Reconciliation South Australia Inc
"a united Australia which respects this land of ours; values the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage; and provides justice and equity for all"
Be the change; I am the change.
National Reconciliation Week: 27 May to 3 June
Aboriginal flag
Torres Strait Islander flag
Reconciliation - South Australia Inc is proudly supported by:
Welcome to Country and Acknowledging Country |
Welcome to Country
Based on the Aboriginal dreaming, "Welcome to Country" acknowledges the significant Aboriginal and Torres Strait nations and recognises the ancestral spirits who created the boundaries and lands, which allows safe passage to visitors.
This acknowledgment has been Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander protocol for thousands of years and is still observed in remote Australian communities. It always occurs in the opening ceremony, preferably as the first item.
"Welcome to Country" is traditionally conducted by a representative/s of local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander custodians who welcome delegates to their country. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander protocols in relation to "Welcome to Country" are wide and diverse and will vary according to region and locality. The form of the welcome is negotiated between the Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people and the event organisers. A "Welcome to Country" may consist of a single speech, or it may include some kind of performance (a song, dance, didgeridoo solo, etc) a smoking or cleansing ceremony, or it may be a combination of these.
It is important to remember that the Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander representative/s must feel comfortable with the arrangements. Rather than a gesture of tokenism and political correctness, "Welcome to Country" is a right of the local Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander custodians and not a privilege.
There are a number of channels through which event organiser may contact appropriate Aboriginal and Torres Strait people.
Reconciliation SA is an initial first stop for anyone wishing to find out appropriate people/organisation to contact. Contact should be made as early as possible in the planning of the event. It is traditional that some form of payment is made either to individuals or to an organisation for providing such a service. The exact form and amount of payment negotiated between the Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander custodians and the event organiser will depend on the type of "Welcome to Country" provided. It is strongly recommended that the "Welcome to Country" clearly identified and agreed to in writing.
Acknowledging Country and its traditional owners
Acknowledging Country and its traditional owners is a way that the wider community can demonstrate respect for the historical and cultural significance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures in Australia, their past, present and future contribution to the richness of Australian society. The Acknowledgement can be performed by any individual, Aboriginal or non-Aboriginal, participating in an occasion of any kind.
It is a demonstration of respect dedicated to the traditional custodians of the land or sea where the gathering of participants is being conducted. The practice of acknowledging the traditional custodians of country should be used at events, ceremonies, general meetings and formal gatherings and functions.
It is important to know the name of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nation whose connection to country you're acknowledging. Metro Adelaide is situated on Kaurna Land. If you'd like to find out whose land you should be acknowledging, have a look at the Aboriginal Map of Australia.
Acknowledging Kaurna Country (download)
Acknowledging Country outside of Kaurna Land (download)