An Acknowledgement of Country is now a familiar part of many Australian workplaces, community events and public ceremonies. But beyond the words, its purpose is to recognise something fundamental: the continuing connection First Nations peoples have to Country and their unique status as the Traditional Owners of this land.

At its heart, an Acknowledgement of Country is a recognition of First Nations peoples’ unique relationship with Australia’s lands and waters, says Joel Wright, corporate development manager and First Nations specialist at Mob Jobs, which supports Indigenous employment and workplace inclusion through recruitment services, cultural training and advisory programs for organisations.

“The Acknowledgement of Country acts as a signpost by saying ‘we are acknowledging these people because we recognise their unique status here in this country’,” he says.

Done well, it is an opportunity to demonstrate respect, build cultural understanding and recognise Australia’s history. But importantly, says Wright, it is entirely different to a Welcome to Country.

“While an Acknowledgement of Country can be delivered by anyone, a Welcome to Country can only be provided by a Traditional Owner of the land where the welcome is taking place,” he says.

“It is really critical because an unauthorised Welcome to Country is not only disrespectful, it disenfranchises the Traditional Owners as well,” he adds.

When it matters

In workplaces, Acknowledgement of Countries are often delivered at the beginning of meetings to help set the tone for respectful engagement and demonstrate an organisation’s commitment to cultural awareness. They are also increasingly used at conferences, webinars and industry events, board meetings, governance forums, and when welcoming new staff members or graduate cohorts.

There are also more specific occasions where an Acknowledgement of Country can play an important role in creating a culturally safe and respectful environment, says Wright.

“If you are interviewing a First Nations job applicant, providing an Acknowledgement of Country at the commencement of the interview can help signal that the organisation recognises and respects their identity, culture and connection to Country,” he says.

Beyond the workplace, acknowledgements are also valuable during community engagement, particularly when working with First Nations businesses, organisations and communities.

“The decision to deliver one often reflects an organisation’s corporate values regarding reconciliation and First Nations rights,” says Wright.

An Acknowledgement is also appropriate following a Welcome to Country delivered by a Traditional Owner. In this context, it is a matter of courtesy and reflects broader protocols of respect, by recognising the significance of the welcome that has been offered.

“It is international protocol as well,” says Wright. “It’s common courtesy to acknowledge the people who have welcomed you.”

In New Zealand, the closest equivalent to an Acknowledgement of Country is a mihi whakatau or pōwhiri, which are Māori welcoming practices that recognise the relationship between people, place and community. And, in the US and Canada, many universities, museums, governments and organisations provide land acknowledgements recognising the Indigenous peoples connected to a particular place.

More than words

A meaningful Acknowledgement of Country begins with accuracy, says Wright.

This includes correctly identifying the Traditional Owners of the land, recognising that sovereignty was never ceded, acknowledging the enduring nature of First Nations peoples’ connection to Country, waters and sky, and paying respect to Elders past and present.

“Getting these elements right matters because the Acknowledgement is ultimately about recognition,” he says. “It is a way of saying that the histories, cultures and ongoing relationships of First Nations peoples are valued and respected.”

Language also matters. Taking the time to learn the correct pronunciation of a Traditional Owner group’s name is an important sign of respect.

“Hearing people mispronounce the words really does detract from the impact of the Acknowledgement,” says Wright.

Moving beyond a script

Many organisations begin with a scripted Acknowledgement of Country, which can provide a useful starting point. They help people understand the key elements that should be included and provide confidence for those delivering one for the first time.

However, an Acknowledgement becomes more meaningful when it moves beyond a set of memorised words, says Wright.

“A scripted version should be used as a starting point – as a reference point for people to then personalise the Acknowledgement in their own way,” he says.

“As with any cultural practice, it is the understanding and intention behind the words that matter most. A meaningful Acknowledgement requires taking the time to learn about the Country on which it is being delivered, the Traditional Owners connected to that land, and the history and culture that underpin the relationship between people and place,” he says.

“That will transform an Acknowledgement from a generic statement into something grounded in respect.”

Reconciliation in action at CA ANZ

Learn more about how we’re supporting reconciliation – and how the CA ANZ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Member Panel ensures First Nations voices help shape our reconciliation journey.