Acknowledgement of Country

Acknowledgement of Country

The Commissioner for Children and Young People proudly acknowledges and pays respects to the Traditional Custodians of the lands and waters across Western Australia and acknowledges the Whadjuk people of the Noongar nation upon whose lands the Commissioner’s office is located. She recognises the continuing connection to culture, lands, skies and waters, families and communities for all Aboriginal peoples. The Commissioner and her team also pay their respects to all Elders, past and present and emerging leaders. They recognise the knowledge, insights and capabilities of Aboriginal people, and pay respect to Aboriginal ways of knowing, being and doing.

A note about language

Prior to colonisation Aboriginal people primarily communicated through oral use of language. They were well versed in multiple languages to converse with surrounding groups for different contexts and responsibilities dependant on where you were located. Seasonal movement was quite common for hunting, gathering and other related responsibilities and language was often expressed through various forms of art, dance, songs and storytelling. The written form of language arose from the interpretation of Aboriginal words were captured by historical documentation and non-Aboriginal linguists who relied on western interpretation of sounds. This created various forms of spelling of Aboriginal words which can differ and are often accepted and recognised. For example, Noongar, Nyungar, Noongah. For the purposes of this report, the term ‘Aboriginal’ encompasses Western Australia’s diverse language groups and also recognises Torres Strait Islanders who live in Western Australia. The use of the term ‘Aboriginal’ in this way is not intended to imply equivalence between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, though similarities do exist.

Photographs of children and young people

All photographs featured in this annual report are of Western Australian children and young people and have been taken by or for the Commissioner for Children and Young People’s office, with appropriate consents given. All artworks featured are created by WA children and young people.

Quotations from children and young people

A selection of quotations is included in this report on relevant topics. The quotations are generally unedited to ensure the voice of the child or young person is authentically represented. Editing has only been done where necessary for clarity, understanding or for confidentiality. In this instance any changes or omissions have been marked with square brackets or an ellipsis (…).

Special acknowledgment

The Commissioner would like to thank Ms Tracey Ninyette, who stepped into the role for a six-week period in April when the Commissioner had to take personal leave.

Special thanks to the children and young people of WA who submitted the artworks used in this annual report during our Acknowledgment of Country project earlier this year. Many are students at Fitzroy Valley District High School. Credited in order of appearance:
- Surahanni
- Ira
- Harley
- Faith
- Denzel
- Gisele
- Autumn
- Harley
- Kyle
- Zaretha
- Aakarshen
- Seth
- Ava
- Mahalia
- Mila
- Levayaz
- Ismahl
- Hailey

Read other chapters of the 2024-2025 Annual Report