Did you know that it doesn’t have to be a big formal event like an awards ceremony at school or a work conference over Zoom to say an Acknowledgement of Country? It can be part of our every day, and it’s something we feel incredibly passionate about at Yoga High.
When we practise sun salutations during a Flow class, we’re expressing gratitude to the Sun.
When we say an Acknowledgement of Country at the start of class, we’re expressing gratitude to the peoples who have nourished and preserved the land around us since time immemorial – and which we now benefit from. We’re paying respect to those Traditional Custodians and recognising their ongoing connection to Country.
It’s that strong connection to Country, to community and to ancestors that empowers First Nations Peoples to survive and thrive. Each time we offer an Acknowledgement of Country, we’re chipping away at the 230 years of invasion, colonisation, exclusion and inequity that continues to discriminate against the world’s oldest surviving culture.
When we share our own Acknowledgement in class (or at work or school), we’re pitching in towards an Australia that’s inclusive of all people, not just some.
Common Ground is a First Nations-led not-for-profit that is working to shape a society that centres First Nations people by amplifying knowledge, cultures and stories. The organisation’s website is an amazing resource for learning about everything from where the word koala comes from to what Songlines and Songspirals are.
Common Ground writes that an Acknowledgement of Country “recognises the place of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the first custodians of this land and, importantly, promotes awareness of the history and culture of First Nations people. Increasing awareness will help us create a more united Australia, that centres First Nations people.”
No matter our skin colour, we all have biases and prejudices deeply embedded in our bones that we might not even know are there. Which is why it’s super important to have these conversations, so that both individually and collectively we can learn and unlearn our way towards a kinder Australia.
We have a beautifully diverse community at Yoga High and we really hope everyone feels they can bring their whole self to each class. We’re always working on ways to strengthen our sense of community and celebrate each other’s commonalities and differences in a safe and supported environment.
Here’s an Acknowledgement of Country for our studios:
Yoga High recognises that each day in Australia, we all walk, work and play on First Nations land. When we gather at our studios, we gather on incredibly beautiful Wurundjeri land and we acknowledge and pay respect to the Traditional Custodians – the Woiwurrung and Boonwurrung peoples of the Kulin Nation. We pay our deepest respects to their Elders – past, present and emerging. First Nations peoples hold more than 120,000 years of knowledge, traditions, customs and culture, and we honour their continuing connection to these lands and waters. We recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.
A few resources that we’ve found really helpful:
Balanggarra/Yolngu artist Molly Hunt wrote an article for ABC sharing Why an Acknowledgement of Country is important (and advice on how to give one).
We love this explainer by Common Ground on the different terms – First Nations, Indigenous, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander – and which ones we should use.
If you grew up outside of Melbourne or have lived in different areas of Australia, you can learn the names of the Traditional Custodians for each area by using the AIATSIS map.
You can learn more about the Wurundjeri community, ancestors and significant places here.
Are you on Instagram? @blakbusiness shares amazing quick guides to help us navigate First Nations knowledges and be a better ally.
Get in touch with Anne Marie in the studio and over email if you’d like to chat about this more. We’ll happily share some more books and resources with you if you’re interested in deepening your learning!