Traditional Owners Recognition

Recognition & Respect of Traditional Lands: As members of the MSC, of many origins as we are, speak with one voice in acknowledging and pay respect to the Indigenous Australians who are the first people of this land and acknowledge the people of the Dhuduroa, Jaitmathang, Taungurung, Gunai/kurnai, and Ngarigo nations as the original custodians of the lands in which we meet and travel. We acknowledge that European colonisation brought about immense changes to the land and Indigenous people resulting in loss of land, culture, family, health and sovereignty. We acknowledge that for over two hundred years Indigenous people have survived European colonisation. MSC will continue to publicly acknowledge and support significant cultural dates, commemorative events and sites of cultural significance. We support the rights of all Indigenous people as outlined in the Draft United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People. We acknowledge that Aboriginal people bestow the mountain communities with significant cultural, social, economic and spiritual contributions that are crucial to the character and nature of the Alpine National Park.