Why Narcotics Anonymous Australia Offers an Acknowledgement of Country
Some members have asked whether including an Acknowledgement of Country is an “outside issue” that may conflict with our Tenth Tradition. It’s important to understand the context and purpose behind this initiative.
In 2019, the Australian Regional Service Committee conducted a Fellowship Inventory. One of the key questions asked was: “Who is missing from our meetings?” Across the board, Indigenous Australians were identified as being underrepresented in our Fellowship.
This led to a deeper reflection: How can we make our meetings more welcoming and inclusive for Indigenous addicts seeking recovery?
In collaboration with the Indigenous Subcommittee, it was proposed that NA groups be offered an Acknowledgement of Country—a simple, respectful statement that recognises the Traditional Custodians of the land. This statement, developed and endorsed by the Indigenous Subcommittee, is intended to foster a sense of recognition and respect for Indigenous members and visitors.
Groups may choose to include this Acknowledgement in their clarity statements as a way to create a more inclusive atmosphere, in line with our spiritual principles of unity, love, and respect. This is not a political statement, but a gesture of welcome and healing—fully aligned with our primary purpose of carrying the message to the addict who still suffers.
The Indigenous Committee of the Australian Region of Narcotics Anonymous has provided an example of an Acknowledgement of Country which groups can integrate into their meeting format if they choose to.
As a matter of protocol, an acknowledgement of Country is usually read prior to the official start of meetings to set a tone of respect towards First Nations people.
Acknowledgement of Country for use by Australian NA groups or at other NA events:
“This group would like to acknowledge and pay respect to the traditional custodians of the land on which we meet.
(optional: The…people of the ….Nation/example: The Wurundjeri and Boonwurrung peoples of the Kulin Nation.) It is upon their ancestral lands that we meet.
We pay respect to knowledge embedded forever within Aboriginal custodianship of country.
We pay respect to their Elders past and present and we pay respect to other Aboriginal people present.”