Aboriginal Community

Aboriginal Community

Lithgow City Council acknowledges Wiradjuri Elders past and present of the Wiradjuri nation – the original custodians of the land on which the Lithgow’s communities reside. The Council also extends our respects to our neighboring nations.

How to acknowledge the traditional custodians in our community

There are two ways in which you can acknowledge the Aboriginal traditional custodians of the Lithgow City Council Area:

• Welcome to Country

  A “Welcome to Country” or “Traditional Welcome” is where the traditional Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander custodians welcome people to their land at the beginning of a meeting, event or ceremony. This welcome must be conducted by an appropriate person such as a recognised Elder from the local area. Welcome to Country enables the Traditional Custodians to give their blessing to the event and is an important mark of respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as Australia’s original inhabitants.

• Acknowledgement of Country

  “Acknowledgement of Country” is where other people acknowledge and show respect for the Traditional Custodians of the land on which the event is taking place. This acknowledgement is a sign of respect and should be conducted at the beginning of a meeting, event or ceremony. Acknowledging Country may also take place when traditional Elders are not available to provide an official Welcome to Country. It is important to note in the acknowledgement that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continue to live in the Lithgow area to which they have continuing spiritual and cultural ties. The following is considered appropriate wording for an Acknowledgement of Country. Please refer to Lithgow Community Cultural Protocols.