Written by: Jacqui Sealy – The Pro Forum Community of Practice

The ProForum acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia, and we pay our respects to Elders past and present.

An Acknowledgement of Country is about promoting awareness of the history and culture of Indigenous people and formally acknowledges their ongoing connection to the land.  A Welcome to Country or Acknowledgement of Country is becoming increasing common in government departments, particularly in events, meetings, and presentations to visitors, whereby it is mentioned at the start of the presentation.

The significance of acknowledging the original owners of the land is not so much just a protocol that some Government departments choose to take, but a sign of respect to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Owners of the land.  It recognises the continuing connection that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have to their land.

This week is National Reconciliation Week with the theme this year as “Be Brave. Make Change”.  This theme was chosen to challenge all Australiana to Be Brave and tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation to Make Change that benefits all Australians.  Each year, hundreds of events are held to teach and share the histories, cultures, and achievements of reconciliation in Australia.

For more information about what National Reconciliation Week, visit reconciliation in Australia at –

https://nrw.reconciliation.org.au/about-nrw/

 

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