Womin djeka
[Welcome - what is your purpose?]
The Purpose of Acknowledging
The purpose of an Acknowledgement of Country is to acknowledge the Country you are working, living, or creating on (artsgen.org). “This is an important moment to reflect upon what it means to discover that you are surrounded by and living in Indigenous histories, and contemporary Indigenous perspectives” (St John, 2024).
Everyone apart from Traditional Owners can and should Acknowledge Country. This is not the same as a Welcome to Country, which is presented exclusively by Traditional Owners (artsgen.org). “Acknowledgement is an action, a meaningful Acknowledgement is not about the public-facing outcome but about the deep understanding and commitment to unsettling this place” (artsgen.org).
Your Purpose
In an Acknowledgement of Country, you should also identify your purpose. What do you intend to do here on Aboriginal land? As a designer, this may involve researching, testing, presenting, or collaborating. Be specific and speak sincerely. You might consider acknowledging the vast history of art and design that has existed here before you. An Acknowledgement of Country is an opportunity to be mindful about your surroundings, and to orient yourself within the oldest surviving culture on Earth (Fox-McPhee, 2023).