Perth Airport to recognise ‘traditional custodians’

Perth Airport will recognise the traditional custodians of destinations on its boarding gate display screens in a ‘small but meaningful’ step towards reconciliation.

Perth Airport has become Australia’s first major airport to recognise the traditional custodians of destinations at boarding gates. Picture: AAP

Perth Airport will become Australia’s first major airport to inform travellers of the traditional custodians of their destination in a “small but meaningful” step ­towards reconciliation.

As well as the commonly used place name, information screens at boarding gates will cite the ­traditional custodians of that town or city.

That means a flight to Adelaide will be displayed on screen as Adelaide/Kaurna Country, and a Newman service will ­appear as Newman/Nyiyaparli Country.

Airport CEO Kevin Brown said acknowledging country and the traditional custodians demonstrated respect for Aboriginal cultural practices and promoted greater appreciation.

“Reconciliation is about connections and beginning to ­acknowledge country is a way to connect with the First Nations peoples of Australia in genuine and meaningful ways,” Mr Brown said.

“Our airport is often the first and last point of connection to the vibrant and unique cultural heritage of our state’s Aboriginal people so it makes sense to recognise the traditional custodians of destinations for departing ­passengers.”

He said Perth Airport sat on the traditional lands of the Whadjuk people of the Noongar Nation and once formed part of their travelling networks.

“Today we are part of a modern travelling network, one that takes West Australians to all corners of the globe and also welcomes people from around the world to our home,” Mr Brown said.

“We also know that international travellers in particular are fascinated by Aboriginal culture and want to understand and experience it first hand.”

Western Australian Indigenous Tourism Operators Council CEO Robert Taylor said he had been advocating for such a move for seven years.

“It will be great for Aboriginal tourism. We know 80 per cent of international visitors want an Aboriginal experience and only 20 per cent can get it,” he said.

He was hopeful other airports would follow suit.

“It’s already happening in New Zealand and Canada so we hope it continues and moves to the airlines as well,” he said. “We’d like to see an acknowledgment of the traditional custodians when planes land in Australia, but that’s another ­conversation to have.”

Australian Airports Association CEO James Goodwin said the initiative showed great connection to the community being served.

Originally published as Perth Airport to recognise ‘traditional custodians’