First Nations experiences in Australia

Intrepid preferences the use of First Nations person/people when referring to a group of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander People. Using First Nations allows us to continue to acknowledge that the land we now call Australia was previously home to many different nations of people who all had their own languages and cultures.  

However, asking the person how they would like to be addressed is always recommended, as this differs significantly between people. 

Yes, various research shows that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are the oldest known civilisation, they’ve been in Australia for more than 65,000 years. 

One of the easiest ways to support First Nations people is to learn more about their history and culture. It also helps to familiarise yourself with significant dates and attend important events. Including an Acknowledgement of Country at the beginning of your next meeting or event is a respectful way to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land you live or work on. You can further support First Nations communities by choosing First Nations-owned and run businesses.

You can also give to Intrepid Foundation partner Country Needs People who work with First Nations communities and support Indigenous land and sea management in Australia. Donations made through the Intrepid Foundation directly support Country Needs People to provide ongoing support to more Indigenous community-led organisations across Australia while increasing government funding for Indigenous land and sea management. 

First Nations tourism experiences allow travellers to learn from, understand and respect First Nations culture. Working with First Nations travel businesses and partners also helps share the economic benefits of tourism with the community.  

In Australia, Country describes the lands, waterways and seas to which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are connected. Country is one of the most important concepts to Traditional Custodians. It’s more than just land; it’s complex ideas about stories, places, customs, language, spiritual beliefs, cultural practices, material sustenance, family, and identity.  

Anyone can give an Acknowledgement of Country to begin any event, meeting or gathering. An Acknowledgement of Country is a statement of gratitude, respect, and awareness of the long and ongoing connection that the Traditional Custodians have to the land and waterways, as well as showing respect to those that have gone before.  

A Welcome to Country is performed at significant events and only by a Traditional Custodian of the land on which the event is held. It can be in various formats, such as a smoking ceremony (to let spirits know that they are bringing people on Country), a song, dance or a story in language.  

A Traditional Custodian of the land performs a Welcome to Country. A Welcome to Country welcomes visitors on Country to physically and spiritually protect them and to remind visitors of their obligation to look after the land for the time that they spend there.  

An Acknowledgement of Country is an opportunity to show respect for the Traditional Owners of the land. It recognises and reminds Australians that we all live and work on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' lands. 

The Traditional Owners – the local Anangu people – consider Uluru a deeply spiritual place, and climbing Uluru is a desecration of one of Australia’s most sacred sites. This is why, in 1998, we were among the first tour operators to stop travellers from climbing the sacred site, well before all climbing was officially banned in 2019. 

Climbing Uluru also caused erosion, littering, and danger for travellers.

Reconciliation Australia explains reconciliation as an ongoing journey geared towards strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous peoples for the benefit of all Australians. For many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, Australia’s colonial history is characterised by devastating land dispossession, violence, and racism. Their vision of reconciliation is based and measured on five dimensions: historical acceptance, race relations, equality and equity, institutional integrity and unity. 

A Reconciliation Action Plan helps organisations identify how they can genuinely contribute to reconciliation through their business. It’s an exciting path towards Intrepid becoming a better and more supportive partner of First Nations people and ultimately building a fairer and more just Australia. You can read more about our Reconciliation Action Plan here.