To acknowledge, not welcome, because this land is not mine. To refer to ownership is innately colonial – a colonial assumption. To consume, generate, produce, dominate. We eat at the landscape of politics and forget our humanity, humility, and history. I acknowledge that I am born on land that is not mine, to think of home and learn of a history of pain. To be Australian and unproud, not born with shame, but rather, to grow into this truth, to learn of our colonial histories. This education is a privilege – to be glad of opportunity and saddened by our reality. To be Australian and proud is to be Australian and ignorant, or to be Australian and witness to a history so tragic we refuse to acknowledge, teach, or learn. 


Acknowledgement to Country – dear Country, dear open water, clear skies, wise trees, and rich soils. I know you did not wish for this, and I apologise. I recognize my responsibility to listen, learn, and advocate. Dear Country, I am sorry sovereignty has never been ceded. 


I wonder, Country, if you know I planted a native tree decorated with beads. Her branches young and holding on. I wonder about this young tree, subject to you. I wonder if you know this tree is for you. Do days feel like years for you too? I wonder if it’s warm where you are; can you feel the sun? I wonder, do you know you have roots? Can you feel them stretching? Do you count your leaves, like I do?