Consider just how much non-profits, government bodies and corporates pay for these ceremonies
The majority of people are sick of being welcomed to their own land. We should acknowledge that we are all Australians and equally entitled to consider this country ours.
Rita Panahi
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Remember during the race-based Voice referendum when one of the leading ‘yes’ advocates inadvertently made a powerful argument for voting ‘no’.
Indigenous academic Marcia Langton warned Australians that they wouldn’t hear too many more Welcome to Country announcements from ‘traditional owners’ if the ‘no’ vote prevailed.
“How are they going to ever ask an Indigenous person, a traditional owner, for a Welcome to Country? How are they ever going to be able to ask me to come and speak at their conference?
If they have the temerity to do it, of course the answer is going to be no.”
Offer made, offer accepted.
But despite the resounding ‘no’ vote, the incessant Welcome to Country and acknowledgement of country announcements continue.
No matter how sick the majority of Australians are of being welcomed to their own land.
No matter how many of us have spoken out against this divisive, incoherent practice that does nothing for reconciliation.
Along with the indignity of suggesting Australian citizens are interlopers in their own country, this divisive practice can also be a costly exercise, something the Yamba Surf Club in NSW found out recently when presented with a bill for $2000 for four welcome to country ceremonies.
The bill was withdrawn after media attention and will now be sent to the local council or state government.
The painfully woke AFL may be happy to spend big on Welcome to Country ceremonies but a small surf club that needs annual fundraisers to cover the basics can ill afford to pay hundreds of dollars for each ceremony.
Yamba Surf Club was billed by the Yaegl Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation who have been granted native title over 90km of coastline extending 200m out to sea.
They had asked permission to use the beach for surf carnivals including nippers events and an annual fundraising ocean swim.
Put to one side the absurdity of a surf club that exists to save lives and help the community asking an Aboriginal corporation for permission to use the beach and consider just how much other non-profits, government bodies and corporates pay for these ceremonies.
It’s time to end the grift and acknowledge that we are all Australians and equally entitled to consider this country ours.
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