Acknowledgement of Country and Welcome to Country Protocols Acknowledgement of Country and Welcome to Country Protocols

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are the original peoples of this land. Welcome to Country and Acknowledgment of Country are ways to recognise their unique position as traditional custodians, and to acknowledge the continuing significance of Indigenous people in Australian culture and history. We acknowledge the first peoples of this country who have lived with Creator God through the whole of creation of land, sea, waterways and life.

Aunt Joan Hendriks, Elder. Doctor of the University, Honoris Causa In line with Australian Catholic IMPORTANCE OF University’s commitment to Aboriginal ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY and Torres Strait Islander education, AND WELCOME TO COUNTRY employment and research, ACU is Ceremonies and protocols are a committed to improving educational fundamental part of Aboriginal and outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Torres Strait Islander cultures. Valuing Strait Islander students and increasing and respecting Aboriginal and Torres the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander protocols, practices, events Strait Islander employees. On-going and activities are important to increasing developments against these outcomes have the understanding and mutual respect been achieved through: for cultural practices by both Aboriginal • The development and implementation and Torres Strait Islanders and the wider of a RAP community. • Increasing representation of Aboriginal Incorporating welcoming and and Torres Strait Islander peoples acknowledegment protocols into official on key University decision-making meetings and events recognises Aboriginal committees and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and custodians of • Implemented the Aboriginal and Torres their land. It promotes an awareness of Strait Islander Employment Strategy the past and ongoing connection to place 2018 - 2020 of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander • Maintained the Aboriginal and Torres Australians. Strait Islander Staff network We encourage ACU staff and students to • Developed the Aboriginal and Torres acknowledge our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Strategy Strait Islander communities at the start of • Continued the commitment to public events and events of significance. providing welcoming and culturally safe space for students to study in an environment that promotes positive Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander identity • Developing the Cultural Capabilities of all University staff. Welcome to Country

Welcome to Country generally occur at significant events and are given by a local Elder who is a Traditional Owner. A Welcome to Country is a ceremony that is delivered or in some instances performed by Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander peoples to welcome visitors to their traditional land. It can take many forms, depending on the particular culture of the traditional owners, and can include singing, dancing, smoking ceremonies or a speech in traditional language.

PROTOCOL FOR WELCOME TO When organising a Welcome to Country, COUNTRY it is important to consider the following Protocols for welcoming visitors to factors: Country have been a part of Aboriginal • The Elder or community member is and Torres Strait Islander cultures for provided with information regarding thousands of years. Despite the absence the audience they are welcoming of fences or visible borders, Aboriginal • The equipment the Elder or community and Torres Strait Islander groups had member is required to use if applicable, clear boundaries or landmarks separating for example, a microphone and being their Country from that of other groups. on a stage Crossing into another group’s Country required a request for permission to enter • Offering transport where necessary and when that permission was granted • The Elder may require assistance of a the hosting group would welcome the support person visitors, offering them safe passage. • Cultural services such as Welcome Today these protocols have been adapted to Country are using Aboriginal and to contemporary circumstances but the Torres Strait Islander peoples’ cultural importance of welcoming visitors and knowledges and intellectual property. offering safe passage remains. Providers of these services should be The Welcome to Country ceremony is appropriately remunerated. delivered by Elders who are Traditional • Advanced notice is suggested to be able Owners and recognised as the Aboriginal to accommodate the request. community spokesperson or by an established local cultural service provider. The Coordinator of the Indigenous Higher Education Unit on your campus can assist in nominating the appropriate Elder or organisation. Acknowledgement of Country

An Acknowledgement of Country is PROTOCOL FOR an opportunity for anyone to show ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY respect for Traditional Owners and the Where the name of the Traditional Owner continuing connection of Aboriginal group is known, it is specifically used. and Torres Strait Islander peoples to Where it is not known, or Native Title is not resolved, a general acknowledgement Country. It can be informal or formal of Country is given. and used at meetings or small events. Within ACU the Indigenous Higher If possible the speaker or meeting Education Units should be the first coordinator can commence the point of contact in exploring options for meeting by Acknowledging Country. Acknowledgement of Country. An Acknowledgement of Country Below are two standardised values and respects the Traditional ‘Acknowledgments’ that correctly Owners of the land on which the acknowledge the traditional custodians for meeting or event is being held, and the appropriate reasons. recognises the long and continuing connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to their Country. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 1 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 2 Face to face Acknowledgment Multiple campus teleconference and In recognition of Aboriginal and Torres video conference Acknowledgment Strait Islander peoples spiritual and In recognising Aboriginal and Torres cultural connection to Country and Strait Islander peoples’ spiritual and in continuing ACU’s commitment cultural connection to Country and to Reconciliation, it is customary in continuing ACU’s commitment to to acknowledge Country as we pass Reconciliation, I would like to commence through. Today we acknowledge and the meeting by acknowledging the First pay our respects to the First Peoples, the Peoples and the Traditional Owners and Traditional Owners and custodians of the custodians of the Country where ACU lands and waterways. We thank them for campuses are located. their continued custodianship. We respectfully acknowledge our Elders We acknowledge and celebrate the past and present and remember that they continuation of a living culture that have passed on their wisdom to us in has a unique role in this region. We various ways. Let us hold this in trust as acknowledge Elders past and present and we work and serve our communities. thank them for their wisdom and guidance as we walk in their footsteps. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 2 Multiple campus teleconference and video conference Acknowledgment In recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ spiritual and cultural connection to Country and in continuing ACU’s commitment to Reconciliation, I would like to commence the meeting by acknowledging the First Peoples and the Traditional Owners and custodians of the Country where ACU campuses are located. We respectfully acknowledge our Elders past and present and remember that they have passed on their wisdom to us in various ways. Let us hold this in trust as we work and serve our communities.

There are four Indigenous Higher Education Units across seven ACU campuses, and these are detailed below.

TRADITIONAL CAMPUS UNIT PRONUNCIATION CUSTODIAN

Signadou Dhara Daramoolen Ngunnawal Peoples Nun-a-wal (Earth, Spirit)

Aquinas Jim-baa-yer Wadawurrung Peoples Wuther-rong Ballarat (To Learn - To Teach) from the Kulin Nation

St Patrick’s Jim-baa-yer Wurundjeri Peoples Were-un-jeree Melbourne (To Learn - To Teach) from the Kulin Nation

St Francis of Jim-baa-yer Peoples Gar-na Assisi (To Learn - To Teach) Adelaide

McAuley Weemala Turrabul and Jaggera Tour-able Brisbane (Distant View) Peoples Yug-ger-uh

MacKillop Yalbalinga Cammeraygal Clan Cam-mer-ray-gal North Sydney (Place of Learning)

Mount Saint Yalbalinga Wangal Clan Won-gal Mary (Place of Learning) Strathfield CRICOS registered provider: 00004G The University reserves the right to amend, cancel or otherwise modify the content content the modify without notice. otherwise or cancel amend, to right the reserves University The printing. of time at correct 2019): Information (February Disclaimer Gilimbaa. by Pathways Equity and Peoples for First exclusively created was artwork this that We acknowledge