Why do I personally feel that Acknowledgement of Country is important?

When I was in school, we learned about ancient Egypt – Mummies, Pharaohs, sphinxes, and how we think the pyramids were built, about 4,500 years ago. That’s because our teachers thought that history was important.

However, we learnt very little about the Indigenous culture and history of Australia.

Here in Australia, we have the oldest living culture in the world. The Indigenous people of Australia have been here for 65,000 years; that’s 60,000 years longer than the pyramids, yet we have historically learnt very little about them.

To me, an Acknowledgement of Country is simply that: an acknowledgment, as defined, “recognition of the importance of something” or “acceptance of the truth or existence of something”.

Acknowledging that the Indigenous people of Australia have been taking care of this land for 65,000 years, that they have a deep and long connection to it, that their history, art and contributions to society are important, and that they are welcome.

Acknowledging this long history—and the fact that it was hidden from us for so long- is a necessary step forward. After all...

"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." - George Santayana

-Nathan