An Acknowledgement of Country is a statement of recognition of the ongoing owners of the land. It can be performed by any person as a way to show respect for Aboriginal peoples, cultures and heritage and the relationship the ongoing custodians have with the land.

Who

• May be performed by any person - Aboriginal or non-Aboriginal (but generally by a non-Aboriginal person) - as a way to show awareness of and respect for Aboriginal peoples, their culture and heritage.
• Can be used exclusively if an Elder or other appropriate member of the local Aboriginal community is not available to perform a Welcome to Country.

When

• Can be used independently for smaller or internal events.
• Should be the first item on the agenda. The only exception is if it follows a Welcome to Country.
• If you are at an official event and directly follow an Elder performing a Welcome to Country, it is appropriate to make a brief Acknowledgement as a sign of respect for that Elder.

What

• Acknowledgement of Country is a respectful and easy practice to engage in. All Department of Education staff are encouraged to demonstrate appropriate acknowledgement of the ongoing custodians of Country at any forum - from general office meetings (including videoconference and teleconference meetings) to formal gatherings, functions, events and ceremonies.
• Examples of Acknowledgements of Country are provided below.

At the start of a meeting or function, the chair or speaker begins by acknowledging that the meeting is taking place on the Country of the ongoing custodians. Where the name of the ongoing custodians is known, it is specifically used. Where it is not known, a general acknowledgement is given.

There is no 'set' wording for an Acknowledgement of Country but you can use the following:

Specific acknowledgement

I would like to acknowledge that we meet on the homelands of the [insert name] people who are the Ongoing Custodians of this land. I pay respect to Elders past and present and emerging of the [insert name] nation and extend that respect to other Aboriginal people [or 'other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people'] here today.

General acknowledgement

I would like to pay my respect and acknowledge the Ongoing Custodians of the land on which we gather. I pay respect to Elders past and present and extend that respect to other Aboriginal people [or 'other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people'] here today.

Specific acknowledgement – online meeting

I acknowledge that I am hosting/recording this meeting/webinar from the lands of the [insert name] people.

I also acknowledge the Ongoing Custodians of the various lands on which you all work today and pay respect to Elders past and present and emerging and extend that respect to other Aboriginal people [or 'other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people'] joining us today.

General acknowledgment – online meeting

I acknowledge the Ongoing Custodians of the various lands on which we work today and pay respect to Elders past and present and emerging and extend that respect to other Aboriginal people [or 'other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people'] joining us today.

Notes

While these guidelines generally use the term, 'Aboriginal people', we are referring to both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Don’t worry too much about making a mistake in attempting an Acknowledgement of Country. It's okay not to get it right the first time you try, and many people have difficulty pronouncing the names of Aboriginal Country. The intention - the spirit of the offering - is what matters most. Do ask for feedback or correction, though, if you are unsure if you have got the pronunciation or any other aspect of the Acknowledgement of Country right.