Welcome or Acknowledgement of Country

Welcome or Acknowledgement of Country

A welcome to Country is where an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander traditional owner, custodian or Elder welcomes people to their land. Welcoming visitors has been a part of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture for thousands of years.

A Welcome to Country always occurs at the opening of an event and is usually the first item of the program. The local Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander custodian or traditional owner conducts the ceremony which may take the form of a speech, song, ceremony, or a combination of all of these things.

An Acknowledgment of Country is a way of showing respect and awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander owners of the land on which an event is being held, by recognising the connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to their Country.

To learn more, visit the Reconciliation South Australia website