Acknowledgement of Country

An Acknowledgement of Country is a statement that recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the land. It allows Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people to pay their respects to the Traditional Custodians of the lands they are on and to seek permission to speak and travel on their land. It also recognises the continuing connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to Country.

Unlike a Welcome to Country, anyone can deliver an Acknowledgement of Country. It should be done at the commencement of an in-person or online meeting, speech or other event. The NSW Public Service Commission provides guidance on how to deliver an Acknowledgement of Country in different settings, including in person and for online events.

The following is an example Acknowledgement of Country:

I acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands that we are meeting here today – I am coming to you from the lands of the people of the nation. I pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging and celebrate the diversity of Aboriginal peoples and their ongoing cultures and connections to the lands and waters of NSW.

I also acknowledge and pay my respects to our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples/colleagues joining us today.

Title: Bourke Aboriginal Tours, Bourke.
Description: Cultural Knowledge being shared by a Bourke Aboriginal Tours guide, Bourke NSW.
Photo credit: Destination NSW (content.destinationnsw.com.au)