A Welcome to Country is a ceremony where the traditional custodians formally welcome people onto their land. Welcome to Country follows thousands of years of protocols around welcoming people to Country and offering safe passage and protection to visitors. It is a significant recognition and is made formally.

Who

• Performed by local Aboriginal custodian/s (in most cases, Elders) of the Country on which you are meeting.
• Some traditional custodians will feel it is more culturally appropriate for them to offer an Acknowledgement of Country rather than a Welcome to Country.

When

• Should be a part of any public event and/or those that involved dignitaries.
• Should always be the first item on the agenda.

What

• Protocols for Welcome to Country ceremonies are diverse and can vary according to region and locality.
• A Welcome to Country may consist of a single speech - in language or in English - or it may include a performance such as a smoking ceremony, a traditional song and/or dance, playing of the didjeridoo or a combination of these.

An Acknowledgement of Country is a statement of recognition of the traditional owners of the land. It can be performed by any person as a way to show respect for Aboriginal peoples, cultures and heritage and the ongoing relationship the traditional custodians have with the land.

Who

• May be performed by any person - Aboriginal or non-Aboriginal (but generally by a non-Aboriginal person) - as a way to show awareness of and respect for Aboriginal peoples, their culture and heritage.
• Can be used exclusively if an Elder or other appropriate member of the local Aboriginal community is not available to perform a Welcome to Country.

When

• Can be used independently for smaller or internal events.
• Should be the first item on the agenda. The only exception is if it follows a Welcome to Country.
• If you are at an official event and directly follow an Elder performing a Welcome to Country, it is appropriate to make a brief Acknowledgement as a sign of respect for that Elder.

What

• Acknowledgement of Country is a respectful and easy practice to engage in. All Department of Education staff are encouraged to demonstrate appropriate acknowledgement of the traditional custodians of Country at any forum - from general office meetings (including videoconference and teleconference meetings) to formal gatherings, functions, events and ceremonies.
• Examples of Acknowledgements of Country are provided below.

The traditional custodians of the land, usually senior representatives of the local Aboriginal community - recognised Elders - should undertake the Welcome to Country ceremony. Who this is, and what the ceremony is, will depend the location of the event and the practice of the community.

Steps should be taken to ensure that the appropriate Aboriginal representative is invited to undertake the ceremony and that local customs and etiquette are adhered to respectfully.

The process of collaborative negotiation with your local Aboriginal community is a part of the reconciliation process. It is important that the Aboriginal representative is involved in and is comfortable with the arrangements. Invite them into any proposal for participation from the outset and talk together to decide the format of the ceremony, who should be invited, who should perform the Welcome to Country and how that person (or persons) will be recognised and/or remunerated for their time and commitment.

Making contact with appropriate traditional custodians can sometimes be a complex process. Observing Aboriginal protocol may include allowing time for customary decision-making and discussion among the traditional custodians.

In some parts of NSW there are disputes about who may be the traditional custodians of an area. We should recognise this as an effect of dispossession, which has meant people have been dislocated from their land and may have returned to an area where they are not accepted as traditional custodians by some.

How to find and contact your local Aboriginal Elders

Ask for advice and assistance. Contact:

• your local Aboriginal Education Consultative Group, whose members will have extensive experience in their local community;
• your local Aboriginal Land Council or
• your local council.

At the start of a meeting or function, the chair or speaker begins by acknowledging that the meeting is taking place on the Country of the traditional custodians. Where the name of the traditional custodians is known, it is specifically used. Where it is not known, a general acknowledgement is given.

There is no 'set' wording for an Acknowledgement of Country but you can use the following:

Specific acknowledgement

I would like to acknowledge that we meet on the homelands of the [insert name] people who are the Traditional Custodians of this land. I pay respect to Elders past and present & emerging of the [insert name] nation and extend that respect to other Aboriginal people [or 'other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people'] here today.

General acknowledgement

I would like to pay my respect and acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we gather. I pay respect to Elders past and present and extend that respect to other Aboriginal people [or 'other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people'] here today.

Specific acknowledgement – online meeting

I acknowledge that I am hosting/recording this meeting/webinar from the lands of the [insert name] people.

I also acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the various lands on which you all work today and pay respect to Elders past and present & emerging and extend that respect to other Aboriginal people [or 'other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people'] joining us today.

General acknowledgment – online meeting

I acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the various lands on which we work today and pay respect to Elders past and present & emerging and extend that respect to other Aboriginal people [or 'other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people'] joining us today.

Notes

While these guidelines generally use the term, 'Aboriginal people', we are referring to both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Other terms that are acceptable include 'First Nations people' or 'First Peoples'.

Don’t worry too much about making a mistake in attempting an Acknowledgement of Country. It's okay not to get it right the first time you try, and many people have difficulty pronouncing the names of Aboriginal Country. The intention - the spirit of the offering - is what matters most. Do ask for feedback or correction, though, if you are unsure if you have got the pronunciation or any other aspect of the Acknowledgement of Country right.