Acknowledgement of Country Protocol

USE: When facilitating or speaking at external and internal events and official meetings as a representative of Orange Sky Australia.

Protocol for Acknowledgement of Country

Why do we do an Acknowledgement of Country?

An Acknowledgement of Country is important to show respect for Traditional Owners and to acknowledge the continuing connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to Country. It is important to show respect for and, understanding that, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are the First Nations people of Australia and we are standing on this land. It also acknowledges that we understand Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are made up of many discreet clans and are not one homogenous group.

What should we say in an Acknowledgement of Country?

General: 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, present and emerging.

Specific: I’d like to begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the land on which we meet today, the (people, eg: Jagera and Turrubul people) of the (nation eg: Brisbane) and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

More detailed: I would like to acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the traditional custodians of the land across Australia where we are located

today and pay respect and honour to Elders past, present and future.

I would like to acknowledge and respect the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of this land and commit to working alongside them to create a positive future together.

FYI….

If you know the name of the group of Traditional Owners on the land on which you are meeting, you can acknowledge them directly. For example, in the CBD of Sydney, the traditional owners are the Gadigal people, of the Eora nation.

See here for a map of Indigenous Australia to help you identify the Traditional Owners https://aiatsis.gov.au/explore/articles/aiatsis-map-indigenous-australia

When should we do an Acknowledgement of Country?

• At the beginning of virtual or face to face meetings including external stakeholders (eg: OSA Summit, SL meetings, Board meetings, corporate activities in house)
• At the beginning of Orange Sky’s internal MMM (Monday morning meeting)
•  *Most important thing is for an acknowledgement to be genuine, purposeful and considered*

Who can say an Acknowledgement of Country?

• The facilitator of or person who is hosting the meeting

FAQs

What's the difference between Acknowledgement of Country and Welcome to Country?

An Acknowledgement of Country is an opportunity for anyone, non-Indigenous and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, to show respect for Traditional Owners and the continuing connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to Country. It is important to consult with any attending Elders prior to significant meetings or events and to doing an Acknowledgement of Country. For some Elders it is a sign of respect for them to conduct the Acknowledgement or at least be consulted.

Protocols for welcoming visitors to country has been a part of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures for thousands of years. There are up to 700 First Nations groups/clans recorded with distinct boundaries separating them across Australia. Permissions are required to enter and cross another group’s country. Hence, the Welcome to Country ceremony is a significant custom and gesture. It provides the visitor with safe passage, pays respect to, and follows the protocols and rules of the land owner group while on their Country. A Welcome to Country occurs at the beginning of a formal event and can take many forms including singing, dancing, smoking ceremonies or a speech in traditional language or English.

Only a Traditional Owner of the land you are standing on can give a Welcome to Country. You will have to research and consult with the First Nations community to find an appropriate Elder or community representative to deliver a Welcome to Country. On many occasions a payment to the Traditional Owner for conducting a Welcome to Country is customary. This is to account for their time to prepare and attend an event.

How are First Nation peoples connected to their Country and what are some key concepts?

Relationships to Country are complex and interrelated. The terms nation, Country or Place are often used by Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples to describe family origins and associations with specific parts of Australia. For example, a Gamilaraay man from south-west Queensland might say, ‘The Narran lakes area is my Country’, or ‘I am a Simpson from Gamilaraay Country’. Descriptions of Country, particularly traditional associations, will differ from individual to individual, depending on the associations passed down through family and community.

Country/Place: refers to the land to which Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples belong; where the spiritual essence of their ancestors remains in the landscape, the sky and the waters.

Nation: describes cultural groupings based on clan and language. At the time of English colonisation, there were more than 500 different clan groups or nations around Australia, with distinctive cultures, beliefs and languages. In this way, Australia was a lot more like Europe than early settlers realised.

Traditional custodian/owner: means the First Nations people of a Country or Place. As knowledge is passed from generation to generation, Elders and the most senior knowledge holders are normally considered to be rightful holders of this title. The term ‘custodian’ helps to express the important point that both Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples have important responsibilities to their Country/Place, rather than a sense of the land and waters as their property.

How long have Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples thought to be around for?

For over at least 50 000 years, Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples led ecologically sustainable ways of life in all areas of Australia. They used and adapted the available resources of their local area to suit their individual needs, which is reflected in the differing customs of the many Aboriginal Nations and Torres Strait Islander communities.

The land provided everything communities needed: food, clothing, tools, weapons and ceremonial objects. Important knowledge regarding survival was entrusted to individuals to ensure the continuance of each community. This important knowledge was, and still is, kept and passed on through story, song, dance and art.