Activity: Reflecting on Welcome to Country
Reflecting on Welcome to Country and what memories I have of a particularly compelling experience would be during a recent family holiday with my husband and 3 daughters to Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island). During our trip, we took part in an incredibly memorable cultural tour with Matthew Burns; a local Quandamooka man and a traditional owner of Minjerribah, who performed a Welcome to Country for our family. This included a traditional smoking ceremony, followed by a digeridoo performance. We all felt incredibly honoured and grateful to be welcomed to Minjerribah by Matt, in such an intimate family ceremony.
When considering the preparation involved in performing for an Acknowledgment of Country, my first conversation was with my husband; an Erub Islander (Torres Strait) who always has much wisdom to share regarding First Nations (FN) matters. His advice included; announcing yourself and acknowledging elders past, present and emerging; talking about what the Acknowledgement of Country means: respecting the country we are on and offering a learning journey to enlighten the audience about the local country/culture.
In addition to this, I researched cultural histories of the lands to which I feel deep connections; these include; Kalkadoon country (Mount Isa), where I was born and raised; a very remote regional town in far north-western Queensland, that has a magical desert landscape and a considerable FN population. The Djirbaingan and Mbabaram land on the Atherton Tablelands, where both my mother and father were raised; I also continue to feel a deep connection when I visit extended family. Today my family and I live in Meeanjin which is on Turrbal country (Bracken Ridge, Brisbane); this is my home, where I am creative and feel a wonderful connection to the land and waters surrounding me. I wish to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land, the Turrbal people and their country, and pay respect to all Elders past and present and emerging.
Acknowledgment of Country
Brenda Lui acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and the privilege we have to gather on this land. Brenda acknowledges the Turrbal people and their country where she resides in Meeanjin and respects their deep connection to the lands and surrounding waterways and pays respect to all Elders past, present and emerging. Brenda cherishes the richness of First Nations Peoples’ artistic and cultural expressions.
First Nations Peoples should be aware that this website may contain images or names of people who have died.
