For us, Country is a word for all the values, places, resources, stories and cultural obligations associated with that area and its features. It describes the entirety of our ancestral domains. While they may all no longer necessarily be the title-holders to land, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians are still connected to the Country of their ancestors and most consider themselves the custodians or caretakers of their land. The ceremony varied from clan to clan. There would be this negotiation and that could take a long time, it could take months.
So that is the background of Welcome to Country. While you might be used to giving or hearing an Acknowledgement at the beginning of a meeting, event or something formal, Cissy sees it as an important part of her personal life as well. First Nation people have been experiencing exclusion, discrimination and oppression for so long. Aboriginal people weren't even classed as human beings not so long ago, so being recognised as the true custodians of the land with an Acknowledgement shows we've come a long way.
As well as spoken Acknowledgements of Country at events or gatherings, they can also be written and be part of email signatures, featured on websites and signs at the entrances of businesses and homes. Get our newsletter for the best of ABC Everyday each week. ABC Everyday helps you navigate life's challenges and choices so you can stay on top of the things that matter to you.
We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work. ABC Everyday. Of course it was beautiful and special to everyone there. Maybe this could become a common part of such important events? To include an acknowledgement on a printed document, ideally it should be placed on the inside front cover, standing alone, in a place of significance. An increasing number of businesses affix signs to entry areas of their premises.
Here's a sample wording:. Government, organisations and even small groups are adopting the practice of acknowledging the traditional owners. The Sydney Morning Herald offers a video with a few sample acknowledgements. Jonathan Hill is a poet living in New South Wales.
Some politicians have voiced concern that the 'Acknowledgement of Country' was an "empty" gesture of political correctness and looked "like tokenism" if it was performed too often [9]. The Victorian Premier decided to scrap a requirement for ministers and departmental staff to acknowledge traditional owners in May [10]. Government policies which force departments to do 'Acknowledgement of Country' and have 'Welcome to Country' ceremonies performed undermine the genuine gesture and make it "feel false", argues Sue Gordon, a retired West Australian magistrate [9].
David Ross, director of the Central Land Council, feels that one should not ignore the "existence and ownership of this land by Aboriginal people before European settlement" and acknowledge the black history with the ritual. Opposing 'Welcome to Country' ceremonies would encourage racist elements within the community. I think it's fantastic [to do Acknowledgement of Country ceremonies], ten years ago we weren't even acknowledged. It says to our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander fellow Australians that we are all in the future journey of our country together.
A 'Welcome to Country' is a small ceremony where traditional custodians , usually Elders or a recognised spokesperson, welcome people to their land. This is a significant recognition and is made through a formal process , although it's up to the Elder how they decide to carry out the ceremony.
It also depends on the location of the event and the practice of the Aboriginal community which can vary greatly according to region. During a 'Welcome to Country' the Elder welcomes those in attendance, guests, staff or students to their Country. It might be just a simple speech or a performance of some sort, like a song, traditional dance, a didgeridoo piece or any combination of these.
Note that a 'Welcome to Country' is often considered a right and not a privilege. Protocols for welcoming visitors to country have been a part of Aboriginal culture for thousands of years. Despite the absence of fences or visible borders, Aboriginal groups had clear boundaries separating their country from that of other groups. In parliament it was first introduced at the start of parliament in and now forms a regular element of Australian political process.
Welcomes [to country]… are what traditional owners give—if they so desire. There should be no expectation or demand for this to be the case. In , Sydney's New Year's Eve fireworks were ushered in for the first time with a huge Aboriginal Welcome to Country ceremony, putting local Gadigal, Wangal and Gamaragal traditions front and centre in the global new year celebrations. It is often delivered by an Aboriginal person who has themselves been the victim of government policies.
There are no set protocols or wording for an Acknowledgement of Country, though often a statement may take the following forms. Similar to a Welcome to Country, an Acknowledgement of Country is generally offered at the beginning of a meeting, speech or formal occasion.
Including welcoming and acknowledgement protocols into official meetings and events recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Owners of this land. It promotes an ongoing connection to place of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians and shows respect for Traditional Owners. In Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, the meaning of Country is more than just ownership or connection to land.
For Aboriginal Australians…we might mean homeland, or tribal or clan area and we might mean more than just a place on the map. For us, Country is a word for all the values, places, resources, stories and cultural obligations associated with that area and its features.
It describes the entirety of our ancestral domains.
0コメント