National Tertiary Education Union
Welcome to Country Protocols Policy
Contents Cultural or personal histories
7
Dancers
7
Traditional instrument performances
7
Smoking ceremonies
7
Other ceremonies
7
4
FEE FOR SERVICE
8
4
Intellectual property
8
Travel costs
8
Payment methods
8
CONTACTS
9
oVERVIEW
2
PROTOCOLS FOR NTEU EVENTS
3
Observation of protocols
3
Minimum requirements
3
Major official events
4
Flags on display Calendar of events
APPROPRIATE CEREMONIES
5
Welcome to Country
6
Acknowledgment of Country
6
Acknowledging Elders
7
Photo by Tracey Johns
NTEU Welcome to Land Protocols Policy, Published by National Tertiary Education Union © 2009 NTEU National Office, PO Box 1323, South Melbourne VIC 3205 Australia Phone: (03) 9254 1910 Fax: (03) 9254 1915 Email: national@nteu.org.au Online version available at www.nteu.org.au/indigenous Cover image by Effie Serico
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oVERVIEW The Welcome to Country Protocols Policy applies to the NTEU National Office, Divisions and Branches. It is a guide to assist in acknowledging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples at official NTEU functions and events. NTEU recognises, respects and acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ unique position in Australian history and their deep-seated connection to land, traditional culture and heritage.
●● Communicate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural practices to NTEU membership and broader community to promote learning, respect and understanding.
All Australians can be proud to learn of and share in their unique history and culture. It is important that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, protocols and connection to land is recognised and acknowledged at all official events.
●● Demonstrate that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures are ongoing, live and endure through the maintenance and practice of ceremonies and cultural protocols.
By incorporating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural practices into official events, NTEU is able to: ●● Recognise and pay respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders, community and their cultures.
●● Demonstrate the recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ cultures and connection to land, and through this, assist in building ongoing relationships and partnerships. The NTEU Welcome to Country Protocol Policy is designed to ensure appropriate recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and to demonstrate to the membership of NTEU and the broader community that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and cultural practices have survived and continue to be practiced. Carolyn Briggs performing the Welcome to Land at the EI Indigenous Seminar 2008. Photo by Paul Clifton
NTEU requires that appropriate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural practices are incorporated into all official functions and events, and provide resources to all Divisions and Branches to assist in achieving this.
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PROTOCOLS FOR NTEU EVENTS Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are the ‘traditional custodians’ of Australia and it is important that this unique position of Aboriginal people is recognised and incorporated into an NTEU official protocol document. Through these protocols, it is envisaged that all NTEU members and stakeholders will increase their personal knowledge, share and promote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and undertake to build ongoing relationships between the NTEU and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Examples of official events include meetings of the National Council, National Executive, Division Executive, Branch Committee meetings, policy/campaign launches, official forums, conferences and seminars (where NTEU is a majority stakeholder) and prior to the commencement of protests/industrial action. These events also symbolise the values of the NTEU and the way we envisage our community to be into the future. The purpose of this policy is to assist all levels of the NTEU to observe appropriate protocols for the recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples at official events or at events where the NTEU is a participant. This NTEU policy is consistent with many State/Territory and Commonwealth Government protocols relating to Welcome to Country, for example the Premier’s Department of New South Wales, Public Sector policy – Aboriginal Cultural Protocols and Practices Policy. In NTEU policy, the term ‘Aboriginal’ and/ or ‘Torres Strait Islander’ are used in preference to ‘Indigenous’ as Indigenous is an international term adopted by the United Nations to identify all Indigenous peoples in a global context.
Observation of Protocols Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ceremonies and practices differ from place to place and community to community. Not all communities are the same and care must be taken to ensure consultation is undertaken with the locally recognised Aboriginal and/ or Torres Strait Islander community at least one month prior to any NTEU official events. The planning timetable of official events needs to allow time for effective consultations and negotiations with Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander communities. This is to ensure that an Elder(s) participate at the event, and that time is allowed for discussions and decision-making within those communities. The type of recognition afforded to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples at an official NTEU event needs to follow procedures as set out in this policy, and be appropriate to the nature and size of each event.
Minimum requirements When planning an official event, NTEU Division/Branch Officers and Staff are in the first instance directed to consult with their Divisional Indigenous Policy Committee (IPC) representatives and/or the National Indigenous Officer (NIO) on: ●● Appropriate ceremonies and/or performances for the official event. ●● Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Elders and communities who are to be contacted. ●● Protocols for contacting Elders and/or communities in the local region.
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A Welcome to Country must be the first item on the agenda/program for the event. To place the traditional Welcome to County other than the first item would be deemed as disrespect to Elders and the local community in attendance. If Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Elders are not available to perform Welcome to Country, then their children or siblings may agree to be contacted to participate in significant events. Where a traditional Welcome to Country cannot be undertaken (due to clash of timetables, death/funeral in community or ceremony), the minimum requirement for all NTEU official events is an Acknowledgment of Country. An Acknowledgment of Country differs greatly from a Welcome to County (see p. 6 for details).
Major Official Events All major NTEU official public events are to include a Welcome to Country ceremony. Events in this category include but are not limited to: ●● National Council meetings ●● major policy/campaign launches ●● forums, conferences and seminars ●● protests and industrial action ●● press conferences. Other ceremonies or practices may also be undertaken as considered appropriate and desirable by Aboriginal or Torres Strait
Islander communities, including dances and performances. However as indicated above, a Welcome to Country or Acknowledgment of County is to be incorporated into all major events and placed as the first item of business in the agenda/program. At all times ensure that appropriate consultations and negotiations are undertaken with the local Elders and community as outlined under minimum requirements.
Flags on display At events at which flags are shown, the order of display from an audience perspective from left to right is, the Australian flag, the Aboriginal flag and the Torres Strait Islander flag.
Calendar of Events To assist in planning for events it is recommended that each Division and Branch of the NTEU develop their own calendar/database of events in which Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander ceremonies can be incorporated. For future reference and with the permission of the local community, the database may also contain details on Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Elders and organisations for each region/Branch/campus where ceremonies are undertaken.
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APPROPRIATE CEREMONIES Each Division and Branch of the NTEU may choose to include one or more of the following ceremonies when organising official events: ●● Welcome to Country. ●●Acknowledgment of Country. ●● Other ceremonies such as ‘smoking ceremonies’. ●●Personal or cultural histories. ●● Dance or other performances.
Table 1: organising public meetings and events - QUICK GUIDE Event
Welcome to Country
Acknowledgment of Country
National Council Meeting
YES
YES#
National Executive Meetings
NO*
YES
Division Council Meetings
NO*
YES
Division Executive Meetings
NO*
YES
Branch Committee Meetings
NO*
YES
Opening of a new Office
YES
YES#
Conferences/ Seminars/Forums
YES
YES#
Campaign/Policy Launches
YES
YES#
Industrial Action
YES
YES#
Press Conferences
NO
YES
Public Lectures
YES
YES#
Dance & instrumental performances
Smoking Ceremony
To be determined by agreement with the local community
To be determined by agreement with the local community
YES
To be determined by agreement with the local community
* A Welcome to Country can be performed if required - to be determined by Division/Branch. # Only if a Welcome to Country is not possible.
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Welcome to Country The Welcome to Country ceremony is to be undertaken ONLY by an Elder(s) or a locally recognised senior Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community spokesperson. There is no exact wording for Welcome to Country. The content of the Welcome to Country is to be determined by the local Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community, with reference to the nature of the event and community practices.
Advice on the appropriate wording for an Acknowledgment of Country can be sought from the Divisional Indigenous Representative or the National Indigenous Officer. Suggested wording is: ‘In the spirit of Reconciliation, I have been given the honour of acknowledging that we are meeting on the traditional lands of the ___________ (insert traditional custodians/language group name).
As part of the Welcome, Elders and community may provide information on local Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander histories and cultural information, and will then welcome the audience to the country.
I wish to formally recognise the Elders, families and forebears of the___________ (insert traditional custodians/language group name) people and acknowledge they are the traditional custodians of the land, and have been so for millennia.
The traditional custodians are to be approached to undertake the Welcome to Country ceremony. This is dependent upon the location of the event and the practices of the local Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community.
We acknowledge that the land on which we meet is of significance to the ___________ (insert traditional custodians/language group name) peoples living culture, and has a unique role in the life of this region.
It is important to ensure that negotiations with the local Aboriginal community have occurred (at least one month prior) and that appropriate Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Elders are invited to undertake the ceremony.
On behalf of the traditional custodians and members of the local community, I have the pleasure in welcoming you all to this event today.’
If a Welcome to Country ceremony cannot be undertaken, then an Acknowledgment of Country is to be conducted.
* If the local peoples’ name is not known then say, ‘I wish to acknowledge the Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander custodians on whose land we are meeting today.’
Acknowledgment of Country
A Chairperson, Master of Ceremonies or other can begin the meeting by acknowledging that the meeting is taking place in the country of the traditional custodians.
An Acknowledgment of Country is a way that an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person, who is not from the local region where the event is being held, or for nonAboriginal/Torres Strait Islander people to formally recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture/heritage.
There are some areas where debate within community is ongoing as to who are the traditional custodians of certain land areas. In these instances those who acknowledge the country can acknowledge ‘all the traditional custodians of this land’ without naming those people. If it is clear who the traditional custodians are, it is appropriate to say so.
An Acknowledgment of Country is only to be undertaken when no traditional custodian is available to do so.
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Acknowledging Elders It is important that all speakers, both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and nonAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people acknowledge any Elders and community who may be in attendance at the meeting/public event prior to presenting or speaking.
Cultural or personal histories Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are often asked to give personal or cultural histories to non-Aboriginal communities to encourage learning, create a greater understanding and awareness about Aboriginal history and culture.
Traditional Instrument Performances Performances incorporating traditional instruments maybe incorporated into a Welcome to Country. Didgeridoo players are frequently used in Welcome ceremonies to call speakers, special guests and the audience to begin the ceremony. A didgeridoo player may also be used as a soloist in other parts of the ceremony. Care must also be given to ensure that the appropriate traditional instrument is utilised in the Welcome to Country. For example, in Victoria the traditional instrument is the clapping boomerangs.
Smoking ceremonies
It should not be assumed that an Elder and/ or community members will agree to discuss Smoking ceremonies are only to be conductlocal Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander ed by Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander history, in some peoples with specialcases this may cause ised cultural knowldistress to the Elder edge. The ceremony REMEMBER to consult with the or community in ataims to cleanse/renew Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander tendance. the space in which the communities at all times on the best ceremony takes place. If negotiated, the
form of recognition and cultural
Elder or community Given the signifipractice ceremonies. member performing cant nature of the the Welcome to ceremony, smoking Country may wish ceremonies are usually to give a personal account, talk on history only performed at major events. See Table 2 and/or provide audiences with knowledge of for recommended fee. Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage and practices.
Other ceremonies
Dancers
Other ceremonies may be undertaken along with those outlined above.
Dancers are often used as part of Welcome ceremonies. There are many professional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dance troupes and individuals across Australia. Charges will vary according to level of training, the size of the company, the nature of the dance required and whether the dancers charge by the hour or per performance.
Such ceremonies might include personal or cultural histories, dance or other forms of performance. NTEU Divisions and Branches are encouraged to consult with local Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander communities on the best form of recognition for each event reflecting the Union’s commitment to Reconciliation and Social Justice.
See Table 2 for recommended fees.
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FEE FOR SERVICE Intellectual Property In providing cultural services such as Welcome to Country, artistic performances and ceremonies Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are using their intellectual property. As such providers of these services should be appropriately remunerated. Appropriate remuneration and/or assistance should be negotiated between the local Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Elder, community or organisation and the relevant NTEU Branch, Division or National Office committee. NTEU National Office maintains a fee for service schedule. The schedule sets minimum fees for a range of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural services. It is important to note that the schedule is only a guide and stated minimum fees are current as per the relevant certified Agreement.
travel costs It is important to also take into consideration travel to and from the event. In rural and
remote areas of Australia, where transport is a major issue, Divisions and Branches are to consider providing transport to and from the event. This requirement is especially important for Elders performing Welcome to Country ceremonies.
Payment methods Payment for Welcome to Country and performances will be largely determined by NTEU financial/procurement procedures. Professional performers are to be asked to provide a tax invoice quoting an ABN number before payment can be made. Where an ABN cannot be provided, the service providers are to complete an ATO ‘Statement by a Supplier’ form. This will ensure the earnings are not taxed at the highest margin of 48%. Forms can be downloaded from the Australian Taxation Office website: www.ato.gov.au/content/downloads/nat3346. pdf It is best if payments can coincide with the actual event. When making a booking, ensure that a tax invoice is provided to the NTEU Finance Unit as soon as possible so that payment for the activity can be made on the day of the event.
Table 2: Cultural Practices and Performances Fee Schedule Cultural practice
Certified Agreement
Recommended fee
Welcome to Country
Nil
$200.00
Smoking Ceremony
Performers Collective Agreement 2007-2009
$631.98
Didgeridoo performance
Performers Collective Agreement 2007-2009
$421.32
Dancer category 1 (inexperienced)
Performers Collective Agreement 2007-2009
$497.88
Dancer category 2 (experienced)
Performers Collective Agreement 2007-2009
$526.65
Guest Lecturer (based on 2 hours preparation and 1 hour delivery)
University of Sydney (Academic) Collective Agreement 2006-2008
$149.15
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CONTACTS Local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities, Land Councils and Local Cooperatives are able to identify people who can perform Welcome to Country and assist with other relevant information for a Welcome to or Acknowledgment of Country. In the first instance, Branches and Divisions should contact the NTEU Indigenous Policy Committee (IPC) representative in their State or Territory to source the appropriate local contact for conducting a Welcome to Country.
national Adam Frogley National Indigenous Officer Indigenous Unit, NTEU National Office, 120 Clarendon Street, South Melbourne VIC 3205 Phone: (03) 9254 1910 Mobile: 0408 525 492
Email: afrogley@nteu.org.au
New South Wales Terry Mason National Indigenous Councillor Senior Lecturer, Badanami Centre for Indigenous Education, Bankstown Campus, University of Western Sydney Phone: (02) 9772 6194 Mobile: 0401 599 051 Email: tmason@uws.edu.au Maree Graham Indigenous Division Councillor NSW Manager, Office of Marketing, Werrington North Campus, UWS Phone: (02) 9678 7407 Mobile: 0424 156 537
Email: me.graham@uws.edu.au
Victoria Bronwyn Fredericks National Indigenous Councillor NHMRC Research Fellow, Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Clayton Campus, Monash University Phone: (07) 3856 2023 Email: bronwyn.fredericks@med.monash.edu.au
Queensland John Graham Indigenous Division Councillor QLD Learning Assistance Officer, Gumurrii Centre, Nathan Campus, Griffith University Phone: (07) 3735 7653 Email: john.graham@griffith.edu.au
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Tasmania Deborah Brown Indigenous Division Councillor TAS Administration Officer, Riawunna Centre for Aboriginal Education, Hobart Campus, University of Tasmania Phone: (03) 6226 2539 Mobile: 0427 444 655 Email: D.J.Brown@utas.edu.au
South Australia Frances Wyld Indigenous Division Councillor SA Associate Lecturer, Division of Education, Arts & Social Sciences, City West Campus, University of South Australia Phone: (08) 8302 0914 Email: frances.wyld@unisa.edu.au
Western Australia Craig Somerville Indigenous Division Councillor WA Associate Lecturer, Centre for Aboriginal Studies, Bentley Campus, Curtin University Phone: (08) 9266 4058 Mobile: 0407 423 964
Email: c.somerville@gunada.curtin.edu.au
Marilyn Strother National Indigenous Councillor Coordinator, School of Indigenous Studies, Crawley Campus, University of Western Australia Phone: (08) 6488 2402 Email: Marilyn.Strother@uwa.edu.au
Act Peter Pinnington Indigenous Division Councillor ACT Lecturer, ANU Medical School, Acton Campus, Australian National University Phone: (02) 6125 7656 Mobile: 0405 710 661
Email: peter.pinnington@anu.edu.au
Northern Territory Alma Mir Indigenous Division Councillor NT Research Assistant – General, Batchelor Campus, Batchelor Institute Phone: (08) 8939 7333 Mobile: 0488 520 143
Email: alma.mir@batchelor.edu.au
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National Tertiary Education Union
www.nteu.org.au/indigenous