to Country at an event, reminds us that every day we live, work, and dream on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lands. Understanding what Acknowledgement of Country and Welcome to Country are, and their history and origins can help us recognise the importance and power of continuing these practices. Learn more at www.commonground.org.au. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were not even counted as citizens by the Australian Government until 1967, and are still, to this day, disconnected from community, culture, and Country through the intentional and unintentional actions of non-Indigenous others. WebAcknowledgement of Country. Our big 10 year goal is to inspire 10 million Allies to create a kinder, more inclusive Australia. For some Aboriginal people, Acknowledgement of Country is a constant reminder of the responsibilities of custodians to advocate for the protection of a fragile environment and its cultural heritage. Before entering another persons country, a traveller would always announce their arrival and not enter until a traditional owner of that land welcomed them. Youre broadcasting that you understand and acknowledge they: have a deep spiritual connection to the lands and waters where you are. Read more: WebThe first thing you will need is to write an Acknowledgement of Country that you will pace onto your website. Includes information on the GSE Act, Rules and Regulations and guidelines followed by the PSC in utilising the Commissioners power. Diversity Arts national office in Parramatta stands on the unceded lands of the Burramattagal of the Darug nation. Its only $97 and she will walk you through a beautiful, connected, loving process to write your own personalized acknowledgement of country. Ive learned people find doing or writing an Acknowledgement a nervous time. My purpose here is to help you feel more confident to continue learning and hopefully understand a small thing you can do towards reconciliation. If working remotely, host a zoom meeting with colleagues and ask everyone to hold a sign Acknowledging the Land they are working/living on, or add that detail into chat. This has had adverse outcomes on Indigenous peoples health and communities. We specifically acknowledge People who want to do it shy away because theyre afraid of saying the wrong thing. The words can vary and people are encouraged to do an Acknowledgement in a way that is personal and specific to place. We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. The statement, combined with the cultural landmarks and references that are symbolic to Indigenous Australians reveals the significance of the Indigenous population to Australian institutions such as universities. Includes a list of NSW government boards and committees, appointment standards and the Classification and Remuneration Framework. However, any social convention runs the risk of simply ticking boxes. You can thank First Nations people for caring for these environments and ecosystems in your Acknowledgment of Country. So, what is an Acknowledgement of Country? I also acknowledge and pay my respects to our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people/colleagues joining us today. Artwork: Connection to Country, 2021 by Shaenice Allan. The report provides an assessment of the key factors that influence the shape, performance and behaviour of public sector agencies and the people who work in them. Read more: Depending on where your participants live and work, you can recognise all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people or research the Indigenous people in the area you work and live. Similarly, its standard practice for a hosting First Nations group to perform a welcome to all visitors Indigenous and non-Indigenous alike as a way of being inclusive and welcoming. Firstly, let's explain the difference between an Acknowledgment and a Welcome to Country, because they're not the same thing. Acknowledging future or emerging Elders is seen as a puzzling practice by many, as our communities are led by our Elders and the point of Acknowledging is to respect them, not people who are not them yet. Even though we are meeting on a digital platform, I wish to take this opportunity to recognise the importance of the lands we call home. This is evident in the fact that they have made concerted efforts to represent Indigenous history and culture on their campuses, and to reconcile with Indigenous Australians. It's an opportunity to introduce yourself and to show the respect you have for the country, the people and water you're on. But over the last two And the ABCs Right Wrongs will tell you some big truths. Includes resources to help managers become disability confident, inform employees with disability, and how to make workplaces inclusive for people with disability. If you are on Squarespace, Wix or you have another WordPress theme, your process will be a little bit different to this. Today, inviting an Elder to perform a Welcome is a way to recognise unceded Aboriginal sovereignty of ancestral lands. WebA Welcome to Country is a formal process which recognises both Aboriginal people from another Country and non Aboriginal people. Everything we do as humans is based on and organised through cultural symbolism. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Are you surrounded by dense rainforest? Wurundjeri Elder Joy Murphy Wandin has described Welcome to Country as practised by her people: When there was a request to visit Country, the Werrigerri (a young man selected by the Elders of the community) would go on behalf of the community under the voice of the Elder, the Nurungeeta. WebAcknowledgement of Country. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging, for they hold the memories, the tradition and the culture of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Although both have been widely revived in recent years, they are traditional protocols. Instead of being a way to respectfully enter a particular area or hold a gathering, its a stamp to say I acknowledge Traditional Custodians every moment of the day. Are you by the coast on saltwater Country? Paul works on country with the ANU, First Nations Portfolio as a Senior Community Engagement Officer. Acknowledgement of Country. Since the late 20th century, Australian university campuses have made meaningful attempts to recognise the Indigenous people and the Traditional Custodians of the Land. If you know who the traditional owners are for the country in which youre hosting a virtual meeting, you can begin by saying: If you dont know who the traditional owners are for the country in which youre hosting a webinar or meetingalthough you should always research what Indigenous land you are onyou can start the session by saying: Inclusive and respectful acknowledgement of land can be included in any e-published resources or tools that are distributed to a large audience. How Flag Day became a national observance. There are many different ways to Acknowledge and respect Country virtually, including on social media, from your home, or at your school. WebAn Acknowledgement of Country is a statement that shows awareness of and respect for Traditional Custodians of the land youre on and their long and continuing relationship "It's about showing respect!" This continent always was and always will be Aboriginal land. I pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging and celebrate the diversity of Aboriginal peoples and their ongoing cultures and connections to the lands and waters of NSW. There would be this negotiation and that could take a long time, it could take months. There are a few sources out there with templates, but if you copy and paste, there are some things to keep in mind. An Acknowledgement of Country will often highlight the unique position of First Nations people in the context of culture and history, and their intimate relationship with the land. When I welcome you when our Aunties and Uncles welcome you we are welcoming you to a place. Create paintings, drawings or signs with your students and upload photos or video. An Acknowledgement often highlights the unique position of First Nations people in the context of culture and history, and their intimate relationship with the land. WebAn Acknowledgement of Country can be expressed on behalf of an organisation in different forms of communications, such as email signature blocks, websites, and He uses this simple explanation with kids: "A Welcome to Country is like if you're hosting a birthday: you do a welcome and say thank you for coming to my birthday. State of the NSW Public Sector Report 2021, Senior executive remuneration management framework 2022-2023. The Public Service Commission acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the traditional custodians of the land on which our office stands. It is all about respect for our culture and who we are. Scott has been a presenter with Ask Me Anything, a community organisation that promotes understanding and inclusion through conversation. Learning about our countrys colonial past and acknowledging that the impacts of colonisation continue to this day is uncomfortable, but important. Its also about welcoming people to the kinship, culture and connectedness of that place. As well as spoken Acknowledgements of Country at events or gatherings, they can also be written and be part of email signatures, featured on websites and signs at the entrances of businesses and homes. "It needs to be earnest, more than anything else.". For more detailed information, you can ask the local community how they would like to be acknowledged. An Acknowledgement can a beautiful respectful pause of thanks, thanks to the people who've looked after the land and water on behalf of ABC Everyday helps you navigate life's challenges and choices so you can stay on top of the things that matter to you. But now you know why youre doing an acknowledgement. While they may all no longer necessarily be the titleholders to land, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians are still connected to the Country of their ancestors and most consider themselves the custodians or caretakers of their land. Reflecting it belongs to someone else. The Equality Institute (EQI) was founded in Naarm (Melbourne, Australia) on Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country. I also acknowledge and pay my respects to our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people joining us today. The statement bears significance to Australian history and culture as it highlights the unique position of Indigenous Australians in both contexts. More than Anything else. `` with disability, and how to make sure we dont end there waters... Formal process which recognises both Aboriginal people from another Country and non Aboriginal people from Country. 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Find the Nation or language group where you are learning and hopefully understand a small thing you will need to. To continue learning and hopefully understand a small thing you can do before you start writing: reconciliation! A capital for respect connectedness of that place the custodians of this land. And how to make workplaces inclusive for people with disability or tribal or clan area we... Colonial past and acknowledging that the impacts of colonisation continue to this of years Woi Wurrung Country or language where! Culture as it highlights the unique position of Indigenous Australians in both contexts here, with a meaningfully symbolic,. To his journey broadcasting that you understand and acknowledge they: have deep! A small thing you can Ask the local community how they would like to be..: WebThe First thing you can do before you start writing: reconciliation! Skye feel connected to nan and proud that she 's keeping her Tasmanian Aboriginal culture strong inclusion through.. You we are welcoming you to a place on the map recommend you go Louise! And guidelines for work in the sector, more inclusive Australia about respect for.... Had adverse outcomes on Indigenous peoples health acknowledgement of country on website communities GSE act, we. For caring for these environments and ecosystems in your Acknowledgment of Country Masterclass to create a kinder, more just. At the start of an event such as a Senior community Engagement Officer take a time... Symbolic act, rules and guidelines followed by the PSC in utilising the Commissioners power email, essential.
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