Welcome to Country/ Acknowledgement of Country

WELCOME TO COUNTRY

A Welcome to Country is a traditional welcoming protocol where Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people welcome people to their region and Country of their ancestors. A Welcome to Country is carried out by a traditional owner of the local area of the region.

A Welcome to Country typically includes a speech, followed by a traditional song or dance. It is commonly conducted at the beginning of public functions, events, conferences, meetings and forums.

It is important to note that a Welcome to Country is not conducted by a non-Indigenous person or an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person whose family descends from a different area on which they are speaking on. It is important to pay respects to the traditional owners of the land past, present and future.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY

An acknowledgement of Country may be conducted by members of the community both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. An acknowledgement of Country pays respect to the Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people, the traditional owners of the land and the Elders past, present and future.

An acknowledgement of Country is commonly conducted at the beginning of public functions, events, conferences, meetings and forums.

EXAMPLE: ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY

General:

Good morning/ Good afternoon. 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 the Elders past, present and future.

Specific:

Good morning/ Good afternoon, I’d like to begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the land on which we meet today, the (Name of the Group, e.g. the Gubbi Gubbi people) and pay my respects to Elders past, present and future.

Is there a fee for a Welcome to Country?

Yes, most traditional owners require a fee to cover the cost and expenses of conducting the Welcome to Country service.

Please contact us if you are enquiring a Welcome to Country service.
Email: gubbigubbisec@gmail.com