LIVERPOOL CITY COUNCIL ABORIGINAL CULTURAL PROTOCOLS 2 Liverpool City Council’S Aboriginal Cultural Protocols ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
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LIVERPOOL CITY COUNCIL ABORIGINAL CULTURAL PROTOCOLS 2 Liverpool City Council’s Aboriginal Cultural Protocols ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Thank you to members of Liverpool City Council’s Aboriginal Consultative who guided and supported the development of this document. Thank you also to the support staff from Liverpool City Council who provided valuable feedback during the production of this resource. The views expressed by the authors do not necessarily reflect the views of Liverpool City Council. Norma Burrows, who took one of the photographs in this document, is gratefully acknowledged. A note on terminology: It is important to note that the term ‘Aboriginal’ is more appropriate than ‘Aborigine’, and should always be used when referring to Aboriginal people, their history and culture. It is also acknowledged that Indigenous peoples from the Torres Strait Islands should be consulted if they are part of the local community. ACRONYMS USED IN THIS POLICY AECG NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group Inc ARTSLAW The Arts Law Centre of Australia DAA Department of Aboriginal Affairs DET NSW Department of Education and Training GLALC Gandangara Local Aboriginal Land Council LCC Liverpool City Council TAFE Technical and Further Education TLALC Tharawal Local Aboriginal Land Council 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 3 Purpose 5 Local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People 7 Traditional Protocols 8 Welcome to Country 10 Smoking Ceremonies 13 Ownership, copyright, cultural and intellectual property 14 Flag Flying Protocol 16 Significant calendar events 18 Relevant Government Policies 19 Welcome to Country Performance Letter Appendix A 20 Fact Sheet for consulting with Aboriginal people Appendix B 21 4 Liverpool City Council’s Aboriginal Cultural Protocols PURPOSE Liverpool City Council (LCC) values cultural diversity and is committed to working in partnership with the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. It is important that Aboriginal culture is acknowledged at all levels of government to show respect for and build strong equal partnerships with Aboriginal peoples and communities. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures are complex and diverse. The aim of these Protocols is to assist Council staff and partners with ways we can work, communicate, consult and recoognise our local Aboriginal community. It is hoped that these protocols will provide the reader with a better understanding of Aboriginal culture and traditions. 5 INTRODUCTION Observing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural protocols demonstrates respect for the cultural traditions, history and diversity of the Aboriginal peoples and communities living within the Liverpool Local Government Area (LGA). This document has been developed with reference to the NSW Aboriginal Cultural Protocols and Practices Policy that provides guidance for incorporating Aboriginal cultural practices and ceremony practices at official events to: • Recognise and pay respects to Aboriginal peoples, culture and heritage; • Communicate Aboriginal cultural practices to the broader community; • Demonstrate that Aboriginal cultures are living through maintenance and practice of ceremonies and protocols; and • Recognise that Aboriginal people within Liverpool Council which can assist in building relationships and partnerships. These protocols will only be effective if they are acknowledged and implemented where appropriate within our organisation. 6 Liverpool City Council’s Aboriginal Cultural Protocols LOCAL ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER PEOPLE TRADITIONAL Liverpool City Council acknowledges the PROTOCOLS original inhabitants of the Liverpool LGA as the Darug, Gandangara and Tharawal Aboriginal People. Aboriginality and Torres Strait Council recognise the devastating impact of Islander Australians European invasion and the effects of forced An Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person is assimilation by the removal and separation someone who is: of Aboriginal people from their families and communities. The impact has created a loss • Of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent; of culture, language and identity. Liverpool • Identifies as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait City Council adopts the Council for Aboriginal Islander descent; or Reconciliation’s Vision Statement: • Is accepted by the community in which he or she lives as being of Aboriginal Torres Strait “A united Australia which respects this land of Islander descent. ours; values the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage; and provides justice, and According to the DAA Guidelines Aboriginal and equity for all”. Torres Strait Islander Australians is the full, official terminology. It should always be spelt out in full For further information in relation to local and not shortened to its acronym ‘ATSI’. Always Aboriginal nations in NSW visit the NSW use a capital ‘A’ for Aboriginal and capitals ‘T’, ‘S’ Aboriginal Land Council website: and ‘I’ for Torres Strait Islander. www.nswalc.org.au or contact Liverpool City Council on 1300 36 2170 or Most Aboriginal people prefer not to be called visit www.liverpool.nsw.gov.au. an ‘Aborigine’; the preferred term is ‘Aboriginal person’. Koori/Koorie, Murri, Goorie These are terms used by Aboriginal people in NSW when referring to themselves. They are generally not to be used by non-Aboriginal people unless permission has been sought, except when using recognised industry names such as ‘Koori Mail’. Indigenous The term Indigenous Australians is acceptable in certain circumstances with a capital ‘I’. 7 Terms Traditional Custodians It is most important to check which term is ‘Traditional Custodians’ is the term to describe the preferred by a particular community, and when it is original Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people appropriate to use each term. who inhabited an area. Traditional custodians today are descendants of the original inhabitants It is Important to know that it is offensive to and have ongoing spiritual and cultural ties to the question the ‘amount’ of Aboriginal or Torres Strait land and waterways where their ancestors lived. Islander blood a person may possess. Rather, it is advisable to ask people how they would like to be It is often important to find out the name of the described. This may include where they come from particular group/s of local Aboriginal people that or which community or clan they identify with. are the traditional custodians of land, particularly when an event is held on that land and a ‘Welcome to Country’ and/or ‘Acknowledgement of Country’ Elders is planned. Elders are custodians of knowledge. They are chosen and accepted by their own communities Sources of information about traditional and are highly respected. custodians include the local council and/or the local Aboriginal Land Council. Gender Protocols Aboriginal society still regards some information as Getting Permission specific and sacred to either men or women. This Getting permission is essential before starting knowledge is sacred and recorded in a way that work on any project that has an impact directly on only men or only women can access. Aboriginal communities. It may be difficult to distinguish between men’s Getting permission involves forming strong and women’s business. We need to be aware partnerships with Aboriginal organisations. that such issues exist, seek advice from Aboriginal They can advise of the correct protocol for people about when they are likely to arise and how gaining consent. Permission will rarely be refused to manage such issues. if the purpose of the work is clearly understood and the way of undertaking the work is properly negotiated. Where it is refused, the reason may relate to issues that are sacred or taboo, related to a death custom, or be specifically women’s or men’s business. 8 Liverpool City Council’s Aboriginal Cultural Protocols Naming the deceased In many Aboriginal communities it is offensive to refer to a deceased person by name or show photographic images of the person during the mourning period, unless agreed to by the relevant family. Many organisations are now using cultural warnings to avoid causing offence to the families of deceased persons. Disclaimer When using images of Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander people in publications such as Annual Reports and Operational Plans, it is appropriate to include the following at the front or end of the document: Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this document (Title of the document) may contain images of deceased Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander people. Sorry Business Sorry Business is a term used by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders which refers to the passing of a family or community member. It is extremely important in Indigenous cultures that people participate in Sorry Business. Sorry Business includes attending funerals and taking part in mourning activities with the community. Due to the extended family make up, Sorry Business can sadly be common for Indigenous Australians and the workplace should be supportive and respectful of such commitments. Be aware that it is common practice not to mention the name of a deceased person or show pictures of them for some time after they have passed away. Attending the funeral of people they know and /or are related to (extended family may mean a person has three grannies) ensures that the spirit of the person that has passed away is put to rest properly. If they do not attend or the funeral is not done according to culture, the spirit may