Samara reflects on Welcome to Country

24-08-10, by Simon Moyle

On Wednesday August 18th 2010, Elder Bill Nicholson, a Wurundjeri elder, welcomed Urban Seed to this country with a smoking ceremony. This was a significant moment in the history of Urban Seed, and of our Reconciliation Action Plan. Samara Pitt had these reflections to share:

“As part of the smoking ceremony and Welcome to Country on Wednesday evening, Elder Bill Nicholson told us that in many Aboriginal languages, there is no word for thankyou.  When others are visiting your country, you provide because that's the Law, that's the right thing to do. (It's not dependent on the good behaviour of your visitors, as explorers Bourke and Wills discovered when given a wallaby because they were starving.)  When you enter someone else's country, you know what the protocol is and you respect those who are there. 

If we know how we are connected, and how we need this respect and sharing in order to survive, then it is understood that this is the best way. There is no need for special recognition.  We have done what must be done.  Many times, what goes around, comes around, and all are provided for.  And we can look, and see that it is good.

I pay my respects to an Elder of the Wurundjeri who offered us the wisdom of his culture on Wednesday evening in Baptist Place.”