‘They’ve had enough’: Juru people vote to ban Welcome to Country

A Queensland community has voted to ban Welcome to Country ceremonies on their ancestral land, with voters claiming they find the ceremony embarrassing.

The Juru people of the Burdekin have voted to ban Welcome to Country ceremonies on their ancestral land because they find the ceremony embarrassing.

Locals have also raised concerns about how the tradition has been commercialised.

The decision, made by the Juru elders on Thursday night, follows fears that people without ancestral ties to the Burdekin were profiting from the ceremonies, the Courier Mail reported.

“The elders have had enough,” spokesman Randall Ross said on 4BC Mornings with Bill McDonald.

“It is being abused and they want to put a stop to it.”

Locals have raised concerns about how the tradition has been commercialised. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

‘The elders have had enough.’ Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

While the elders remain committed to protecting their land, Mr Ross explained that the Welcome to Country process had become a business that many were uncomfortable with due to money being made by those who were not connected to the land in any meaningful way.

Burdekin Mayor Pierina Dalle Cort also welcomed the decision.

“I can’t get into a political nightmare here but all I can say is I’m happy to work with the traditional owners,” she said via the Newscorp masthead.

“We had the ‘yes’ and ‘no’ vote (Voice referendum) and that vote should have been listened to at that time as well. We’re multicultural, we’re one country and we’ve all got to learn to live and work together.

“It’ll probably be an early Christmas present to a lot of people. I’ve already had some responses from people saying things like finally common sense has prevailed, basically.”

Burdekin Mayor Pierina Dalle Cort.

Indigenous leader and vocal commentator Warren Mundine also applauded the Jurus’ decision, saying Welcome to Country ceremonies had already become “a cliche” that have lost their meaning.

“The point of it is it’s meant to be a welcome but some people are abusing it by charging a gazillion dollars for it or getting up there and making a political speech, telling everyone to bugger off back to where they came from,” he said.

“They’re (Welcome to Country ceremonies) causing anger and division. You’re getting people doing these ceremonies who are not from the area or are just out to make a quick buck.”