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Acknowledgement of Country Exploration

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Acknowledgement of Country Exploration

A community group is planning a welcome for a public event. Help the organisers choose respectful words and understand the purpose of an Acknowledgement of Country. Read the information card, then answer the questions. Local names and protocols differ across Australia; check reliable local guidance rather than guessing.

In Australia, an Acknowledgement of Country is a way for anyone to show respect for the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the place where an event is happening, and to recognise their continuing connection to Country. Country is more than land: it can include waters, skies, living things, culture, stories and responsibilities. An Acknowledgement may be spoken by a First Nations or non-Indigenous person. A Welcome to Country is different. It is given by Traditional Owners, or by someone authorised by them, to welcome visitors onto their Country. Local protocols vary. A respectful Acknowledgement uses accurate local information where possible, avoids pretending to speak for First Nations people, and recognises that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures are diverse and continuing.

Read, decide and explain

Use the information card for Questions 1–4. For Questions 5–8, apply the ideas to the event-planning scenario.

1.Which statement best explains the purpose of an Acknowledgement of Country?

It shows respect for Traditional Owners and recognises their continuing connection to Country.
It gives the speaker permission to speak for local First Nations people.
It is a list of rules that replaces local protocols.

2.An Acknowledgement of Country can be given by a First Nations or non-Indigenous person.

TrueFalse

3.Match each term with its best description.

Acknowledgement of Country
Welcome to Country
Country

A living connection that can include land, waters, skies, culture and responsibilities
A statement showing respect for Traditional Owners and connection to Country
A welcome given by Traditional Owners or someone authorised by them

4.An organiser is unsure of the Traditional Owner group for the event location. What is the most respectful next step?

Guess a group name so the speech sounds specific.
Check reliable local sources and seek guidance from appropriate local organisations or representatives.
Leave out any mention of Country because local information can never be used.

5.Cooper says, “I can give a Welcome to Country because I am the event host.” Explain why this may be incorrect, using the information card.

6.Name two things, besides land, that Country can include according to the information card.

7.A draft for the event says: “We welcome everyone. This land has always been empty.” Identify one problem with the draft and suggest a respectful improvement.

8.Write a respectful two- or three-sentence Acknowledgement of Country for the community event. Do not guess a local group name. If the name is not known, use a placeholder such as [local Traditional Owners] and note that it must be checked.