‘Welcome to Country’ Ceremony for Newborn Receives Criticism

The image on social media features a newborn draped in possum fur with a branch of gum tree leaves placed nearby.

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

An Indigenous “Welcome to Country” ceremony for a newborn child has drawn criticism from former and current MPs following the posting to social media of an image of the ceremony to the Goulburn Base Hospital—Maternity’s Facebook page.

The image features a newborn draped in possum fur with a branch of gum tree leaves placed nearby. A toy magpie is also placed beside the baby.