NT Leader Skips Indigenous ‘Acknowledgement of Country’, Says Public Not Interested in ‘Tokenistic’ Rituals

Indigenous performers perform the Welcome to Country during a smoke ceremony prior to the state funeral service for Uncle Jack Charles at Hamer Hall in Melbourne, Australia on Oct. 18, 2022. Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

When Northern Territory Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro attended a commemoration of the Bombing of Darwin, she was the only speaking dignitary of eight who did not perform the Aboriginal Acknowledgement of Country.

The Acknowledgement is a verbal recognition of historical land ownership by Aboriginal groups, it has become commonplace and is spoken before speeches by politicians, or the heads of businesses, community groups, and universities.

Finocchiaro’s decision not to recite the phrase has raised eyebrows, saying she felt the Welcome to Country ceremony—another Aboriginal custom—performed by Indigenous man James Parfitt during the Darwin event was sufficient.

“I just don’t think every speaker needs to do it,” she told ABC Radio on Feb. 25.

“The feedback I get from the community on Acknowledgements of Country is that Territorians—and this is literally their words—they feel like it’s been rammed down their throat under Labor.

“I think it’s very fair to have a Welcome to Country and they absolutely have their place, but we’ve just been indoctrinated by a Labor government over eight years who have shamed people into feeling like that have to do something that lacks a genuine nature and is tokenistic.”

NT Country Liberal Party Leader Lia Finocchiaro poses for a photo during the Northern Territory elections in Darwin, Australia, on Aug. 24, 2024. (AAP Image/(A)manda Parkinson)

Chief Minister’s Decision Criticised

Finocchiaro’s stance has caused a stir in the NT, with some heavily criticising her decision.

Labor’s Indigenous member for Gwoja, Chansey Paech, whose electorate spans the western half of the NT, said the Acknowledgement of Country is a “vital statement of respect” for Aboriginal people.

“It’s deeply concerning that the chief minister, the very person who claimed to want to unite, not divide, believes there could be such a thing as over-acknowledging First Nations’ people, whose land was stolen and whose communities were dispossessed,” he wrote in a post online.

Senior Larrakia elder Richard Fejo Snr also expressed dissatisfaction.

“My Larrakia grandfathers Juma Fejo fought alongside many Aboriginal, non-Aboriginal and allies and saved many lives when they fought as one for the ground you walk on today at the Bombing of Darwin with his brother Samuel ‘Smiler’ Fejo at Darwin wharf on 19th Feb. 1942 and this is who you refuse to acknowledge at the Bombing of Darwin event, shame on you!” he wrote.

According to Reconciliation Australia, the Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country was used by Indigenous peoples to seek permission to enter each other’s territories, and when permission was granted, the hosting group would welcome their visitors.

“Acknowledgement of country can be adapted and expanded to reflect different contexts,” Reconciliation Australia says.

A Dark Day for Darwin

The Bombing of Darwin commemoration is an annual event held to mark Feb. 19, 1942, when Japanese war planes lobbed 680 bombs weighing more than 114,000 kilograms on Darwin Harbour in what was the largest air raid against Australia during the First World War.

The attack claimed 230 lives, injured more than 400 people, and caused damage to ships, buildings, and infrastructure.

Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis spoke at last week’s event, saying it was a pivotal moment for Australia.

“The Bombing of Darwin was the largest attack ever carried out by a foreign power on Australian soil, with devastating consequences for both servicemen and civilians,” he said.

“Today, the Bombing of Darwin is recognised as a national day of observance, honouring those who endured this pivotal moment in Australia’s history.”