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A Welcome to Country is a ceremony performed by Traditional Custodians to welcome visitors to their ancestral land. It can only be done by Traditional Custodians of the land you're on. If no Traditional Custodian is available, a First Nations person from a different nation, or a non-Indigenous person, may do an Acknowledgement of Country instead. A Welcome to Country usually takes place at the beginning of an event. The ceremony can take many forms, including singing, dancing, smoking ceremonies or a speech, depending on the particular culture of Traditional Custodians.
Referenced from Australians Together.
Email is the best option to request a Welcome to Country, use the email template below to the appropriate contacts.
Note that it is best practice to send a request minimum six weeks prior to the event date.
Dear <Country> Elder,
Hope this message finds you well.
Please find “Quotation for Welcome to Country - <Name of Event etc>” information below.
To confirm your availability and costs for service, please send your reply to this email.
Name of Event:
Request of Service: Quotation for the delivery of a Welcome to Country (include additional if preferred) performance
Date:
Arrive Time: 00.00am/pm
Start Time: 00.00am/pm
Time allocated in run sheet: 10 minutes maximum (5 minutes at best)
Venue and Address:
Event Contact:
Email:
Mobile:
Kerry Neill is a Kabi Kabi/Gubbi Gubbi man from the Sunshine Coast region in South East Queensland. Kerry has been working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in community services, health and education for the past eight years. Kerry has facilitated anger management courses within correctional facilities and schools across NSW, and has been an Aboriginal dancer and didgeridoo player touring all over Australia and the USA. Kerry has also been involved in the writing and delivery of cross cultural communication, dance, health and behaviour management programs across NSW and Queensland. He has had a strong upbringing in his Aboriginal (Kabi Kabi/Gubbi Gubbi) culture and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to cultural awareness training program participants.
Contact: Kabi Kabi Peoples Aboriginal Corporation
Website: kabikabination.com.au
Email: [email protected]
Contact: Jinibara People Aboriginal Corporation
Email: [email protected]
Contact: Turrbal Dippil
Website: turrbal.com.au/turrbal-dippil/welcome-to-country-ceremony
Email: [email protected]
If you are unsure of who to contact (as not clear on the Native Title map) please complete the standard request and send to [email protected]
It is appropriate and fair to pay for cultural services such as a Welcome to Country because of the time, effort and cultural knowledge included in the service. Fees need to be negotiated with the Traditional Owners when planning the event and the inclusion of traditional dance or a smoking ceremony will generally involve a higher payment.
Reference - QTIC Best Practice Guide for Working with First Nations Tourism in Queensland.
There are a couple of key items to remember when seeking to engage Traditional Owners to deliver Welcome to Country:
1. Book well in advance, minimum six (6) weeks out.
2. Follow the template below when sending your request:
Dear Traditional Custodians,
Hope this message finds you well.
Please find “Quotation Request - Welcome to Country” information as follows.
Name of Event:
Request of Service: Quotation for the delivery of a Welcome to Country performance
Date:
Arrive Time:
Start Time:
Time allocated in run sheet: 10 minutes
Venue and Address:
Event Contact:
Email:
Mobile:
Please send your reply to this address.
Thank you all.
Your email signature
3. Follow up a week after initial send if you have not heard back around availability.
4. If unable to secure a Welcome to Country, look to deliver an Acknowledgement of Country.