Incorporating Acknowledgement of Country and Welcome to Country into meetings, gatherings, and events shows respect by upholding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural protocols.
An Acknowledgement of Country is an opportunity for anyone to show respect for Traditional Owners and the continuing connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to Country.
An Acknowledgement of Country is different from a Welcome to Country. An Acknowledgement of Country can be offered by any person and like a Welcome to Country, is given at the beginning of a meeting, speech or event.
Welcomes to Country and Acknowledgements of Country are protocols that have been practiced for thousands of years. For non-Indigenous Australians, Acknowledgement of Country can be a symbol of reconciliation, and shows you recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s continuing connection to Country.