By Jeremy Cook
Githabul traditional owners have expressed their disappointment at reports of culturally “disrespectful” welcome to country ceremonies performed by non-local indigenous people around Warwick.
Traditionally, Githabul land covers a lot of what is now the Southern Downs extending from Kings Creek to Gore in the north and west down to Wallangarra in the south and even as far east as Kyogle in New South Wales.
A landmark native title claim was successfully filed by the Githabul people in 2021 and covers land in the Warwick, Allora and Killarney area.
Waringhehn Aboriginal Corporation chairperson and Githabul woman Melissa Chalmers had hoped official recognition of her traditional land under Australian law would bring greater understanding, particularly among the indigenous community, of what native title means for traditional owners.
Ms Chalmers said it has, but denounced continued welcome to country performances from non-local indigenous people on Githabul land.
“[It’s] not just disrespectful to me or my generation, it’s disrespecting my ancestors,” Ms Chalmers said.
“To me as a Githabul person it’s important that the right people speak to country,” she said.
“We are the right people for this country.”
A welcome to country is a welcoming ceremony typically delivered by a local Aboriginal person and is different to an acknowledgement of country, the latter of which is commonly conducted at meetings or events by both indigenous and non-indigenous people.
Ms Chalmers said a welcome to country had important cultural significance for indigenous people.
“It’s welcoming people on to our country so that they are spiritually protected and [can] have safe passage on our country,” she said.
“It dates back generations, we’re talking tens of thousands of years.
“This is basically a continuation of practicing culture.”
Githabul man Nathan Charles considered it a “privilege” to be welcomed to country.
“Welcome to Country in the area should only be given by a Githabul person who is recognised to have authority to speak for country and who is recognised as a traditional owner or custodian on country where the event is taking place,” he said.
Mr Charles said it was all about respect.
“It stems from traditional practices allowing anyone from outside the traditional people to come in to country and conduct business there in a respectful and peaceful manner,” he said.
“Our concern is spiritually if you don’t go to the traditional people to do a welcome it would have negative consequences.
“An acknowledgement to country is to us considered not as strong or respectful as usually they do not even mention the rightful traditional people of the area.
“It is all about respect of country and the people who belong to it.”
All first nations groups around Australia have their own unique customs and practices and for the Githabul people, Ms Chalmers said that included using clap sticks as opposed to the didgeridoo.
“Our people didn’t play the didgeridoo,” she said.
Ms Chalmers said permission had to be sought from a Githabul person, preferably an elder or the Waringhehn Aboriginal Corporation, to practise non-local cultural activities.
“We speak for this area, we need to be approached.”
The Githabul people are one of many different first nations groups in Australia who each have their own distinct culture, language, beliefs and practices.
It is understood said Waringhehn Aboriginal Corporation were progressing further claims for native title on Githabul land external to the current claim.
