Place → Country
Where Am I?
RMIT is situated on a contested border between the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation. As a result, the university formally recognises both language groups in our official Acknowledgement of Country (RMIT, 2024). When Acknowledging Country, you might also like to extend your acknowledgement to Traditional Owners in other parts of Australia where you conduct your creative practice. For example, I might acknowledge Wiradjuri Country — where I grew up and where my parents still live — as I often spend time working there there.
Huon Hill, Wiradjuri Country (AdobeStock, 2024).
Know Whose Land You Are On
“Wherever you are in Australia you are on the lands and waters of Australia’s First Peoples” (AIATSIS, 2022). Learning about the traditional place names and Traditional Owners of the communities we live in and travel to is important in recognising and acknowledging First Nations histories and knowledges. Dr Peter West at RMIT suggests identifying whose land you are on currently as well as considering whose land you might have visited recently (2024). A great place to start is the AIATSIS Map (1996) which highlights the many different and distinct groups which make up Indigenous Australia.