Welcome to Country by Boon Wurrung Traditional Owners

The First day of the Gathering is deeply rooted in the acknowledgment of the unceded lands we gather on and awareness of respecting the connection to place, people and living Culture that is the Lore and compass of the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung People and the Boon Wurrung People of the Kulin Nations. APAM values these Lores and Customs and is committed to doing everything in its power to ensure that all participants in the APAM Gathering at RISING feel a genuine sense of cultural, emotional and physical safety during the event.

As in many places in Australia and other lands subject to colonial rule, in so-called Melbourne there is complex, ongoing negotiation around land ownership, and we recognise this as continuing impact of the trauma of colonisation on First Peoples.

First Nations and non-First Nations visitors will have the opportunity respectfully to meet and be welcomed by both Traditional Owner groups. The first Ceremony Protocols in the morning will be a Welcome to Country by N’Arweet Dr Carolyn Briggs, Elder of the Boon Wurrung People, followed by light refreshments.

Date: Wednesday 14 June
Time: 10:30-12:00 AEST