First Peoples in Australia are the oldest continuing cultures on Earth. A central part of these cultures are Welcomes to Country and Acknowledgements of Traditional Owners. A Welcome or Acknowledgement is a way to recognise the complex ownership and land stewardship that existed before colonisation and continues to this day. It is important that all Victorians know more about how to acknowledge and respect the land that they live on.
A Welcome to Country can only be delivered by a Traditional Owner on their Traditional Country. Anyone can deliver an Acknowledgement of Traditional Owners.
In consultation with the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation, the City of Yarra has developed three versions of an Acknowledgement of Traditional Owners to be read in different circumstances. For example, there is a shorter version of an Acknowledgement to be read at the beginning of all council meetings, or a longer version to be read at events that are significant to the local First Peoples’ community such as their Sorry Day event and January 26th event. You can read the Acknowledgements in the City of Yarra’s Yana Ngargna Plan 2020-2023.
City of Melbourne and Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation
Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Elder, Uncle Dave Wandin, shares the importance of an Acknowledgment of Country and how to deliver it with respect
Contact your local Registered Aboriginal Party for more information about their processes for booking a Welcome to Country and their preferred wording for an Acknowledgment of Traditional Owners.
Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Traditional Owners | Aboriginal Victoria
What’s the difference between an Acknowledgment and a Welcome? | Deadly Questions
Welcome to Country | Culture Victoria
Acknowledgement of Traditional Owners and Welcome to Country in Schools | Department of Education and Training
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Victoria, and recognise First Peoples continuing connection to lands, waters and community. We pay our respects to Elders past and present who carry the memories, traditions, cultures and aspirations of First Peoples, and who forge the path ahead for emerging leaders.
We dedicate ourselves to working respectfully with and guided by First Peoples, and to listen and amplify the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in all areas of work
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Please note this site may contain images, voices and mentions of people who have passed.
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