Aboriginal Elders Decide to Stop Performing ‘Welcome to Country’ Ceremonies, Citing Commercialization
Juru elder Randall Ross expresses his concern that the Welcome to Country ceremony is being exploited for financial gain.
The traditional Indigenous practice of the “Welcome to Country,” commonly seen at formal gatherings in Australia, is once again a topic of controversy.
The Juru people in Queensland have decided to discontinue performing the Welcome to Country ceremony on their ancestral lands, a ritual typically done by Aboriginals to welcome visitors.
Speaking from a cultural perspective, Juru Indigenous elder Randall Ross emphasized the social responsibility of ensuring safety on one’s land.
Ross highlighted, “Today, the Welcome to Country has turned into a commercial enterprise that benefits a few individuals, losing sight of its cultural significance.”
The motion to cease the ceremony was approved on December 5th.
Originally conceptualized by an Indigenous dance group in the 1970s, the Welcome to Country has now become a customary feature at official events.
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Ross noted that many ceremonies are carried out by individuals who lack the proper connections or authority.
Regarding this issue, he remarked, “Numerous elders have observed non-local people conducting Welcome to Country ceremonies in the Burdekin region, where these individuals are not culturally linked to the area.”
He added, “These practitioners receive payment for their services, and despite efforts to rectify the situation, traditional owners face challenges from government bodies claiming these individuals are approved to perform such ceremonies.”
Frequent Occurrence at Official Functions
Government bodies have shown substantial support for these brief ceremonies.
It was disclosed recently that the Brisbane City Council allocated $135,000 from taxpayers for Welcome to Country ceremonies over a two-year period.
Similarly, various federal departments spent approximately $45,000 last year alone.
However, an incident occurred during an AFL semi-final in Sydney involving Aboriginal elder Brendan Kerin, who stated that these ceremonies were not meant to cater to non-Indigenous individuals.
Kerin shared, “This is a tradition we have upheld for over 250,000 years before the arrival of Captain Cook,” alluding to the explorer’s arrival in Australia and New Zealand on behalf of the British Empire.
Exploited for Financial Gain: Ross
While discussing the misuse of the ceremony, Ross expressed the disappointment felt by many Indigenous people who see the practice being abused for personal gain rather than its true purpose.
He emphasized that this responsibility was handed down by their ancestors to safeguard those traversing their lands, not for monetary profiteering.
Ross voiced his concerns, stating, “The blatant exploitation of our traditions is shameful; our elders are fed up.”
He also highlighted the spiritual aspect associated with the ritual, drawing parallels to the concept of karma.
Leaders within the Burdekin Indigenous community have indicated their acceptance of alternative Acknowledgement of Country gestures, provided they are not used for financial gain.
