Local Musings - Acknowledgement to Country

by Doug Patterson

Questions have been raised about the appropriateness of beginning community meetings with an Acknowledgement to Country. I would like to explore the origins and history of this salutation and why it would seem appropriate to be used to open meetings.

Acknowledgement of Country acknowledges that First Nations People inhabited and cared for the land before Terra Australis was claimed. It is not only a mark of respect for a culture much older than ours, it also acknowledges the impact of colonisation on that culture.

Along with Welcome to Country Ceremonies, Acknowledgement of Country emerged in the 1990s, post Mabo, Keating years of the early reconciliation movement. Wikipedia suggests that it grew organically among “grassroot” communities concerned with issues of reconciliation. 

So, despite recent claims that it is just a politically correct, government imposition, the origins of Acknowledgement of Country are grassroots and governments have responded to the will of the people.

By 2008, Kevin Rudd had introduced Acknowledgement of Country into the ceremonial opening of the Federal Parliament and since then it has become a core practice accepted and used by all levels of government, universities, community groups, sporting events and art groups. It is now used widely throughout the community although its significance and relevance may at times be lost. 

The practice of beginning meetings with Acknowledgement of Country now has bi-partisan, political support although some conservative elements do oppose it. However, the Commonwealth Government of Australia begins every session of the Federal Parliament with an Acknowledgement of Country and a Prayer. Most, if not every State and Territory legislature sessions begin the same way.

The Sunshine Coast Regional Council includes an Acknowledgement of Country in opening its meetings. Every level of government in Queensland, irrespective of political affiliation, has adopted an Acknowledgement of Country as a meaningful and appropriate way to start their meetings.

In some states, including Queensland, the State Government has decreed that every meeting of departmental bureaucracy must begin with an Acknowledgement of Country. It has also produced guidelines for when it should be included as part of the agenda and conduct of meetings. 

It specifically identifies the meetings of Parents and Citizen Associations, Significant Community Forums and Community Concerts and Events as situations where Acknowledgement of Country should be given by the Chair or MC.

Therefore, there is a clear and unambiguous State expectation that we should acknowledge Country before each and every meeting.

In addition to this, Acknowledgement of Country seems particularly relevant to us on the Blackall Range. For centuries, Baroon Pocket lay at the heart of the Blackall Range.

Baroon Pocket had been recognised as a meeting place for First Nations People across the central Coast of Eastern Australia, but it was initially considered primarily a site for Bunya Nut feasts and social activity.

It is only comparatively recently that historians came to realise that the real importance of Baroon Pocket was political. It was a meeting place for hundreds of East Coast Nations to come together to settle disputes, confirm borders and passage rights, arrange marriages between Nations and build alliances.

There was a social aspect to these gatherings; the sharing of stories, songs, dances and feasting; just like there is in contemporary political forums, but the main purpose was political. It coincided with the triennial fruiting on the Bunya Tree because that ensured there was adequate food to support such a large gathering.

It was the ‘United Nations’ for First Nations People who lived along a thousand kilometres of the Eastern coast of Australia centuries before western civilisation formed its own United Nations.

Acknowledgement of Country is particularly relevant to us for, although the Nalbo Clan of the Jinibara People had primary responsibility for the care of Baroon Pocket, it was in essence an international site.

It is unconscionable that we would not acknowledge with respect the people and culture that came before us.