The missing piece to Acknowledging Country = CONNECTION

Every meeting, every gathering, every conference, we hear it more and more: the Acknowledgement of Country. And while that’s a good thing, a powerful thing, we have been noticing something. A lot of people want to get it right; they genuinely want to show respect, but they’re not always sure how.

At one point, we went so far as to even survey over 70 professionals through LinkedIn to test our thinking. Can you help us get to 100? Share your thoughts/exp on Acknowledging Country in 1 minute and help us make sure we are getting it right. Survey is here

"What do I say? Who am I saying it for? How do I make sure it’s not just ticking a box?" This is what we are hearing time and time again. Despite an abundance of resources online to guide people, there is still a gap.

We at Impact have been working on a course to support that. That’s precisely why this Acknowledgement of Country course we co-facilitate matters to us. It offers the answers people are looking for not just in a theoretical or academic sense but also in a grounded, real, and deeply human way. Because it is based on relationships and connection to each other and to Country.

Because at its core, an Acknowledgement isn’t just a line on a slide or a sentence at the start of a meeting. It’s a moment. A moment to pause. A moment to honour the people, the culture, the knowledge, and the Country that always was and always will be Aboriginal land.

And for us, it’s personal.

As a Gamilaroi woman, I’ve sat in too many rooms where words have been spoken but not felt. Where acknowledgement was performed but not understood. Where space was given, but not shared. That’s why this course isn’t just about learning what to say. It’s about understanding what it means and remembering your own connection to it all as well.

Speaking From the Heart

The course helps people find their voice but, more importantly, it helps them find their intention. It’s not about memorising a script. It’s not about sounding perfect. It’s about understanding why you’re acknowledging and how to do it in a way that is genuine, informed, and from the heart.

A big part of that is remembering your connection to country and place. When you understand the meaning behind the words, the depth of history, the connection to Country, the resilience of our culture and your own intersection with Country and place, the way you speak shifts. You stop performing. You start respecting. You begin to take responsibility.

A Space to Unlearn

This course is for everyone, not just those new to the idea, but also for people who’ve been doing acknowledgements for years and want to deepen their understanding. It creates a safe space to ask questions, to reflect on unconscious habits, and to grow.

For non-Indigenous people, it’s an invitation to step into cultural humility, to listen deeply, and to walk alongside First Nations communities in a more meaningful way.

For mob, it’s something else. It’s a moment to feel seen. To hear others articulate the respect we’ve always deserved. To know that there are people out there not just willing to learn, but committed to growth.

That matters.

Intergenerational Impact

When we think about why this work is important, we always come back to our kids.

Will they learn from this? Will they be proud of us?

One day, we want to sit with them and tell them, "I stood in rooms with people who didn’t have to learn but chose to. People who opened their hearts and minds. People who wanted to do better, be better, and build a future where acknowledgement isn’t just a gesture but a value that runs deep in our organisations and communities."

And maybe one day, they’ll stand in those rooms too, so they won’t have to fight to be seen. They won’t have to explain why acknowledgement matters. They’ll simply feel it.

That’s the long game. That’s the change we’re working towards.

It Starts With One Step

This course isn’t the end of the journey. It's just the beginning. But it’s a crucial beginning.

Because once you’ve remembered how to Acknowledge Country in a way that’s thoughtful, meaningful, and rooted in country and place, something shifts. You start to notice the culture around you. You start asking better questions. You start showing up differently as a leader, a colleague, and a part of your community.

And let me tell you: that doesn’t go unnoticed.

Communities feel it. Teams feel it. Kids feel it.

We all feel it when someone moves from tokenism to truth, from performance to purpose.

So, if you’ve ever wondered if you’re doing it right or if you’re ready to move beyond the script and into real connection, this course is a powerful place to start. And not just for you. But for everyone in the room. Everyone who comes after you. Everyone who’s been waiting to be acknowledged, truly.

Because real change doesn’t start with a policy. It starts with a person.

And we couldn’t be prouder to be part of that. And if you have made it this far, we are going to share the No. 1 spoiler from our training to unlock how to move from tokenism scripts to meaningful connection.

• Everyone has a connection to Country and Place - whether you are Aboriginal or not. But how many of you can answer the following?

• What is the Aboriginal Country or Nation I was born on, grew up on as a young person and now live, work or raise my family on?

Answer this question; think deeply on remembering YOUR connection to country and place and REMEMBER that next time you deliver an acknowledgement of Country. Let us know how it shifts things for you.

To register for our online training, check it out here.

Authored by Sam Alderton-Johnson and Maddie Rose for Impact Policy