Develop your Acknowledgement of Country

An Acknowledgement of Country is an opportunity to show respect for Traditional Owners and the continuing connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to Country. You can learn more about Australia’s rich Aboriginal culture and share this with your friends, family, colleagues and community. It can be given by both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and non-Aboriginal people.

Steps to take action

1. Read the Red Cross guide to Acknowledgment of Country and Welcome to Country and understand why they are important practices.
2. Read some example Acknowledgment of Country statements to start thinking about what you might like to say.
3. Develop your own Acknowledgment of Country. Personalise and localise your acknowledgement to make it meaningful to you. You can invite Red Cross staff to talk more with you about this.
4. Speak to the meeting organiser and let them know you would like to do an Acknowledgment of Country at the start of meetings or events.
5. You might like to research some key dates or events coming up to inform your audience, including Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC week.
6. Encourage your friends and colleagues to develop their own Acknowledgment of Country.

Helpful resources

• Red Cross Reconciliation Action Plan
• Red Cross Statement
• Reconciliation Australia Welcome to Country Guide
• Map of Indigenous Australia on AIATSIS website
• Watch this video of people undertaking the action - Learn more about Acknowledgment of Country
• Listen to this TEDX talk from Shelley Rees AO on why this is so important