An appy Welcome to Country

Roebourne-based indigenous multi-media company Weerianna Street Media released the nation’s first Welcome to Country iphone application earlier this month.

The iPhone app delivers a simple Welcome to Country video introduction to Australian Indigenous culture, including basic cultural protocols that are tribal boundary geo-specific.

The app uses the GPS function of the iPhone to deliver a Welcome to Country video or text/image version to the user via a push notification.

Where available within a tribal boundary, the video will be of a traditional owner or elder, welcoming the visitor to their country when the user enters that tribal geo-boundary

Weerianna Street Media producer Robyn Marais said the app educated the user on more than 30 tribes and language groups’ culture and heritage protocols across the Australia.

“The app teaches users some simple, relevant information about Indigenous culture and the customs of the tribe within that tribal geo boundary,” she said.

“As such, the Welcome to Country iPhone app can be used by tourists, schools, employers, government departments, by tourism bodies and many other user groups and individuals.

“We will continue to add content - the next one to be finalised is Warlpiri - another wonderful video we look forward to sharing.”

Ms Marais thanked all those who had participated in the production or post-production of the app content.

“We're particularly grateful to the Elders/knowledge carriers who have provided such generous messages in the videos,” she said.

“We will continue to add content - the next one to be finalised is Warlpiri - another wonderful video we look forward to sharing.

“If groups you know of would like to make their own video, we'd be very pleased to add these to our app.”

If you’re a traditional owner or a member of an Australian Indigenous language group and would like your mob included on the app, contact welcomeapp@wsmedia.com.au or visit welcometocountry.mobi for more information.

You can download the Welcome to Country app for free on the iTunes app store.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are advised that this app may contain images and voices of people who have died.