THE King Island Council has dropped the custom of opening their term of office with a Christian prayer. The council will also include an acknowledgement of historical links to the Aboriginal community.
In a report to the council, general manager Kate Mauric said when this current council began their term of office in 2018 it was the custom and practice to invite a member of the Christian churches to open the council meeting with a prayer.
She said a council working group decided Christian prayer did not align with widespread community values and that it was not appropriate to begin the meetings in this way.
The group addressed the question: “After considering our diverse community, what is the most appropriate way to begin a council meeting on King Island that celebrates acceptance and inclusivity”. The group decided that out of respect to the Aboriginal community, council meetings should begin with an acknowledgement to country.
“The working group conducted a community consultation and engaged directly with members of the Christian churches,” Ms Mauric said. “The working group has reported to council throughout this process “This idea was agreed to by members of the Christian churches.” However, there was some uncertainity as to the links the Aboriginal community have to the land we call King Island and hence, what would be the most suitable wording.
“The working group has sought to gain a full understanding of the Aboriginal links to King Island. “The group consulted with Dewayne Everettsmith, a cultural awareness educator with the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre. “He described the cultural appropriateness of the acknowledgement of country. He also explained the geographical connection between NW Tasmania and King Island and how King Island would have been the traditional land of the NW Palawa peoples.”
Based on the discussion with Dewayne and the ideas presented throughout this consultation process, the working group made recommendations and the council voted in the October council meeting and accepted:
• That the King Island Council will begin each ordinary meeting with a moment of reflection: “Councillors, to begin this meeting [I/we] ask you to stand in silence or reflection of our responsibilities to the people of King Island.”
• That this be followed by an acknowledgement to the traditional owners of the land: “We begin today by acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land on which we meet today and pay our respects to their elders past and present. “We extend that respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples here today.”