Damon Mcknight
Acknowledgement of Country and Welcome to Country are practices that have become core Australian customs. They are intended to show respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians by upholding their cultural protocols. The term country is used to refer to the entirety of the ancestral domains of Indigenous Australians, encompassing the values, places, resources, stories, and cultural obligations associated with an area. These practices are not universally accepted, with some critics arguing that they are performative and do not reflect traditional Aboriginal culture. However, they are still widely incorporated into gatherings and events across Australia, including by all levels of government, universities, and community groups.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Recognises the continuing connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to their land | Shows respect by upholding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural protocols |
| Acknowledges the traditional owners of the land | Pays respect to the elders and recognises the cultural significance of the land |
| Can be adapted to reflect different contexts | Helps build a relationship with Indigenous people and their culture |
| Raises awareness of the history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people | Provides a sense of belonging |
| Encourages reconciliation and addresses historical exclusion |
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What You'll Learn
The meaning of 'Country'
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples were the first inhabitants of Australia, arriving from Southeast Asia between 50,000 and 65,000 years ago. By the time of British colonisation, they spoke 250 distinct languages and had one of the oldest living cultures in the world.
Despite colonisation and the subsequent dispossession of their lands, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians remain connected to the Country of their ancestors. They consider themselves the custodians or caretakers of their land. This connection to Country is deeply rooted in their cultural identity and history.
Incorporating an Acknowledgement of Country into meetings, gatherings, and events is a way to show respect for the Traditional Owners and recognise the continuing connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to their Country. It is an opportunity to uphold their cultural protocols and honour their long-standing relationship with the land.
While the practice of Acknowledgement of Country has become more mainstream in Australia, it is important to note that it is not universally accepted within the Indigenous community. Some criticise it for being tokenistic and distracting from more meaningful forms of recognition. Nonetheless, it serves as a reminder of the enduring presence and significance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia.
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The history of Acknowledgement of Country
The term "Country" holds a unique significance for many Aboriginal peoples, encompassing their relationship with their ancestral lands and seas. This relationship includes cultural, spiritual, linguistic, legal, kinship, and identity aspects. The practice of Acknowledgement of Country aims to honour this enduring connection and show respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
The movement towards reconciliation and recognition gained momentum in the 1990s during the Keating government. The creation of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation (CAR), with Yawuru man Pat Dodson as chair, played a significant role in promoting reconciliation. The Mabo case, which overturned the historical fiction of terra nullius and recognised native title in Australia, also contributed to the growth of Acknowledgement of Country among grassroots communities concerned with reconciliation. Wiradjuri woman Linda Burney, a former member of CAR, noted that the practice was organically adopted and became accepted in various gatherings.
The practice of Acknowledgement of Country is distinct from the traditional "Welcome to Country" ceremony performed by Aboriginal peoples. A "Welcome to Country" is a long-standing tradition where a local Aboriginal person of significance, usually an Elder, acknowledges and gives consent for events taking place on their traditional lands. This ceremony has deep cultural significance and dates back to pre-colonisation times.
While Acknowledgement of Country has become widespread, it is not without criticism. Some Indigenous community members view it as a tokenistic gesture, distracting from more meaningful forms of recognition. Similarly, conservative politicians, historians, and commentators have criticised these practices as divisive and not reflective of traditional Aboriginal culture. Despite these criticisms, the practice continues to evolve and is adapted to different contexts, aiming to reflect and honour the cultural significance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' connection to their Country.
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Criticisms and concerns
The Acknowledgement of Country has faced criticism and resistance from some conservative politicians, historians, and commentators in Australia. Critics include historian Keith Windschuttle and politicians Tony Abbott, Peter Dutton, Jacinta Price, and Pauline Hanson. Some detractors argue that these ceremonies are a form of tokenism and do not accurately reflect traditional Aboriginal culture. They claim that it is a "waste of taxpayers' money" and creates division among Australians.
Since the defeat of the 2023 Australian Indigenous Voice referendum, conservative politicians and commentators have leveraged the Welcome to Country ceremony to oppose or diminish Indigenous Reconciliation efforts. This opposition is part of the ongoing "culture wars," where critics argue that such practices are "divisive."
In 2023, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Australia ruled against the inclusion of acknowledgements of country in church services, deeming their wording inappropriate. Similarly, the WA branch of the RSL initially decided to ban acknowledgments and welcomes at Anzac Day services, but this decision was swiftly reversed following public backlash.
The Acknowledgement of Country has also been criticised for becoming a formalised, standardised practice. Some argue that the practice has morphed from a political act into something more shared and formal, potentially losing its original meaning and authenticity in the process.
Furthermore, there are concerns that the Acknowledgement of Country may not always be fully understood, especially by younger generations. While it is powerful for a four-year-old child to recite the Acknowledgement of Country, as in the case of Duke Regan, it is important to ensure that they comprehend the meaning of what they are saying.
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Welcomes to Country
The history of a people with an area ("country") can go back thousands of years, and the relationship with the land is nurtured and sustained by cultural knowledge and the environment. Welcomes to Country are performed by the recognised traditional owner of the land in question, usually an Elder, or by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who have been given permission from Traditional Owners. They are sometimes accompanied by traditional smoking ceremonies, music or dance.
The ceremony has been a long tradition among Aboriginal Australian groups to welcome people from other areas. Today, it serves as a symbol which signifies the recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' presence in Australia before colonisation and an end to their past exclusion from Australian history and society.
Incorporating Welcomes to Country into meetings, gatherings, and events shows respect by upholding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural protocols. It is a sign of respect and protocol which dates back to traditional times before colonisation.
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Reconciliation
Acknowledgement of Country
Acknowledgement of Country is a practice that recognises the traditional ownership and ongoing connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to their ancestral lands and waters. It is a way to show respect and honour the cultural significance of the area for Indigenous Australians. This practice has become increasingly common in Australia, with acknowledgements made at the beginning of meetings, gatherings, and events, as well as on radio and television shows. For instance, a speaker might acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land and pay respect to Elders past and present. While this practice is widely embraced, it has also faced criticism from some Indigenous communities, who view it as a tokenistic gesture that falls short of more meaningful forms of recognition and reconciliation.
Welcome to Country
Welcome to Country is a ceremony performed by a local Aboriginal person of significance, often an Elder, to acknowledge and provide consent for events taking place on their traditional lands. It is a long-standing tradition that holds great cultural importance for Aboriginal peoples. A Welcome to Country may include traditional smoking ceremonies, music, or dance and is seen as a way to build positive relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
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Frequently asked questions
An Acknowledgement of Country is a statement or action that recognises the Traditional Owners of the land in Australia and honours the continuing connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to their land, culture, and communities.
An Acknowledgement of Country is a way to show respect and uphold Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural protocols. It also serves as a reminder of the history of dispossession and colonisation that has led to the disparity between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians today.
An Acknowledgement of Country is often made at the beginning of meetings, gatherings, and events. It can also be incorporated into other contexts, such as books, TV shows, or radio broadcasts.
There is no strict script for an Acknowledgement of Country, and it can be adapted to reflect the specific context. It often includes recognising the Traditional Owners of the land, paying respect to Elders past and present, and acknowledging the enduring connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to their Country.
No, a Welcome to Country is a separate ceremony performed by a local Aboriginal person of significance, usually an Elder. It is a traditional practice that dates back to before colonisation and is a way to acknowledge and give consent for events taking place on their traditional lands.
