US comedian Bill Maher’s controversial Real Time land acknowledgment clip divides Australia

An American comedian’s take on traditional land acknowledgements has exposed division among Australians over whether they are worthwhile or empty of meaning.

A video by US comedian Bill Maher talking about land acknowledgement – used in America and Canada as it is in Australia – on his show Real Time includes him telling the audience the statements are void of meaning when actual action isn’t taken. 

‘To all the people who start every public event now with one of those land acknowledgements where they say, ‘I’m standing on land that was stolen from the proud Indigenous people of the Chumash tribe’, I say either give it back or shut the f*** up,’ Maher said.

The clip has gained more than 48,000 likes since it was uploaded on Sunday.

Acknowledgement of Country is given before official ceremonies in Australia to pay respect to traditional Indigenous land custodians (pictured, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese)

The acknowledgement of land, or acknowledgement of Country, is typically used in Australia to recognise the traditional owners of the land on which an official ceremony is held. 

It is usually spoken at the beginning of an event. 

While Maher was referring to Native Americans, his words also struck a chord with Australians who flocked to the comments section to share their thoughts.

‘Australia has been doing this for years. I think the same thing every time,’ one person wrote.

‘It reminds me of a prayer before dinner or something,’ another said.

‘Every single event in Australia, at first I was like ‘cool’, now I’m like ‘I’m done’. 

‘I did a course at TAFE and every single class our trainer had to do it,’ another wrote.

American comedian Bill Maher (above) told people giving land acknowledgement to ‘give it back or shut the f*** up’

However, not everyone was convinced stripping away the acknowledgement is the right way forward.

‘Not exactly in our power to give it back. It’s the least we can do,’ one person commented.

‘Honouring the treaties and relationships,’ another said. 

Earlier in the episode, Maher said he wished there was more focus on the progress countries – specifically the US – has made in its relationship with Indigenous people than its bloody history.

‘That’s what’s so odd about this time that we’re living in,’ he said.

‘For all the talk of fighting for the soul of America, nobody seems to like it very much.

‘A country that started out bad and will always be bad and unable to change, but we have changed. A lot.’