Paying respects to the traditional custodians of the land

At DCJ, we commence our meetings and gatherings by paying our respects to the traditional custodians of the land. This can be done by performing an Acknowledgement of Country or arranging for a Welcome to Country at gatherings.

We do this to show respect for the ongoing connection to place and the traditional ownership of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of our country.

Acknowledgement of Country

An Acknowledgement of Country should be made at formal events, formal or larger meetings and in meetings with external parties, but use your judgment for shorter, informal internal meetings.

Beginning your meetings with an Acknowledgement shows respect and recognition for Aboriginal culture, land, heritage and history.

Anyone can and should perform an acknowledgement.

Example - “I would like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we meet today, the (people) of the (nation). I would like to pay respect to elders past, present and emerging and any Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people here today.”

For online meetings: “I would like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the lands we all meet on today. I am on the lands of the (people) of the (nation). I would like to pay respect to elders past, present and emerging and any Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people here today.”

Note: Exclude the name of the people on whose land you are gathered if you don’t know or there are multiple Aboriginal peoples identified as Traditional Custodians.) 

An initial full Acknowledgement can be followed by abridged acknowledgements made by other attendees; for example, ‘hello, it’s <name>, speaking from Gadigal land.’

An acknowledgement of country is also an opportunity to share what you’ve learned about the history and knowledge of the land and its traditional owners; for example, a brief personal reflection on what the acknowledgement means to you or what you’ve learned about the traditional owners of the land from which you’re speaking.

You can also use a standing Acknowledgement statement at the beginning of formal documents, on a webpage or in your email signature acknowledging the lands you spend most time working or where your office is located. In this case, it may be more suitable to provide a general acknowledgement.

Example – “(Organisation) acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.”

To find out about the lands on which you meet visit Gambay.

Welcome to Country

A Welcome to Country should be arranged for all major and significant events.

Traditionally, a Welcome to Country was performed when entering another’s Country to signify welcome and spiritual safe passage and protection.

Visitors in return respected the protocols and rules of the traditional custodians on the land they entered.

A Welcome is to be performed by an appropriate person such as a recognised Elder or an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person who has been given permission from Traditional Owners to perform a Welcome.

A Welcome to Country may take many forms – singing, dancing, smoking ceremonies, or a speech.

Make sure to properly prepare the Welcome to Country performer with information and context on the event and introduce them at the event before they perform the Welcome.

Contact your local Aboriginal Land Council to arrange a welcome.