2 City Councils Vote to Scrap Indigenous Ceremonies During Meetings

Councillors of Northern Areas Council say the reason for the move is because Australia is ‘one country.’

An Indigenous woman performs during a welcome to country ceremony during the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 soccer match between China and Haiti at Hindmarsh Stadium in Adelaide, Australia, on July 28, 2023. AAP Image/Matt Turner

Two South Australian councils have axed the Indigenous “Acknowledgement of Country” ceremonial procedure—performed at all official meetings or on correspondence—with members saying their reason for doing so was because Australia was “one country.”

On Nov. 21, the Northern Areas Council in regional South Australia passed a motion (pdf) without notice to “delete the Acknowledgement of Country and banner on correspondence.”