Belonging to Country
The reciprocal relationship between people and their traditional lands.
Aboriginal people do not own country; they belong to it. This relationship brings both privileges and responsibilities. The country provides sustenance and identity; the people provide care and ceremony. This reciprocity maintains the health of both.
This country has been looking after my people forever. Now it is my turn to look after it.
Belonging to country creates obligations rather than just rights.
Oral Tradition
Written about in
- What Aboriginal Australians mean by belonging to Country
The direction of ownership is reversed: people belong to Country rather than holding it. Country provides food and identity, and people provide care and ceremony in return.