Respect for Indigenous cultures in Australia
In Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture it is respectful to formally womin djeka (welcome) people to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander country or land. At RMIT we do this with the following acknowledgement:
We would like to acknowledge Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nations as the Traditional Owners of the land on which the University stands. We respectfully recognise Elders past, present and future.
At RMIT we recognise and respect the unique culture and contribution that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people bring to our communities. We are also proud to provide study, cultural, & personal support to our Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander students in their learning journey. We womin djeka you to further explore and experience more about Australian Indigenous culture by enrolling in our Indigenous specialist courses, visiting our Indigenous education centre - Ngarara Willim Centre and interacting with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and students.
RMIT's Act (PDF 756.9kb 69p) legally endorses our commitment to ‘use our expertise and resources to involve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of Australia in its teaching, learning, research and advancement of knowledge activities and thereby contribute to:
Further to this our Strategic and Academic Plans also strengthens our commitment to engaging with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Our Equity and Diversity Plan clearly explains this commitment:
RMIT recognises the inherent value of Indigenous Australian perspectives to the University. The University aims to position itself as both an employer of choice and preferred place to study for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.
RMIT has undertaken a firm commitment to contribute to, and lead in, the areas of reconciliation and Indigenous community development.
The University values cultural diversity, believes all staff and students should be treated with dignity and respect and seeks to contribute to creating a nation that provides equal life chances for all and works in collaboration with its Indigenous heritage.
- Excerpt from the RMIT Equity & Diversity Plan
Our Indigenous Education Centre is called the Ngarara Willim Centre. The Centre’s name means ‘gathering place’ in the Victorian Aboriginal language of Wurundjeri. The Centre is a gathering place for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and staff. It is also a place for the university community to gain a better appreciation for Indigenous culture, business and knowledge. Find out more about the services and experiences Ngarara Willim Centre has to offer or find us on campus.
Ngarara Willim Centre staff womin djeka you to our place.
We have many external partners that are focused on Indigenous services and connections. Links to their sites are as follows:
Acknowledgement of Country
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.
Acknowledgement of Country
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.