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The Central Land Council says ‘welcome to country’ ceremonies are a good way to remind the public that there were Aboriginal people, a culture and a way of life in this place before European colonisation.
CLC director David Ross said opposing such ceremonies only encourages racist elements in the community.
“It doesn’t hurt to remind people of what and who was here before them,” Mr Ross said. “Mr Abbott and his party members shouldn’t feel threatened by that.
“You can ignore the existence and ownership of this land by Aboriginal people before European settlement but that won’t make it any less true.
“If other nations like Germany can acknowledge the good and the bad of their past then why can’t Australia? If Australia is so strong and proud, why wouldn’t its people want to acknowledge that on the land they now stand there were people who once owned it and were dispossessed of it?
“Aboriginal people have been acknowledged as the owners of the country in the Mabo decision. Remember, it’s your High Court.
“If people think that sometimes these ceremonies can be reduced to tokenism then all involved should remember that acknowledgement plays a huge part in healing,” Mr Ross said.
“Australia has a black history and it needs to be acknowledged.”
