Traditional Custodians
Recognising Our Traditional Custodians
Tropical North Queensland is home to many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Traditional Custodians, with deep and continuing connections to Country, culture and community.
Business Events Cairns & Great Barrier Reef acknowledges that we work, live and play on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander land. We pay our respects to elders past and present.
Welcome to Country
Protocols for welcoming visitors to Country have long been part of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Traditionally, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups had defined boundaries between their Countries and visitors entering another group’s Country would seek permission to enter. When permission was granted, visitors were welcomed and offered safe passage, while respecting the protocols and responsibilities of the Country they were visiting.
These protocols have adapted to contemporary circumstances, while the essential elements of welcoming visitors and showing respect for Country remain.
Today, a Welcome to Country takes place at the beginning of a formal event and can include a speech, singing, dancing, a smoking ceremony or words in traditional language or English. It is delivered by Traditional Owners, or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have been given permission by Traditional Owners to welcome visitors to Country.
Acknowledgement of Country
An Acknowledgement of Country is a way for anyone to show respect for the Traditional Custodians of the land or waters where an event is being held and acknowledge their continuing connection to Country.
Unlike a Welcome to Country, an Acknowledgement of Country can be delivered by anyone. It is commonly included at the beginning of a meeting, speech or formal event.
General Example:
“I’d like to begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the land on which we meet today. I would also like to pay my respects to Elders past and present.”
Specific Example:
“I’d like to begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the land on which we meet today, the (people) of the (nation) and pay my respects to Elders past and present.”
Welcome to Country in Cairns & Great Barrier Reef
When planning an event in Cairns & Great Barrier Reef, consider how you can recognise the Traditional Custodians of the Country on which your event takes place. Welcome to Country services are available across the region, with different Traditional Custodian groups connected to different areas:
Yirrganydji
Cairns – Palm Cove
Yirrganydji (pronounced Irikandji) are the Traditional Custodians of the narrow coastal strip of land from Cairns North to the Mowbray River just before Port Douglas. They are known as the Saltwater people.
Welcome To Country Performance Contact:
Kuku Yalanji
Port Douglas – Mossman – Daintree
The Kuku Yalanji (also known as the Gugu-Yalanji or Kokojelandji) are Indigenous Australian people originating from the rainforest regions of Tropical North Queensland. Their traditional country extends from south of Mossman to Cooktown in the north, and Palmer River in the west.
Welcome To Country Performance Contact:
Djabugay
Barron Gorge – Kuranda
The Djabugay people (also known as the Djabunganydji) are the original inhabitants of mountains, gorges, lands and waters of a richly forested part of the Great Dividing Range, including the Barron Gorge and surrounding areas towards Mareeba, Kuranda and Port Douglas.
Welcome to Country Performance Contact:
