Recently, I had the opportunity to visit Narrandera TAFE Children’s Centre to support their team in developing their Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). One of the mandatory actions in this process is embedding an Acknowledgement of Country, which includes:
-
Saying an Acknowledgement regularly with children
-
Displaying an Acknowledgement within the service
-
Including an Acknowledgement in team meetings
While the centre already has strong connections with the local Aboriginal community, they had not yet introduced a regular Acknowledgement of Country with children. Their hesitation? They wanted to ensure it was not a token gesture, but rather something meaningful and connected to their community.
Creating a Meaningful Acknowledgement
Rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach, the centre is taking a consultative process—engaging with the local Aboriginal community to understand what they would like to see. This ensures that their Acknowledgement of Country is genuine, relevant, and reflective of the community’s wishes.
In the meantime, educators are focusing on embedding the values of an Acknowledgement into their pedagogy and practice by:
-
Encouraging children to be custodians of the land, fostering a deep respect for Country.
-
Strengthening direct relationships with Elders and Traditional Owners to ensure First Nations perspectives are woven into everyday learning.
-
Supporting children to engage in respectful, reciprocal learning experiences that connect them to the land, people, and stories of the area.
What Has the Journey of Acknowledgement of Country Been Like at Your Service?
Every early learning setting is at a different stage of this journey. How has your service approached Acknowledgement of Country?
-
Do you say one daily with children?
-
Have you consulted your local community?
-
How do you embed the principles of Acknowledgement beyond words?
An Acknowledgement of Country is not just something we say—it’s something we live. It’s about fostering a genuine connection to Country, community, and culture, ensuring that children grow up with a deep respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, lands, and histories.
Would love to hear about your service’s journey!
Check out the Koori Curriculum's Acknowledgement of Country and Welcome to Country free guide
