Wurundjeri Elders are calling on former US President Barack Obama to acknowledge Country during his visit to Naarm (Melbourne) this week.

Elders of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation are calling on Mr Obama to pay his respects to the Wurundjeri people and culture during his time in Naarm.

The former US President arrived down under on March 27 as part of a speaking tour with former Foreign Minister Julie Bishop.

Former Kansas Senator and current acting executive officer of Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation, Donald Betts, said Mr Obama acknowledging the Wurundjeri people would set a precedent for the rest of the world.

"This is a matter of paying due respect to Australia's first peoples in the first instance but it's also a chance to take a leading role in reconciliation," Mr Betts said.

"For a former US President to visit is one thing, but it sends a really strong message to the rest of the world that the culture and rights of First Nations communities matter.

"We want President Obama to hear our voice and set a standard when foreign dignitaries visit Melbourne, even when politicians from other parts of Australia visit Melbourne, they pay their respect to the first people, to the Wurundjeri."

Mr Obama's visit comes a month after member of Pueblo of Laguna and 35th generation New Mexican, US Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland gave a keynote address in Australia.

As the first Native American to serve as a US cabinet secretary, Secretary Haaland's keynote address highlighted the importance of Indigenous knowledge and collaborative conservation in the global effort to fight the climate crisis.

During her tour of Australia, Secretary Haaland also met with Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney to discuss consultation with First Nations people.

Wurundjeri Elders hope Mr Obama will take up their invitation and set a precedent for when others visit Naarm.