I refuse to do acknowledgement of country - career killer?

dimes on 11/09/2025 - 23:25

This may be a bit controversial but here goes…

I watch people at a managerial level start meetings and presentations with an acknowledgment of country and I think it is the dumbest thing ever. I feel like if we really want to help Indigenous people then there are other more tangible things we can do, and this virtue signalling bs is more for us to make us feel better than it is for them.

Apart from acknowledgements of country, my work also does other things to "bridge the gap" which I feel are also pointless. I refuse to participate in these activities and I also refuse to do acknowledgements of country.

My question is, if I continue to refuse, would this be a career killer? Am I limiting my promotional opportunities because I don't want to conform in this respect? I just feel like we should all have equal opportunity to progress regardless of our political views, but is this reality?

Education & Work

Comments

  • Clear on 11/09/2025 - 23:33
    +24

    Are you quietly not doing them or explicitly refusing to do them? There is a difference.

    • dimes on 11/09/2025 - 23:37
      +8

      I have not had to host any meetings or presentations yet, but in terms of other activities, when invited to join, I have refused (without giving reasons)

      • Clear on 11/09/2025 - 23:39
        +1

        Your colleagues are asking you to say acknowledgements?

        • dimes on 11/09/2025 - 23:42
          +2

          Not acknowledgements, but other activities such as naming office rooms with Indigenous names or making Aboriginal artwork

          • Clear on 11/09/2025 - 23:46
            +33

            @dimes: Because there's a big difference between being asked to do acknowledgements rather than simply sitting quietly. Similarly sitting at a dinner table silently while people say grace versus being asked to say grace.

            • bargaino on 12/09/2025 - 10:10
              +10

              @Clear:

              say grace versus being asked to say grace.

              Perfect analogy. With my Catholic school history, "acknowledgement of country" feels exactly like school prayer, and I have a urge to say Amen when they finish.

              • Muppet Detector on 12/09/2025 - 13:26
                +1

                @bargaino:

                and I have a urge to say Amen when they finish.

                I get what you mean.

                We were taught that Amen means "I believe".

              • The Wololo Wombat on 12/09/2025 - 16:06
                +2

                @bargaino: It’s similar because it’s a call acknowledge to a higher virtue or power, just like prayer.

                Psychologically, it’s replaced prayer.

          • EightImmortals on 12/09/2025 - 06:57
            +16

            @dimes: Not sure why you are getting negged (well, OK, I could take a guess :) ) but you are doing the right thing. Just do it quietly or the mob will burn you as a heretic. This particular bit of social engineering has gone too far and IMO is not that far removed from the struggle sessions that the CCP used to force their citizens to engage in. Stick to your principles and if anyone of the virtue-signalling twits at work starts making threats about your employment, document everything and is possible get it in writing. Genuflecting to mob mentality never achieves anything, just makes things worse and like of this nonsense will never change the past. People who can't be satisfied never will be.

            • SlickMick on 12/09/2025 - 18:04

              @AngoraFish: I'm pretty sure op refused (I think avoided is more what they mean) to attend "naming ceremonies", not chisel the name on the door or something.

              Likewise I'm quite sure Op hasn't been expected to make Aboriginal art.

          • JIMB0 on 12/09/2025 - 07:54
            +8

            @dimes: The "Crackatinnie" room has a nice ring to it.

          • WorstAgreeableRadish on 12/09/2025 - 09:12
            +3

            @dimes: With those two examples it sounds like you're being unnecessarily difficult. Boardroom names and art activities usually have a theme, and Aboriginal can be a theme like any other. Both are things that have actual practical value.

            Think about themes that you have such strong negative sentiments about that you refuse to draw a picture of it, or put a name of that theme on a boardroom? There are some that would annoy me (Billie Eilish albums or contemporary rap legends), but to flat out refuse to take part? That's a list of things I find particularly offensive.

            • brendanm on 12/09/2025 - 09:36
              +11

              @WorstAgreeableRadish:

              Both are things that have actual practical value.

              Press (x) for doubt

            • SlickMick on 12/09/2025 - 18:09
              +1

              @WorstAgreeableRadish: I don't see why.

              I avoid everything I don't agree with. Our office has so many morning teas, lunches, meetings and workshops on all sorts of things. I avoid most of them. I couldn't care less what they do or name things or whatever, although I do point out that a meaningful name that identifies a room would be far more useful.

          • smartazz104 on 12/09/2025 - 14:30
            +3

            @dimes: How often are you having to name office rooms? Seems a bit weird to get bent out of shape over something so inconsequential.

          • dankru on 12/09/2025 - 15:07

            @dimes: Okay you’re racist. We get it.

            • McFly on 12/09/2025 - 16:39
              +4

              @dankru: Of course. Racist, Nazi, climate denier, Charlie Kirk lover… Get them all in!

            • brendanm on 12/09/2025 - 19:05
              +1

              @dankru: Not naming something after a certain race, at the exclusion of all other races, is racist? That's some impressive mental gymnastics.

  • ValueInvesting on 11/09/2025 - 23:49
    +13

    My question is, if I continue to refuse, would this be a career killer? Am I limiting my promotional opportunities because I don't want to conform in this respect?

    Based on what's in your post it would be a career limiting move. You're inviting scrutiny if you 'refuse to participate' (whatever that means) without giving reasons.

    I think it is the dumbest thing ever. I feel like if we really want to help Indigenous people then there are other more tangible things we can do

    So what tangible thing/s do you do personally or at work then? Perhaps you can refer to these things if people ask why you aren't participating

    • dankru on 12/09/2025 - 15:08
      +10

      We all know the answer to this question.

    • supersabroso on 12/09/2025 - 15:32
      -2

      Agreed, it's the flavour of the year and you have to conform with what your company wants if you want to progress. Luckily I've never been asked, I just use the company templates that aren't plastered with Aboriginal art everywhere. Australia voted no for a reason, we aren't racist and don't want to bow down to a superior race due to the colour of their skin, we believe that all Australians should be treated equally (not to mention the fact that Aboriginals already get many benefits that other races do not).

  • Benoffie on 11/09/2025 - 23:54
    +11

    Maybe. But you can refer work to the recent FWA precedents making it difficult for them to do so. Many workplaces are adopting an opt out/come late approach when people complain. I know of a few different non government corps whove done this.

    Unfortunately in government, it's virtually unavoidable. And yes, as you say, does little to nothing in terms of real impacts. It's policy box ticking. Frustrating and disappointing on so many levels.

    Edit - OP, if you're a teacher or in education, my advice is tune out, fake it etc. In teaching, the ideology is so extreme atm that yes, to voice opposition, even in a supposedly 'safe space' like a staff room, will get you labelled.

    For those not in education and think Im kidding, I only wish I could photograph the posters and content I see in classrooms atm.

    • Far Cough on 12/09/2025 - 00:05
      +2

      I know the posters and all the activities you have, we have the posters in every meeting room.

      If I’m in the office and in a meeting room, it’s customary to ensure people can see the wall AKA no blur or background on teams/zoom.

      I’ve gone walkabout during work hours that many times to see new artwork or enjoy nature.

    • brendanm on 12/09/2025 - 11:55
      +1

      What a time to be alive.

    • humphrey623 on 12/09/2025 - 19:31

      'In teaching, the ideology is so extreme atm'. Please unpack which prominent ideologies in education you find to be 'so extreme'.

      • Benoffie on 12/09/2025 - 20:38
        +1

        Critical Race Theory, Gender Politics, biased positions on world events, Marxist theory (outside of relevant subjects or lessons).

        For example, was observing one class of Yr 9 English where they were asked to write on the above in relation to a text (highlighting both the inappropriate choice of text and the misalignment with the curriculum). Fundamentally, the majority of Yr 9s cannot (and are not) required to articulate such understanding. That's Year 12 or University.

        Another recently where teachers openly expressed political opinions (again, not allowed) and then attempted to 'educate' students who did not hold the same beliefs.

        Common to see political, left leaning ideology used as examples in teacher work. Recently sent back a unit for review as the examples of even basic things like sentences are anti-Trump or Pro-Palestine (again, Code of Ethics).

        People can have whatever views they like. But in the public system, there's no place for it. We are apolitical and constant devil's advocates.

        The respective departments should equally be upholding the Code and not having every inch of my workplace (literal) covered in posters, introducing unisex toilets without consultation or any other policy that takes away from core business. And it does take away.

        We have a highly diverse, multicultural, high female population workforce (pretty common in schools) and yet the focus, expenditure and efforts and completely misaligned with driving staff cohesion and reducing stress

        • Goremans on 12/09/2025 - 20:54

          Meanwhile year 9 students write at a grade 4 level. Ive seen this first hand. Maybe a laptop in every students hands and "they're all going to be coders" was not a good strategy…

  • Far Cough on 11/09/2025 - 23:56
    +13

    I work in a very inclusive workplace and I just don’t do them on any meeting I’m hosting, never have and never will.

    In the 2+ years I’ve been there no one has ever said anything nor has my director said anything to me to do them.

    • Sinnerator on 12/09/2025 - 08:04
      +7

      "Never Have and Never Will"
      my new t-shirt slogan

  • kanmen on 12/09/2025 - 00:03
    +23

    I feel like this isn't the workplace for you as there's a mismatch of values

    • Hardlyworkin on 12/09/2025 - 12:39
      +1

      Agreed. It seems Ops days are numbered though they have the choice to seek employment elsewhere or work for themselves.

      My work has plenty of rules and requirements I'm not a huge fan of though the cost benefit analysis is that I suck it up and get on with it. If something is a major issue, I would find a new employer that fits my values better.

  • gamemaster on 12/09/2025 - 00:57
    +37

    Didn’t you also complain about women in your workplace? How did that go?

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/828340

    • c64 on 12/09/2025 - 07:16
      +6

      I've been told my female boss "likes women"

      i think he totally misinterpreted that statement

    • Pufff on 12/09/2025 - 13:40
      +3

      Maybe op thinks if you discrimate indescriminately then its fine?

  • hasher22 on 12/09/2025 - 01:38
    +1

    Well, Australia started honouring the land because USA did it…. Just saying.

    • EightImmortals on 12/09/2025 - 07:01
      +10

      I thought it was done in lockstep with Canada and NZ? Funny how these social engineering projects all just magically happen at the same time?

      • 7ekn00 on 12/09/2025 - 09:52
        +1

        It's all part of agenda 2030 … if the population believes the land is not theirs, then it's much easier to take ;)

        Remember, you will own nothing and be happy :P

        • EightImmortals on 12/09/2025 - 11:14
          +2

          Indeed, they've recently stopped people from hiking in Canada cos 'hiker light bushfires' or some such BS.

        • ozb1ozb2ozb3 on 12/09/2025 - 11:19
          +2

          Isn’t it essentially already the case - almost?
          When I “own” a house, the proof lives in a land title database. One delete command, and suddenly, no title.
          Shares? Just records in a stock exchange system. Easy to transfer out with evidence fabricated the owner did it. Good luck proving otherwise.
          Money? Nothing more than a few bytes in a bank's database. Soooo easy to update to “0 AUD.”

          It feels like a rabbit hole of endless overthinking and despair. If “they” (whoever they may be) wanted to erase ownership, they don't have to wait till 2030.

        • geosta on 12/09/2025 - 14:50

          Just to be clear, nobody in Australia owns land except the Crown.

          Your "ownership" is simply a bundle of rights over a particular parcel of land, granted to you by the Crown. At any point in time, should they so wish, the Crown can extinguish your rights to that parcel of land.

          • ozb1ozb2ozb3 on 12/09/2025 - 15:40

            @geosta: And at best those rights only extend a few feet below the ground and may be a few metres into the air. So if you happen to live above a gold deposit, not really that lucky after all. Likewise you can not stop someone from flying a drone over your house. You can not even stop neighbour from pointing camera at your backyard. And don't even get me started about banks owning 70% of the house. "Ownership" is a mirage.

      • wetsandwich on 12/09/2025 - 14:16

        wait, are we allowed to talk about all this now? Us conspiracy theorists spelled it out 5 years ago but we were 'crazy' and banned/downvoted into hell back then. Nice to see you've all caught up though..

        • 7ekn00 on 12/09/2025 - 15:26

          Nah, we still get banned and down voted, just mention it in obscure / unpopular threads :P

  • elgrande on 12/09/2025 - 06:34
    +20

    I feel like if we really want to help Indigenous people then there are other more tangible things we can do

    If you actually believe that, you could build that into your welcome to country.

    • BigTed on 12/09/2025 - 11:06
      +7

      Sorry - how exactly is Welcome/Acknowledgement of Country a 'simple gesture to make other people feel welcome'?
      It is a meaningless gesture designed to posture. It is also not designed to make other people feel welcome. The words themselves are supposed to be welcoming non-indigenous people to country - but those very same people are already here, and many of them have been for generations. Suggesting that they are NOT welcome without some empty ceremony is decidedly unwelcoming.
      It is rare that ANY of the participants in any given meeting are actually indigenous, and by singling out one racial group for recognition it is excluding every other group from any type of welcome.

    • smartazz104 on 12/09/2025 - 14:31
      +2

      I bet OP's workplace has a total of zero Aboriginals working there.

  • Ocker on 12/09/2025 - 07:44
    +8

    ", if I continue to refuse, would this be a career killer?"………………………If you are employed by the Aboriginal Land Rights Commission, for example, then yes it could be a career killer.

  • mitty on 12/09/2025 - 07:44
    +4

    See, I would do the reverse. If I was asked to do acknowledgement of Country I would go completely over the top and go on and on, telling some personal anecdote that's tangentially related (I can't think of one off the top of my head but something would come to mind), taking way more time than should be taken. You won't be asked to do it again ;)

    My personal opinion is that while indigenous people and cultures deserve our respect (as do all cultures, beliefs, sexualities, etc) this particular one is trotted out way to much so much so that it cheapens the impact of it that it's simply become a box ticking exercise.

    • kanmen on 12/09/2025 - 10:46
      +5

      There are some First Nations people that would say that's exactly how an acknowledgement of country is supposed to be done, instead of the box-ticking 20 second statement.

      The way I was taught it by First Nations people was that we are supposed to make a link back to our work or our lives as to why the acknowledgement is important or relevant to us because then there's a meaning and purpose behind the acknowledgement, instead of it being just a token statement. It's probably not meant to go on for a long time, maybe a minute max, but it's supposed to have more of an impact than just the standard statement, with the impact being a reminder of the need to respect indigenous people and their ongoing struggles.

      I fear the statement was probably made in a way that makes it more palatable, but in doing so its lost its meaning.

    • BigTed on 12/09/2025 - 11:11
      +3

      My personal opinion is that while indigenous people and cultures deserve our respect (as do all cultures, beliefs, sexualities, etc)

      Do they though?
      I think all people deserve to start with a level of respect, but I do not think all cultures or beliefs are equally deserving of respect.
      Does a culture of ritual spearing deserve respect? Does a culture of FGM deserve respect? Does a culture of child marriage deserve respect? Do MAP deserve our respect?
      Not all cultures are equal, and not all cultures are equally deserving of respect.

  • pegaxs on 12/09/2025 - 07:50
    +24

    5 minutes into Friday and I’ve had enough of the internet already…

    • Far Cough on 12/09/2025 - 07:53
      +5

      Your clock must be wrong. Friday started at seven hours and 53 minutes ago.

      • pegaxs on 12/09/2025 - 08:10
        +1

        Yeah, I kinda slept through the first 7 hours and 48 minutes, to be honest…

        • Far Cough on 12/09/2025 - 08:18
          +4

          Waste of a Friday!!

    • DashCam AKA Rolts on 12/09/2025 - 08:37
      +10

      Going to have to renew my platinum membership, burning through those "-" votes.

      • pegaxs on 12/09/2025 - 09:27
        +8

        I blew through all mine in the "Chuck Kirk" thread yesterday. I've got none left for this thread until much later today… I'm a little concerned that if this part of the internet is going to become some kind of Neo-Nazi, right wing cooker circlejerk echo chamber, we might need to have a membership level above "Platinum".

        • studentl0an on 12/09/2025 - 09:36
          -8

          Sounds like you're militant far left leaning? Is that correct?

        • pegaxs on 12/09/2025 - 10:43
          +15

          Annnnd, I rest my case…

          EvErYtHiNg i DoNt uNdeRsTaNd iS LeFtiSt!1!!
          EvErYoNe WhO DoEsN't AgReE WiTh Me iS A LeFtiSt!1!!

          JFC, get some new material.

          • studentl0an on 12/09/2025 - 11:19
            +2

            @pegaxs: So yes.

            • pegaxs on 12/09/2025 - 11:41
              +2

              @studentl0an: Why do I have the feeling that you think that anyone not aligned with Neo-Nazi ideology, racist rhetoric and cooker conspiracy is a "LeFtiSt!11!!!"

              It's not the slur you think it is…

              • studentl0an on 12/09/2025 - 11:45

                @pegaxs: I looked at the posts you upvoted in the thread you mentioned and you upvoted ones celebrating his death. Here's one for example: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/16895932/redir

                So yeah, just remember what goes around comes around and the pendulum is swinging back hard the other way - particularly with young people from working class backgrounds.

                • niknikniknik on 12/09/2025 - 13:11
                  -2

                  @studentl0an: Precisely. People traditionally aligned with Kirk or Trump wouldn't publically celebrate the death of Albanese or Greta if it occured. The left are a different breed.

                • pegaxs on 12/09/2025 - 13:31
                  +3

                  @studentl0an: Lol. Seethe harder.

                  Upvoting posts doesn't make me a "LeFtiSt" and again, it's not the slur you "think" it is.

                  What goes around, comes around? Like, say advocating for gun ownership over the lives of kids and saying that school shootings and kids dying is just the cost of owning guns? I do NOT and have NEVER condoned violence to solve anything, but I am also not averse to letting Karma catch up with people. So, yeah, you are correct, what goes around does come around. Irony is a bitch and she always comes to collect.

                  ThE PeNdULuM iS sWiNgiNg bAcK HaRd!!1!

                  And just how hard it swung was great as it just about obliterated the Australian Fascist and MAGA wannabe party sorry, "LNP", in a single election. I LOVE that "swing". Queensland is right in the middle of a pack of leopards loose in their state just eating people's faces and acting all Surprised Pikachu about it.

                  Fascist Neo-Nazi arseholes. Australia says "no".

          • McFly on 12/09/2025 - 13:32

            @pegaxs:

            Annnnd, I rest my case…
            EvErYtHiNg i DoNt uNdeRsTaNd iS LeFtiSt!1!!
            EvErYoNe WhO DoEsN't AgReE WiTh Me iS A LeFtiSt!1!!

            … says the invoker of Godwin's law. Classic.

            • pegaxs on 12/09/2025 - 15:45

              @McFly:

              iT's iNvOkiNg gOdWiNz LaW, LoL!1!!!

              Reductio Ad Godwinium - a logical fallacy where, in an argument about Nazis, Nazi ideals, Nazi sympathisers and Nazi boot lickers, someone is trying to invalidate it by comparing the debate to Godwin's Law.

        • wetsandwich on 12/09/2025 - 14:18

          You sound mentally compromised, mate.

          What you are calling extremist neo nazi 'cookers' would be considered a normal person 10 years ago.

          So that might indicate that it's you who is the problem.

  • 87percent on 12/09/2025 - 08:02

    I’ve been finding less people do acknowledgment of country EXCEPT for the big meetings. There was a phase when every meeting, including stand ups, people were “im in Wurundjeri country” and it would take up 1/2 the meeting

    • BigTed on 12/09/2025 - 11:12
      +3

      I wish.
      Too many times I've sat in seminars which start with a Welcome/Acknowledgement - then every single speaker needs to do their own individual obeisence.

    • SlickMick on 12/09/2025 - 18:27

      I think one state said enough, it's over?? Surely it will end. Though those that don't support seem to be getting negged here so who knows.

  • payless69 on 12/09/2025 - 08:23

    Your question can be 100% answered by a small sign found in perspex at Circular Quai:

    Extract from a diary from Cook's fleet:

    All they wanted is to have us gone.

    You can't reverse history!!

  • JIMB0 on 12/09/2025 - 08:26
    +2

    Just be thankful they're not hiring yet, you could get lucky and end up with good one, but chances are you'll get some drop kick that drives you mad and can't be fired.

    • Porker on 12/09/2025 - 09:22
      +4

      This ^^ - might not be a popular opinion, but it can significantly affect the work

      For my workplace, while its not overtly stated, but ticking 'I am of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander' puts you to the top of the queue and/or automatically guarantees some benefit. I find it annoying as we're hiring based on background, not merit. We have a percentage compliance that we need to uphold with employment of Aboriginal/Torres Straight Islanders in order to continue to be able to work hand-in-hand with the original land custodians.

      Dropping below that employment level has meant the elders we consult with have refused to engage etc.

      So for OP's purposes, the inclusion of applicable art-work and naming of rooms etc may be to keep the elders happy / on-board, as to not do so may impact the business.

      • SlickMick on 12/09/2025 - 18:32

        I was just watching an early episode of Silicon Valley, where Jared thought it would be good if the best person for the job was a woman, although it wouldn't be relevant in any way (I can't recall it accurately, but funny as hell, except when it's real, like this).

    • Gareth on 12/09/2025 - 11:50
      +4

      You fitted so much casual racism in one short sentence - a masterpiece of concise intolerance!

      • JIMB0 on 12/09/2025 - 15:05
        -1

        I had to work with one. I went into it with an open mind, thinking just maybe we can help this guy and train him up.

        He was a total drop kick who wouldn't listen to what you told him and even tried to tell me how to do the job I'd been doing for years. If they were white, they'd have been let go, but because it was an Aboriginal they could do no wrong.

  • Stealtho on 12/09/2025 - 08:34

    How was the GWS game WTC last weekend, 4.5 mins held the start of the game up lol

    • McFly on 12/09/2025 - 13:36

      Hilarious, but glad I wasn't there.

  • Dollar General on 12/09/2025 - 08:47

    No one cares bro

    • plmko on 12/09/2025 - 09:05
      -1

      So true

    • FXx on 12/09/2025 - 09:10
      +6

      You cared enough to not only click on the post but comment.

      • Dollar General on 12/09/2025 - 09:49
        +3

        I mean no one cares about his/her career

        • BigTed on 12/09/2025 - 11:13

          Except OP of course…

  • Danstar on 12/09/2025 - 09:38
    +5

    I would too. It was brought up at a meeting I was in, if we should start doing them. I just flatly said no and we moved on.

  • Trying2SaveABuck on 12/09/2025 - 10:04
    +2

    Anyone who supports WTC it a straight up idiot, it is almost entirely made up to pander to an agenda (same with acknowledgement of country)

    with that said if your workplace push that kind of culture on you then you either shut up or leave (but i personally wouldnt do it if it was a team i lead but i wouldnt be against others doing it if they wanted to waste their time) i have the same attiude to relgious schools as i do, to this woke rubbish if you dont like there culture and values then don't work there - as long as the place is 'upfront' with its worker expectations i dont have an issue with it

    • SlickMick on 12/09/2025 - 18:36
      +1

      This is my attitude. It's probably obvious that I have refused to lead meetings when this is required. I don't straight out say why I won't lead the meeting, because I don't want to deal with the conversation that would follow. Unless I had another job to go to, in which case I would quite enjoy the conversation.

  • overthinking on 12/09/2025 - 10:09
    +4

    this is the kind of thing you just keep to yourself and just hope you'll never need to do one.

    to my knowledge it's not enforced …

    if you host a meeting and skip the acknowledgement, no one will bat an eye.

  • bargaino on 12/09/2025 - 10:17
    +3

    What if you were seconded to the UK branch?

    "We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the lands across England, including the Anglo-Saxon, Celtic, and other Indigenous peoples who have lived in harmony with this land for centuries. We pay our respects to their seniors past, present, and emerging, and recognise their enduring contributions to science, the arts and global culture."

    How would that go? Better to just stay quiet. It is not an argument that can be won.

    • SlickMick on 12/09/2025 - 18:40
      +1

      I've always said if I was forced to say the acknowledgement, I would find it necessary to also acknowledge all the immigrants who have contributed to making Australian great. I don't know whether the meeting would proceed before I was terminated or if it would be immediate.

  • randomvis on 12/09/2025 - 10:25
    +4

    I see the "welcome to country" as a humiliation ritual, or more accurately as a test performed by upper management and investors (who, I doubt anyone at the top takes seriously).

    From what I can gather, if you can bend your morals enough to do something you do not believe in yourself, (looking at you ESG and Welcome to Country). You are likely morally compromised and compliant enough to execute plans for the higher up without complaints.

    • cheekymonkey97 on 12/09/2025 - 10:53
      +3

      This is literally it. They want to see if you're willing to put your morals and beliefs aside to "play the game" and if you do you get rewarded through promotions because you'll be seen as easy to manage (read: control)

  • Cluster on 12/09/2025 - 10:35
    +3

    There should be nothing wrong with just silently sitting through a Welcome To Country, or not including it in your presentation. It's like singing the national anthem at sport events: most people don't do it, and that's fine. No one should be forced to.

    It's like being forced to say a prayer to specific deity at a workplace. You have a right to quietly sit out. I don't force my beliefs onto anyone else, and I expect the same amount of respect in return.

    Of course what your colleagues think and say about you is beyond your control. You could end up on the short list at the next round of firings. Just depends on how much your colleagues also believe in the ceremony. Maybe they're tired of it too, but are afraid to say.

    Personally I draw the line at participating in the addition that's sneaking in sometimes, about the land never being ceded followed by always was, always will be Aboriginal land. It's saying I don't own my house, and someone else purely based on their heritage could take it from me.

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