It’s complicated to articulate into words the importance of these ancient cultural protocols, as well as the intent behind a person’s actions and importance of continually acknowledging and paying respect and homage to Country. Whether that be your own Country, someone else’s Country that you happen to call “home” for now, or one you’re just visiting.

As Blakfullas, growing up there was an inherent learnt respect for Country – to leave things as you found them (if not in better condition), to pick up rubbish instead of littering, to only take as much as you need and to always think about the Old People who were here before us.

Having grown up a little now, as well as having the privilege to travel both for work and for fun, there’s still that obvious inherent respect for Country, but a more mindful, reflective one as well.

So, as I’ve taken the time to sit down, reflect and write some things down about how we can all walk, live and play on Country respectfully and with purpose.

ACKNOWLEDGE THE TRADITIONAL CUSTODIANS

This is an integral part of travelling, holidaying or working on Aboriginal/First Nations lands. Many mob have different cultural ways of doing this and there isn’t a “right or wrong answer”. I do have some suggestions for you though, so don’t stress. 

I always find Uncle Google to be a good start when finding out who the Traditional Custodians of the Country where you are meeting to be a good start point. As we know, some information can be unreliable, but if we use our deadly brains, we can weed out some of the more clinical (and potentially wrong) answers. Look for local ACCO’s (Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations), Aboriginal Land Councils and Health Services. Who are they acknowledging? 

Depending on the information found we can continue on from there. Be mindful though that sometimes the information could be incorrect, there could be multiple clan groups to acknowledge, or conflicting groups. But, don’t get too overwhelmed here. My rule of thumb is to just acknowledge everyone I can, so that no one is forgotten.

It is essential that we pay tribute to the custodians who have cared for Country for tens of thousands of years, of who many after colonisation, lost their lives protecting kin and Country. 

When we acknowledge Country and them, we acknowledge their sacrifice, their connection to the land and their continuing guardianship and custodianship of Country.

REFLECT AND RESPECT ON WHY YOU ARE HERE

Ask yourself – what is my purpose of being here? Is it for a work conference? Is it for a holiday? Is this somewhere I live or work? Remembering wherever we are – it always was, always will be Aboriginal land. Regardless of the specific reason for you being on Country, we should remember and continue to care for Country, we must follow the direction of the Traditional Custodians. For 60,000+ years there have been cultural protocols for the Country you are on. With Lore to be abided by when visiting or residing on these places, and in respect of true self-determination, we must be aware of this Lore and follow these Aboriginal ways and voices.

WALK RESPECTFULLY AND CARE FOR COUNTRY

While it might not always be easily accessible to know what the cultural protocol and Lore for the Country you’re on is, my little self-checklist that I do is as follows:

• Do I know what Country I am on now? As spoken about above, especially in work situations, have I gone to the local ACCO’s and asked around, or am I just taking the first bit of information that’s presented to me and running with it?

• Have I acknowledged, either internally or externally, that I am on a different Country than my own? It may seem like such an insignificant thing for those that don’t understand what connection to Country feels like. But for Mob, grounding oneself on Country is a centrepiece of who we are.

• Do I know any Mob that I can get in contact with that can guide me on sacred sites, massacre sites, or other important places I should avoid or visit (with permission) in my time there?

• Do I need to be particularly careful around tourist attractions and must-see nature spots? (Hint, it’s probably yes). The first place that comes to mind is Wadjemup (Rottnest Island) when speaking on this point. At first glance it’s a cute little coastal island, where the even cuter quokkas live. But if we look past the Instagram pics of quokka selfies we’d know that this place holds significant pre/post-colonial history for First Nations Mob.

• Following the good ole saying “take only photos, leave only footprints”. But even then, I would be considering whether I should be taking a photo of the place I am at, or if I should be sharing that photo on a public platform. Out of respect for sacred sites, families and communities.