29/04/2025
I'm going to wade into the "Welcome to Country" debate because I think I've identified a common but fundamental misunderstanding in what the ceremony means.
I don't want to talk about when they should be held, how long they should go for, or whether they should be used for political statements. But I do want to talk about what it actually means to be "Welcomed to Country", because this is what I think people get wrong.
To be clear, you're not being welcomed to someone's "country" in the geopolitical sense we usually understand it. It's not someone's territorial possession like we own property, it's something deeply spiritual.
Now there are High Court rulings that do actually give Indigenous Australians a very real legal right to Australian land based on our own common law, but that's not what this is about.
Indigenous lore sees the land like we see God, it's a spiritual being... a presence. It's not just where their ancestors lived, it's where they still exist... every single ancestor they have ever had. Their entire belief system is inextricably linked to the land, it's as sacred to them as a consecrated church.
Now I understand "Welcome to Countries" are a relatively new formality in their current form, but if you understand what Indigenous people are trying to say to you then you might feel differently about pausing to listen to it.
They aren't welcoming you to THEIR territory, they're welcoming you to be present on SACRED territory. You're walking upon the land their nation has cared for since the start of time.
Yet, for your presence on this deeply holy land, they only ask that you take a moment to respect their ancestors who continue to exist within the land. That's it... and with that they wish us well, and promise us protection, and usually express great joy that this happy gathering is happening on this land.
Now you might suggest it's all a silly superstition, but if you respect the religious beliefs of Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Jews, and Buddhists... this is no more fanciful. Why does this religion not get the same respect?
Personally, when I understand why Indigenous people are performing this ceremony, I can see it's a genuine attempt to involve me and the rest of Australia in their culture. They are allowing us to be a part of a new religious ceremony to celebrate an ancient civilisation, and they're doing it in a way intended to make us feel... welcome. How beautiful.
We talk a lot about reconciliation, but most people just expect Indigenous Australians to fully assimilate into our society and be happy with that. That's not true reconciliation.
The Welcome to Country is an attempt by some to introduce a tiny part of their 60,000 year culture into our broader national identity by teaching us about their deeply personal relationship with "country" and integrating it within some of our other national traditions, be they sport, politics, celebrations, or commemorations.
It's a moment where Indigenous Australians truly attempt to reconcile their ancient customs and values with ours.
..and white Australians boo them.
I think we can be better than this.
