Welcome to Country

American  

noun

plural

Welcome to Countries, Welcomes to Country

1. a land acknowledgment ceremony performed in Australia before many public events, in which a greeting is offered by a representative of an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander group indigenous to the area where the event is taking place.

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Example Sentences

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese immediately called the disruption a disgraceful act of "cowardice", while Dutton said people should "respect" welcome to country ceremonies.

From BBC

Albanese said it was up to individual organisations to decide whether to open events with a welcome to country, but said the ceremonies were a "matter of respect".

From BBC

In New Zealand a traditional karanga call was performed ahead of each match, while in Australia the pre-game ceremonies included a welcome to country by Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander elders.

From Seattle Times

“I can’t even remember the number of conversations that I’ve had until today with people who have come from overseas, who have commented about how special it is to have a `Welcome to Country’ in First Nations and in Maori when the teams are coming onto the field,” Bareman said.

From Seattle Times

The ceremony was opened by a First Nations Elder, Aunty Violent Sheridan, who made a traditional Welcome to Country, and remembered Queen Elizabeth as a mother and grandmother.

From Reuters