Acknowledging Traditional Custodians and Welcome to Country Protocol
The Town of Port Hedland is committed to reconciliation with First Australians. In 2016 the Town lodged a Reconciliation Action Plan with Reconciliation Australia. The plan outlines the actions we will take over a four year period as we work towards building better relationships between the wider community and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for the benefit of current and future generations.
As part of this plan, we have committed to setting up clear protocols that ensure we promote respect for the local Traditional Custodians of the land where we do business. One of these is our protocol for ‘Welcome and Acknowledgement of Country’.
The Town of Port Hedland will ensure that a correct ‘Acknowledgement of Country’ will be performed appropriately at all Town events, forums and meetings. We will also identify at least one significant event for which a ‘Welcome to Country’ from a Traditional Custodian will be included.
These are two distinct cultural protocols and the distinction between these protocols is important as it can cause offence if they are confused.
Welcome to Country
A Welcome to Country is when the Traditional Custodian of the land or Elder welcomes people to their land. This can be done through a speech, dance, song, traditional smoking ceremony or a combination of these.
A Welcome to Country is required for opening significant events or new facilities, particularly when there are a large number of people involved.
The Welcome to Country ceremony should be the first activity at the event. After the ceremony, the speaker or MC immediately following should then thank the Elder/s who provided the Welcome to Country, and acknowledge the traditional owners of the land by using the ‘Acknowledgement of Country’ in its specific form (below).
As can be expected for any consultant providing a service, Traditional Custodians or Elders will often charge a fee for providing a Welcome to Country ceremony.
Acknowledgement of Country
An Acknowledgement of Country takes places at the beginning of a meeting (of any size) and allows the first speaker or MC to recognise the Traditional Custodians of the land on which the meeting is occurring. Subsequent speakers may also choose to recognise the Traditional Custodians as they please. This Acknowledgement is also required at the beginning of key strategic documents and on email signatures.
When should Acknowledgement of Country be used?
- At team or business unit meetings and when bringing people from across the Town of Port Hedland together.
- When hosting visitors from outside the Town of Port Hedland.
- When people have travelled to meet.
- When discussing issues Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (especially important).
Acknowledgement of Country
A specific Acknowledgement of Country should be used whenever possible. If you are unsure of the local Traditional Owners, our Community Engagement Team will be able to assist you. There are also a number of Aboriginal organisations in Port Hedland that are able to provide information about local Traditional Owners including maps and information regarding correct pronunciation.
Speaking only for Port Hedland
When speaking about the land that you are standing on when you are in the Port Hedland Township you would acknowledge the Kariyarra people:
“I/The Town of Port Hedland would like to acknowledge the Kariyarra people as the Traditional Custodians of this land. I/We recognise their strength and resilience and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.”
“I/The Town of Port Hedland extend that respect to all Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people of the local community, and recognise their rich cultures and their continuing connection to land and waters.”
Speaking about all the lands of the Town of Port Hedland
When speaking for the whole Town of Port Hedland area (Local Government boundaries) you would use a different acknowledgement. This acknowledgement is often used in strategic documents:
“I/The Town of Port Hedland would like to acknowledge the Kariyarra, Ngarla, and Nyamal people as the Traditional Custodians of the Town of Port Hedland lands. We recognise their strength and resilience and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.”
“I/We extend that respect to all Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people of the local community, and recognise their rich cultures and their continuing connection to land and waters.”