Advice regarding Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Traditional Owners at UTS
Background
On the 15th of June 2011 Academic Board of UTS approved the UTS Indigenous Education and Employment Policy (IEEP), the scope of which applies to all staff and student of UTS.
(IEEP Section 2: Scope)
The purpose of the IEEP is to give “reality to the UTS Reconciliation Statement” and subsequently “outlines in detail the University’s commitment to Indigenous education and employment and seeks to align the University’s commitment to national Indigenous Higher education objectives.”
(IEEP, Section 6: Roles and Resposibilities, point 2)
As part of that committment, the IEEP states that, “UTS acknowledges Indigenous Australians as the original Australians and ongoing custodians of “Country” who occupy a unique place within Australian society and subsequently within UTS. Therefore UTS seeks to develop an institutional identity which takes pride in and actively seeks to identify with Indigenous Australia.”
(IEEP, Section 4: Principles, point 2 )
Conseqently “UTS is committed to embedding a number of Indigenous cultural protocols into the public and ceremonial life of the University; one of these being a commitment to either seeking a Welcome to Country or giving an Acknowledgment of the Traditional Owners at UTS events.
In this regard the IEEP states the following:
“In recognising the unique position of Indigenous Australians and in seeking to identify with Indigenous Australia, UTS staff, as appropriate, will either seek a Welcome to Country or give an Acknowledgment of the Traditional Owners at all significant UTS events. These events will include but not be limited to graduation ceremonies, conferences, open days, public events etc.”
(IEEP, Section 5.2: Indigenous recognition and cultural protocols, point 2)
Please also note the UTS IEEP commitment to displaying the Australian national, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags:
“UTS will permanently display the Australian national, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags beside each other and at a prominent location on each UTS campus. The flags are also to be displayed in a prominent position at all significant UTS occasions.”
(IEEP, Section 5.2: Indigenous recognition and cultural protocols, point 3)
Flags may be borrowed from Jumbunna Indigenous House of Learning or the Equity and Diversity Unit. 
Understanding the difference between a Welcome to Country and an Acknowledgement of the Traditional Owners
Welcoming to Country and Acknowledging of the Traditional Owners are elements of Aboriginal cutural which are ancient in origin. These practices are also increasingly becomming part of Australian culture. However there is oftern some confusion regarding which is which and who can be asked to give it.
A Welcome to Country is a formal welcome onto Aboriginal land given by an Elder or person of that land. That is, someone who is a Traditional Owner of that place. As Traditional Owners it is they only who can welcome onto their Country. A Welcome to Country is not always needed and in many cases an Acknowledgment of the Traditional Owners is sufficuiently respectful.
An Acknowledgement of the Traditional Owners is a statement of recognition of the Traditional Owners of the land.That is, an acknowledgment of the Aboriginal community who historically have occupied and continute to be the cultural custodians and holders of knowledge for an area. An Acknowledgement of Country can be given by any person, Indigenous or not. As mentioned, an Acknowledgment of the Traditional Owners is usually a sufficient act of respect.
Recommended wording for an Acknowledgment of the Traditional Owners at UTS events
Giving an Acknowledgment of the Traditional Owners is an act of courtesy on the part of the speaker. Therefore it should be said in a respectful and sincere manner. It should also be given very early in the formal proceedings. Jumbunna Indigenous House of Learning, UTS suggests the following form of words for UTS staff and students :
“Before we begin the proceedings and behalf of all those present, I would like to acknowledge and pay respect to the Traditional Owners of the land on which we meet; the Gadigal and Guring-gai people of the Eora Nation. It is upon their ancestral lands that UTS stands.
Similarly, I would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for this place.”
Please note that if the event is held off UTS campuses the event may be occuring within the Country of Traditional Owners other than those mentioned. Therefore you would not refer to the “Gadigal and Guring-gai people of the Eora Nation” but another group or groups. Be advised that to incorrectly name the traditional owners would cause offence. If holding the event off UTS campuses it is recommended that you seek advice regarding the name of the Traditional Owners for that area. Regarding this you are welcome to speak with the Director of Jumbunna Indigenous House of Learning.
Prepared by Prof. Michael McDaniel
Director, Jumbunna Indigenous House of Learning,
in consultation with Indigenous colleagues.
8 September 2011
