How we recognise Traditional Owners
Understand the difference between the Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country, and explore the Traditional Custodians for our campuses.
We use both the Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country to recognise the Traditional Owners of the lands on which our campuses, centres and field stations are located. This is an important part of our commitment to genuine and ongoing reconciliation, and we encourage you to learn more about these cultural protocols.
Understand the Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country
There are two distinct cultural protocols. Wherever possible, the Aboriginal Education Centre will consult with local Aboriginal communities on the best form of recognition for each event.
The Welcome to Country (also known as a Traditional Welcome) allows Traditional Custodians to give their blessing to an event and welcome people to their land. Only a representative for the traditional clan of the location at which the function is being held can do a Welcome to Country. This person is usually an Elder.
The Welcome to Country always occurs at the start of an event.
An Acknowledgement of Country is a symbolic reconciliation gesture that recognises and pays respect to Traditional Custodians of the land on which the statement is made. It can be offered by Aboriginal or non-Aboriginal people.
If you're going to do an Acknowledgement of Country in person, you can use the following wording:
I would like to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which this event is taking place, the [name of clan or group] people, and pay my respect to Elders, past and present.
If you're sending an email you can use a general Acknowledgement such as:
Federation University Australia acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands and waters where our campuses, centres and field stations are located and we pay our respects to Elders past and present, and extend our respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and First Nations Peoples.
Aboriginal Traditional Custodians for our campuses
The Traditional Owners for this area are the Wadawurrung People. If you'd like to organise a Welcome to Country, contact the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation.
The Traditional Owners for this area are the Bunurong People. Contact the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation if you'd like to organise a Welcome to Country.
The Traditional Owners for this area are the Gunaikurnai People. If you'd like to book a Welcome to Country, contact the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation.
The Traditional Owners for this area are the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia and Jupagulk Peoples of the Wotjobaluk Nations (known collectively as the Wotjobaluk Nations Peoples). You can contact the Barengi Gadjin Land Council Aboriginal Corporation if you want to organise a Welcome to Country.
The Traditional Owners for this area are the Wurundjeri People. Contact the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation if you're interested in booking a Welcome to Country.
The Traditional Owners for this area are the Mutthi Mutthi and Barkindji People.