2 City Councils Vote to Scrap Indigenous Ceremonies During Meetings

Two South Australian councils have axed the Indigenous “Acknowledgement of Country” ceremonial procedure—performed at all official meetings or on correspondence—with members saying their reason for doing so was because Australia was “one country.” On Nov. 21, the Northern Areas Council in regional South Australia passed a motion (pdf) without notice to “delete the Acknowledgement of Country and banner on correspondence.” The motion was moved by Councillor Hank Langes and seconded by Councillor John Barberien. Mayor Sue Scarman said an Acknowledgement to Country has been read at the start of council meetings for around two years, and there was no opposition to the motion....