Acknowledgement of Country, Birrarung River, Courtesy of Hannah Crispin
You’ve heard it at the beginning of every lecture recording, you’ve seen it on partially unstuck laminated flyers dangling at the entrance to classrooms and, if you’re paying attention, you’ve felt the deep-seated sense of inadequacy and insincerity it can conjure.
The Acknowledgement of Country, in its current state at Melbourne Law School (‘MLS’), is often unequipped and unable to accomplish what it’s supposed to. When spoken with insincerity, it is a scripted, formalistic mechanism that appeals only to those seeking to tick the box of performative recognition. As one Indigenous student at MLS comments, “I don’t know who it’s for – because it’s definitely not for us.”
The Acknowledgement Project – an initiative spearheaded by the MLS Human Rights Community in collaboration with the Indigenous Law and Justice Hub – aims to re-envision the current Acknowledgement of Country with sincerity and care. It entails staff and students using a photo of country that is significant to them, and letting the image inspire and guide a personal, genuine Acknowledgement. It asks non-Indigenous staff and students to meaningfully reflect on the importance of the Acknowledgement and their own connection to land, with sincerity and respect to its Indigenous custodians, rather than adopting a formulaic response.
Acknowledgement of Country, Kulin Nation, photo taken by John Tobin
What’s wrong with the current Acknowledgement of Country?
John Tobin, Professor of Human Rights Law at MLS, observes that the oft-used Acknowledgement of Country has “no heart, no soul, no feeling, no connection,” and shows a lack of understanding of the significance that a true Acknowledgement of Country has for Indigenous people.
Historically, one Indigenous student explains, Acknowledgements of Country were made when one Indigenous group would enter onto another’s land. It was, and is, an integral and necessary act of respect and demonstrated that those who entered would adhere to the rules of the Country they were on. It is a traditional protocol of the oldest living culture in the world. However, the way in which we now conduct Acknowledgements can lack the genuineness and respect that they are owed – it becomes a superficial demonstration when, in history and reality, it is anything but.
Some of the Indigenous students at MLS were asked what they feel upon hearing a shallow or insincere Acknowledgement, and their responses further demonstrate the need for change. A sense of being unwelcome, unsafe, disappointed, worthless and as though they need to hide their authentic selves are cited. “It makes me feel like we don’t matter enough…to put in a little bit of effort..” And so, setting aside the larger-scaled considerations for change, we must ask: why would we not do all we could to avoid invoking such responses in our peers?
Should we just give up on Acknowledgements of Country at MLS?
For some, the level of superficiality invoked by improper Acknowledgements has caused their perspective to shift in the direction of getting rid of Acknowledgements all together. And while the consensus from Indigenous students is generally that it is worse to have an insincere Acknowledgement than none at all, this outlook greatly diminishes the importance and significance that Acknowledgements of Country hold for Indigenous Australians. “The tradition is not tokenistic. The tradition is massive, and beautiful and is such a reflection of the values of Indigenous culture. What’s tokenistic is the way that you’ve interpreted it…you made it tokenistic” reflects one Indigenous student.
And as Professor Tobin points out, if you have gone so far as to think the Acknowledgement unnecessary and ineffective in its current form, it is actually your (and our) responsibility, duty and obligation to make it better.
“The tradition is not tokenistic. The tradition is massive, and beautiful and is such a reflection of the values of Indigenous culture. What’s tokenistic is the way that you’ve interpreted it…you made it tokenistic”
When asked what impact a sincere and genuine Acknowledgement of Country can have, Indigenous students describe themselves as feeling safe, seen, appreciated, respected and welcome and able to be their full selves. “You really can’t overstate the significance of it, especially in a setting like this.”
Indeed when discussing what a true Acknowledgement requires and the necessity of providing them, what is prioritized in place of scripted lines is, overwhelmingly, sincerity – extra time, effort and thought to reflect and learn about the Country we’re on. “It is a symbol of respect. It’s a symbol of relationships – people forget that. It’s not about division, it’s about bringing two groups together who are, at that moment, in the same place.”
The Acknowledgement Project and beyond
The Acknowledgment Project is only a first step – it is in no way a panacea or the answer to achieving true justice or reconciliation at MLS. But it is a step in the right direction rather than staying still. And, considering everything, it is not a difficult step for the MLS staff and students to take.
Foundational to the Project is the fact that connection to Country is not a mythical, metaphysical conception. It is a grounded reality that you likely have felt glimpses of before, even if you didn’t have the vocabulary for it. Western countries have quantified the effects of being in nature in thousands of studies – spending time in green spaces improves cognitive functions and can even make you behave more generously,[1] being near the ocean greatly reduces stress and improves restorative functions[2] etc. Indeed, people who feel more connected to nature are more likely to have ‘eudaimonic well-being’ – a kind of well-being that goes beyond happiness and includes feeling a meaningful purpose in life.[3]
But while we are only just discovering these things through our rigid, scientific lenses, Indigenous people have known the wisdom of the land for centuries. They have protected and taken care of it and are an intrinsic and paramount part of it.
The Acknowledgement Project would have you reflect on this. It aims to have you appreciate the beauty, respect the wisdom and acknowledge the history of the Country around you: the Country you turn to in hardship when you’re overwhelmed, when you’re exploring and adventuring with those you love, when you seek a moment of peace. Take time to reflect, learn and understand. And when you have, then perhaps, with an acknowledgement of true gratitude and respect towards the Indigenous land you stand upon, and the Indigenous people who have always done so, you’ll have taken that first step.
[1] Howell, A. J., & Passmore, H. 2013 ‘The nature of happiness: Nature affiliation and mental well-being’ In C. L. M. Keyes (Ed.), Mental well-being: International contributions to the study of positive mental health (pp. 231–257)
[2] White, M, P et al 2020, ‘Blue space, health and well-being: A narrative overview and synthesis of potential benefits,’ Environmental Research 191 <https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2020.110169>
[3] Pritchard, A., Richardson, M., Sheffield, D. et al 2020, ‘The Relationship Between Nature Connectedness and Eudaimonic Well-Being: A Meta-analysis,’ Journal of Happiness Studies, 21 1145-1167 <https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-019-00118-6>
Purely Dicta 