Welcome to and Acknowledgement of Country - Proposed Policy Amendment
Update
At its meeting on 25 July 2023, Council adopted the Recognition of Noongar Boodjar Culture and History through Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country Policy.
Background
The purpose of a Welcome to Country and an Acknowledgement of Country is to recognise the unique position of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australian culture and history as the Traditional Owners of the land.
The Recognition of Noongar Boodjar Culture and History through Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country Policy is designed to provide guidance and direction to groups and organisations when planning and facilitating a Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country in the City of Vincent.
Vincent’s Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group (RAPWG) has reviewed this policy and provided guidance on the wording used for Acknowledgement to Country during meetings held in 2022.
Consultation also took place with the Aboriginal Elders who form Vincent’s Boordiyas (Bosses) Reference Group at meetings held on 21 July, 28 September and 30 November 2022 and 15 February 2023.
The Elders are recognised as heads of the Aboriginal community. They provide feedback, guidance, and advice to assist in ensuring that Noongar culture is embedded in our community’s everyday life.
Project Details
The City of Vincent aims to encourage organisers to show respect by upholding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people's cultural protocols and including a Welcome or an Acknowledgement to Country in their events and meetings.
The guidelines and protocols in The Recognition of Noongar Boodjar Culture and History through Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country Policy provide the tools needed to implement these practices.
We are now proposing the following amendments to this policy:
- Inclusion of an Acknowledgement of Country at the beginning of the document.
- Removal of the word ‘emerging’ from the wording for an Acknowledgement of Country as requested by both the Boordiyas (Bosses) and the RAP working group.
- Addition in the Purpose and Scope of ‘individuals, town teams, local groups, businesses, and charitable organisations’ who receive funding from Vincent to the list of those who are required to conduct a Welcome or an Acknowledgement.
- Addition of ‘Noongar language, traditional stories and traditional Noongar instruments’ to the section about what may be included in a Welcome to Country.
- Replacement of the word ‘process' with 'ceremony’ when describing a Welcome to Country.
- Amending the definition of a Welcome to state that the Noongar Elder will designate a representative to conduct the Welcome if they themselves are not available.
- The inclusion of ‘We would also like to acknowledge all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders’ in an example wording for an Acknowledgement of Country.
We are now seeking community comment on the proposed policy amendments.
Share your thoughts
This consultation is now closed.
The City of Vincent would like your comments on the proposed amendments to The Recognition of Noongar Boodjar Culture and History through Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country Policy.
You can share your thoughts with us in the following ways:
- by filling out the survey below
- by phone 9273 6000
- by email mail@vincent.wa.gov.au
- in person at the City of Vincent Administration Centre, 244 Vincent Street (corner Loftus Street), Leederville (during opening hours)
- in writing, hard copy surveys are available on request
Consultation closed 5pm Thursday 15 June 2023.
What will happen next?
Following the advertising period, submissions will be reviewed, and the final Recognition of Noongar Boodjar Culture and History through Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country Policy will be presented to Council.
Everyone who provided feedback will be notified when the project is due to be considered by Council. Members of the public are welcome to attend the Council Briefing and Council Meeting to ask questions or comment on the project.
Information on this page is available in alternative formats on request.
