What is a Welcome to Country?
A Welcome to Country is a traditional ceremony conducted by Aboriginal Traditional Owners to welcome people to their land and give their blessing for the event. This formal tradition is an important mark of respect for Aboriginal peoples as Australia’s original inhabitants and recognises the continuing connection of Traditional Owners to their Country.
A Welcome to Country may involve musical and dance performances, stories, ceremony, or be a combination of these elements.
Victoria has a strong and proud Aboriginal history, comprising of complex ownership and land stewardship systems stretching back many thousands of years.
Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Traditional Owners can play a part in the process of reconciliation and healing, in addition to affording the appropriate respect to Traditional Owners of Country.
Who can perform a Welcome to Country or Acknowledgment of Traditional Owners?
Anyone can provide an Acknowledgement of Traditional Owners to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land.
A Welcome to Country must be conducted by an appropriate person, such as a significant person or Elder from the Traditional Owner Group where the event is being held. It is important to note that non-Aboriginal people cannot deliver a Welcome to Country and this is considered offensive.
How to book
Please note: the City of Melbourne and Aboriginal Melbourne are not able to book a Welcome to Country and / or Traditional Owner engagement on your behalf. If you would like to make a booking, please read below.
To book a Welcome to Country for an event or function, in Victoria, you should contact the local Registered Aboriginal Party (RAP) External link. You can find the RAP for the land on which the event is to be held at the Welcome to Country and Acknowledgements Map External link. Some RAPs have an online booking form, others may require email or phone calls to coordinate the Welcome to Country.
If there is no RAP within the locality where the event is to take place, or you are unable to verify the Traditional Owners, contact a local Aboriginal organisation External link, who would be best positioned to inform you who the Traditional Owner Group is. If you are unable to identify the local Traditional Owners, you may wish to pay recognition and respect by delivering a personalised Acknowledgment of Country.
The Traditional Owners of the land governed by the City of Melbourne are the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong / Boon Wurrung peoples of the Kulin.
