Class Acknowledgement of Country

Learning intention

Building on knowledge and expectations of respect from Activities 2 and 3, this activity provides one way we can commit to these expectations is through an Acknowledgement of Country, or Welcome to Country if any members of the class have permission.

Assumed knowledge

This activity assumes you are familiar with what an Acknowledgement of Country or Welcome to Country is. For example:

• Have you regularly heard a Welcome to Country or Acknowledgement of Country being delivered at the beginning of gatherings in your community?

• Have the Acknowledgements of Country you've heard changed with the context and speaker to make the Acknowledgement relevant to the gathering?

• Are you able to explain the difference between a Welcome to Country and an Acknowledgement of Country?

If you answered 'no' to any of these questions, that's okay, but you might need to learn more about Acknowledgement of and Welcome to Country so you can answer 'yes'. You might also like to ask your teacher for guidance on reliable or appropriate local sources of information relevant to your community.

Instructions

• As a class, in groups or as individuals, write and deliver your own Acknowledgement of Country. If you are from the land you are learning on and have permission you might deliver a Welcome to Country. You could refer to the guidelines and protocols for NSW public schools, if you are unsure.

• Once you have learned about and practised Acknowledgement of Country with respect, you could:

  • • start each lesson or week with different individuals or groups leading an Acknowledgement of Country for the class, reinforcing class expectations from Activities 2 and 3 

    • adapt the Acknowledgement of Country so that it is a relevant reminder of why you are gathered to learn each week, and to make sure you are thinking about how to be respectful with the learning taking place in drama for that week

    • encourage each other to continue Acknowledgement of Country beyond your studies of Stolen to all drama lessons

    • showcase the work and talent of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Artists relevant to your studies in drama

    • find other opportunities for Acknowledgement of Country beyond the drama classroom in your school community.

• In your Acknowledgement of Country, you may wish to reflect on how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are from different nations and lands across Australia, and how all of these Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples were impacted differently by the events represented in the play.