Traditional Owner Acknowledgement Guidelines

Purpose

These guidelines provide direction about how council will implement its Traditional Owner Acknowledgement Policy 2026 and is not intended to represent formal recognition under state law.

The guidelines support Northern Grampians Shire Council representatives including councillors, employees, contractors and volunteers, to understand and deliver appropriate and respectful acknowledgement of the Traditional Owners connected to the lands we call Northern Grampians. It applies to all areas across the municipality, which encompasses the lands of the people of the Wotjobaluk Nations (Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia and Jupagulk); the Dja Dja Wurrung (DJAARA) people, and the Djab Wurrung people.

The guidelines provide direction on spoken and written Acknowledgements, Welcome to Country, Smoking Ceremonies, cultural services, signage and plaques and flag flying. It is intended to ensure council representatives can meaningfully and consistently embed acknowledgement and recognition practices across all council functions, services, and places.

For the purpose of these guidelines, the term “First Nations” refers to both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Implementation

These guidelines have been created as part of council's commitment to reconciliation and to aid in standardising how council will acknowledge local Traditional Owners across our engagements. 

Although designed for internal council use, community groups and local organisations may wish to refer to the guidelines to inform their own acknowledgement protocols. We would also encourage you connect directly with the relevant Traditional Owner Group based on your location as outlined in the guidelines. 

Council extends its thanks to representatives from Barengi Gadjin Land Council and Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation (DJAARA) for being involved in this process and assisting council with the development of these guidelines and overarching policy. 

View the guidelines

You can view the guidelines by clicking on the flipbook provided below. Alternatively, you can also download a copy of the guidelines by clicking here(PDF, 1MB).