Welcome & Acknowledgement

Uncle Bunja Smith explains the history and crucial difference between a Welcome to Country and an Acknowledgment of Country. 

A Welcome to Country is a deeply significant Aboriginal event that can only be conducted by a Traditional Owner of the land. Its origins trace back to traditional Aboriginal lore, where each group was a sovereign nation; historically, it served as a safety system akin to an induction. Visiting people would wait at a border to be welcomed, answering questions about their identity and initiation levels, which determined where they could safely go, find food and water, and avoid sacred or restricted sites. Today, the Welcome to Country is performed in a spirit of reconciliation, acknowledging the sovereign countries of Aboriginal people. 

In contrast, an Acknowledgement of Country can be performed by anyone—Aboriginal or non-Aboriginal—and is a simpler, yet important, sign of respect and true reconciliation. It involves pausing during an event or meeting to verbally recognize the Traditional Owners of the land where the gathering is taking place.