Recognition is made through a formal process called Welcome to Country. It always occurs in the opening ceremony of the event, preferably as the first item. Welcome to Country is conducted by a representative (or representatives) of local Indigenous custodians who welcome the delegates to their country. Indigenous protocols in relation to Welcome to Country are wide and diverse and will vary according to region and locality. The form of the welcome is negotiated between the Indigenous people and the event organisers. For example, Welcome to Country may consist of a single speech, or it may include some kind of performance (a song, dance, didjeridu solo, etc), or it may be a combination of these. It is important to remember that the Indigenous representative/s must feel comfortable with the arrangements. Rather than a gesture of tokenism and political correctness, MSA acknowledges that Welcome to Country is a right of the local Indigenous custodians and not a privilege.

Who performs Welcome to Country?

Who performs Welcome to Country is agreed between appropriate representatives (individuals or organisation) of local Indigenous custodians and the event organisers. There are a number of channels through which event organisers may contact appropriate Indigenous people. These include the local campus Indigenous student support or study centre, a local Indigenous land council, an Aboriginal health centre, an Aboriginal legal service, or the local office of ATSIC (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission). Officers of such organisations will be able to inform the event organisers of appropriate Indigenous people to contact. Contact should be made as early as possible in the planning of the event. It is traditional that some form of payment is made either to individuals or to an organisation for providing such a service. The exact form and amount of payment is negotiated between the Indigenous custodians and the event organisers.

Responsibilities

It is the responsibility of the Convener to ensure that these arrangements are made. The Convener will make progress reports in the normal reporting process on the planning of the event. The President of the Society will ensure that satisfactory arrangements are in place by the time the event takes place.

Chapter implications

These guidelines apply to national public events of MSA which are the responsibility of the National Committee (National Conferences, National Study Weekends). In addition, Chapters are encouraged to take this process to a local level, modified as local conditions require. For example, a day-long symposium or a study weekend organised by the local Chapter may include a simple Welcome to Country in which the event organiser acknowledges the Indigenous custodians in their welcoming address (note: this requires that the group name of the local custodians is known beforehand). The extent to which Welcome to Country is extended to local events is the responsibility of local Chapter organisations, bearing in mind that as representatives of a national organisation Chapters have a responsibility to represent national policy.

Elizabeth MacKinlay & Stephen Wild

Endorsed by the National Committee 30 June 1999

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