A UNIVERSITY OF

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PROTOCOLS CULTURAL

Torres Strait Islander Peoples and Torres Strait ’s Aboriginal Aboriginal of Canberra’s University B CULTURAL PROTOCOLS GUIDE rewarding andinfluentialcareers. who, through higher education, willgrow theknowledgeandqualificationsthatwillequipthemfor keep thesecultures alive andvibrant. We alsopay respect toandcelebrate theemerging leaders cultures, andweare playingourpart tosupportAboriginalandTorres Strait Islander peoplesto As aUniversity, weare proud withtheworld’s thatwelive inthecountry oldestcontinuousliving land uponwhichtheUniversity’s maincampussitsandpays respect toallElders past andpresent. The University ofCanberra acknowledgestheNgunnawal peopleastheTraditional Custodians ofthe UNIVERSITY OF CANBERRA 1 2 2 5 4 6 2 2 9 9 4 6 6 6 6 8 11 11 10

Guidelines on Acknowledgement of Country Guidelines on Acknowledgement Language Groups and Nations Guidelines on Welcome to Country Guidelines on Welcome Smoking Ceremonies Identity Islander Strait Torres Aboriginal and 3.2 1.2 4.1 3.1 1.1 Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country of Country and Acknowledgement to Country Welcome Leadership Islander Strait Torres of Aboriginal and Office definitions Legal and acronyms Guidelines on terminology Sensitivities Custodians Owners and Traditional Traditional Plan Action Reconciliation Significant dates support? can I go for more Where links Helpful Ceremonies What are Cultural Protocols and why do we need them? and why Protocols Cultural What are Overview 3 5 and Strategy 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 4 2 1 2 CULTURAL PROTOCOLS GUIDE working practices andvaluing thecultural thatenriches, diversity motivates anddrives moving forward. represents animportantsteptowards understanding,respecting andrepresenting Indigenous world-views, encouraging culturally appropriate misunderstanding, andtheirinterests, rightsandconcernshave oftenbeendismissedor ignored. Theintroduction ofCultural Protocols Since colonisation,AboriginalandTorres Strait Islander peoplehave bornethebrunt ofextreme prejudice, discriminationand protocols are acknowledgedandrespected. Islander cultures andhistories. Protocols peoplewithincommunities. communitiesandbetween inevitably vary between It isimportantthat Cultural Protocols are appropriate ways ofbehaving,communicating andshowingrespect ofAboriginalandTorres forthediversity Strait 2 contact theOffice ofAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LeadershipandStrategy (OATSILS). If employees are unsure oftheprotocols usedbylocalIndigenous Nations, theyshouldseekadvicefrom representatives ofthatNation or are thesameinother Nations. You canfindmore informationonthedifferent Nationshere: Map ofIndigenous Australia. Within Australia, there are over 500nationswiththeirownlanguageandculture. It shouldnotbepresumed thattheprotocols inoneNation 1.2 Torres Strait Islander. There are manypeopleofbothAboriginalandTorres Strait Islander descent,andtheymayidentifyasanAboriginal inhabitant oftheislands. Thisdefinitionapplies regardless ofwhethertheylive ontheislandsormainland. A Torres Strait Islander personisusuallydefinedasadescendantoftheoriginalinhabitants Torres Strait Islands, oratraditional community. It istheirrelationships withtheirgrandparents, parents, brothers andsisters, unclesandaunties, cousinsandElders. with theway liesintheidentificationofanAboriginalperson’s theythink,workandspeak.Aboriginality relationships withtheir family and liesinthemeaningfulwayAboriginality inwhichAboriginalpeopleinteract withtheirpeopleandfeelingsabouthome, An AboriginalorTorres Strait Islander person’s identity, culture andlanguagecomefrom theirfamily andtheirrelationship withtheland. 1.1 Aboriginal andTorres Strait Islander peoplesandtheirculture. By incorporating cultural protocols intheway, dobusinesscanpromote respectful we, relationships with University ofCanberra (UC) in particular theNgunnawal peoples. meaningful way inallUniversity businessandevents. There are various ways torecognise AboriginalandTorres Strait Islander peoples, This guidealsoprovides informationontheappropriate ways torecognise andacknowledgeNgunnawal peoplesinaconsistentand and/ orTraditional Owners ofthelandandengagewithAboriginalTorres Strait Islander peoplesandtheirculture. the cultural protocols toassistemployees toappropriately acknowledgeAboriginalandTorres Strait Islander peoplesasTraditional Custodians University ofCanberra’s AboriginalandTorres Strait Islander Peoples Cultural Protocols Guideprovides ofsome ashortsummary 1 Overview do we need them? What are Cultural Protocols andwhy Nations andLanguageGroups Aboriginal andTorres Strait Islander Identity UNIVERSITY OF CANBERRA 3 Credit: Visit Canberra Visit Credit: 4 CULTURAL PROTOCOLS GUIDE 3. 2. 1. events andofficialfunctions. The practice shows respectforthe Traditional Custodiansofthe regionor area. Welcome toCountry andAcknowledgement ofCountry are protocols usedinAustralia attheopeningofmeetings, launches, special 3 Elders who give aWelcome toCountry shouldbe compensated fortheirexpertiseand time. Aboriginal andTorres Strait Islander knowledgeiscomplex,specialisedandownedbyAboriginal andTorres Strait Islander peoples. Payment offees contact detailslistedonthiswebsite: How toorganise aWelcome toCountry. Information aboutengagingNgunnawal Elders canbefoundontheACT Government website. You willalso findour Elder-in-Residence’s ongoing relationship withtheCouncil through ourElder-in-Residence. The University of Canberra recognises theimportantrole oftheUnited Ngunnawal Elders Council (UNEC Arranging aWelcome toCountry of theNgunnawal land. A Welcome toCountry isalways given byaNgunnawal Elder whoisrecognised asaTraditional assuchbythelocalcommunity Custodian • • • • are present. Examples ofwhenaWelcome include: toCountryisobserved A Welcome toCountry shouldbeperformedatallmajorUniversity events where there isasignificantpublicpresence orwhere dignitaries and when thatpermissionwas granted thehostinggroup wouldwelcome thevisitors, offeringthemsafe passage. from thatofother groups. Crossing intoanothergroup’s Countryrequired arequest forpermissiontoenter—like gainingavisa— Despite theabsenceoffencesorvisibleborders, AboriginalandTorres Strait Islander groups hadclearboundariesseparating theirCountry way that theUniversity canshowrespect fortheNgunnawal peoples. Thismaybedonethrough speech,song,danceorceremony. A Welcome toCountry isanofficialwelcomebyaseniorAboriginalor Torres Strait Islandercustodianor Eldertotheirlandsandisa is required. Country. A remuneration forthemember oftheTraditional Ownersgroup whoundertakesfortheUniversity thisimportantservice For example, iftheevent isbeingheldinCanberra thentheorganisers shouldcontactaNgunnawal Elder toprovide aWelcome to other matters. of theCountry onwhichtheevent isbeingheld.AWelcome toCountry isperformedatthecommencementofevent priortoall A Welcome toCountry isanofficialceremony performedbyanAboriginaland/or Torres Strait Islanderperson andwhoisacustodian 3.1 and staff. the landandtheirculture, aswellrecognising otherAboriginalandTorres Strait Islander peoplesattheUniversity, bothstudents theseprotocolsBy observing staffandstudentsdemonstrate respect forthe Ngunnawal peoplesandtheircontinuingconnectionto Custodians ofthislandatevents beingheldattheUniversity. believes thatitisimportantstaffandstudents recognise theimportanceacknowledging Ngunnawal peoplesasthe Traditional UC acknowledgestheNgunnawal peoples astheTraditional Custodians ofthelanduponwhichUniversity’s maincampussitsand Reconciliation Action Planisastrategy thatisownedbyeveryone intheUniversity. and communities thatisfoundedonrespect fortheircultures, knowledgeandbeliefs. TheUniversity alsorecognises thatthe University’s core teachingandresearch activitiesthrough meaningfulrelationships withAboriginalandTorres Strait Islander peoples The University ofCanberra’s Reconciliation Action Plan2021–2024 identifiesopportunitiestoadvance reconciliation as part ofthe high profile publiclectures. graduation ceremonies; and opening ofsignificantevents; opening ofnewbuildings; Acknowledgement of Country Welcome toCountry and Guidelines onWelcome toCountry ) andiscommittedtoan UNIVERSITY OF CANBERRA 5 life of Canberra and the region. contribution they make to the The University of Canberra acknowledges the Ngunnawal people, of Canberra acknowledges the The University We wish to acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and We wish to acknowledge and where Bruce Campus is situated. the lands where Bruce Campus Traditional Custodians of We also acknowledge all other First Nations Peoples on whose land we gather. We also acknowledge all other Guidelines on Acknowledgement of Country on Acknowledgement Guidelines I would like to acknowledge the Ngunnawal people who are the Traditional Custodians of this land on which we are meeting and pay meeting and pay of this land on which we are Custodians the Traditional people who are to acknowledge the Ngunnawal I would like Islander Strait to all Aboriginal and Torres I extend this respect and present. both past Nation of the Ngunnawal to the Elders respect peoples in attendance today. Owners of the land on which we to the Traditional respect to acknowledge and pay I would like we begin the proceedings, Before our own knowledge, is built. As we share of Canberra lands that the University is upon their ancestral It peoples. meet — the Ngunnawal of the to the knowledge and traditions respect may we also pay within this University practices teaching, learning, and research peoples. Ngunnawal Ngunnawal to acknowledge the I would like locations however a number of different is situated over of Canberra The University to the my respect to pay of the land on which the main campus is situated. I would also like Custodians peoples as the Traditional to I would also like lands. to their ancestral and to their continuing relation and present of that land both past Elders Ngunnawal to their my respect meeting today and pay local Aboriginal people] on whose land that we are name of acknowledge the [insert and present. past Elders both significant meetings such as Committees, Boards, Portfolio, Faculty Group; and Senior Portfolio, Boards, Committees, significant meetings such as teaching period; of any given at the commencement of the first lecture significant orientation events; ceremonies; graduation and significant student events; of the meeting convener. at the discretion any meetings within the University b c a. Examples of Acknowledgement of Country of Acknowledgement Examples Events where it is appropriate for an Acknowledgement of Country to be given include: to be given of Country for an Acknowledgement it is appropriate where Events • • • • • • meetings and included as an agenda item. in the minutes of such would normally be captured of Country Acknowledgement An Acknowledgement of Country is a demonstration of respect and appreciation of the Ngunnawal peoples’ protocols and traditions by and traditions peoples’ protocols of the Ngunnawal and appreciation of respect is a demonstration of Country An Acknowledgement of Custodians peoples as the Traditional of the Ngunnawal acknowledgement can be performed by any person and is a respectful UC. It it can be performed by a non‑Indigenous Country, to a Welcome is situated. Unlike the land on which the main campus of the University person. The following is considered appropriate wording for an Acknowledgement of Country at a UC event or meeting held in Canberra: of Country at a UC event for an Acknowledgement wording appropriate The following is considered An Acknowledgement of Country is used at formal functions, committee meetings, lectures, seminars, forums, workshops etc. where there there workshops etc. where forums, seminars, lectures, committee meetings, at formal functions, is used of Country An Acknowledgement may or MC the first speaker On such occasions, activities. video and/or telephone conference This includes is a gathering of participants. held in the a public lecture example, For Owners. on the lands of the Traditional is taking place that the event begin by acknowledging people. the Ngunnawal is being held on the lands of that the lecture Bruce campus would acknowledge An Acknowledgement of Country is a means by which all people can show respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, peoples, Islander Strait and Torres for Aboriginal can show respect by which all people is a means of Country An Acknowledgement land and sea. with the and relationship and the ongoing connection heritages cultures and 3.2 6 CULTURAL PROTOCOLS GUIDE 5 permission forsomeonetoperformthisceremony istheUNEC. a personwhohasbeengranted todosobytheNgunnawal theauthority peoples. It isadvisedthatthemostappropriate group togrant Smoking ceremonies have traditionally beenusedtocleanseaspace. Within environment theuniversity theyshouldonlybeperformedby 4.1 Welcome toCountry orAcknowledgement ofCountry atthecommencement ofevents priortoallothermatters. The University acknowledgesandimplementscultural protocols asethicalprinciplesthatguideourconduct,includingperforminga In thespiritofReconciliation asakey underpinningvalue, UCsupportsandencourages staffandstudentsinpromoting Reconciliation. 4 rather thanAboriginalandTorres Strait Islander peoples, thentheterm‘Indigenous Australian(s)’ shouldbeused. Aboriginal andTorres Strait Islander peopleslived onthiscontinentpriortoEuropean arrival. If itisessentialtorefer toIndigenous peoples people orFirst Australians are collective namesfor the originalpeopleofAustralia andtheirdescendantsare usedtoemphasisethat ‘Aboriginal andTorres Strait Islander peoples’isthepreferred termwhenreferring cultural tothetwo groups together. First Nations, first that ofAboriginal peoples. andPapua New Guinea.Torres Strait Islander peopleshave a linguisticandculturalwhichissignificantlydifferent identity to Island andGroote Eylandt. Theterm‘Torres Strait Islander peoples’refers totheoriginalinhabitants oftheTorres Strait Islands, between The term‘Aboriginal peoples’refers totheoriginalinhabitantsofmainlandAustralia, andotherislandssuchasStradbroke 7 Reform Commission. Torres Strait Islander in whichtheylive. andisacceptedassuchbythecommunity More informationcanbefoundhere: Australian An AboriginalorTorres Strait Islander isapersonofAboriginalorTorres Strait Islander descentwhoidentifiesasanAboriginalor 6 Welcome toCountry orparticipate inaUniversity occasion. UNEC, staffare encouraged toliaisedirectly withUC’s Elder-in-Residence orUNEC whenorganising aNgunnawal Elder toperforma In theinterests ofdeveloping relationships withthelocalAboriginalandTorres Strait Islander andestablishingconnectionswith community workshops, events, regular monitoringofindividualstudentacademicprogress andincreasing theCentre’s positive publicprofile. students, whichisachieved through numerous academicandpastoral care initiatives, suchasscholarships, one-on-onetuition,studyskills Torres Strait Islander communities. TheNgunnawal Centre focusesonincreasing thesuccessrate ofAboriginalandTorres Strait Islander by working withFaculties andcentral areas oncampustoformandachieve relevant plansandtargets, andbyengagingwithAboriginal The Ngunnawal Centre plays acrucialrole insupportingAboriginalandTorres Strait Islander studentsbothdirectly andindirectly, interactionspositive community withIndigenous communities, equalopportunitiesandsuccessfulcareers. The Office ofthe PVCI provides strategic leadership, supportandassistsUCtocontinuebuildingstrong external and facingnetworks Ngunnawal Centre are available toprovide adviceandassistanceatalltimes. The OATSILS focalpoints;theOffice hastwo ofthe Pro Vice-Chancellor, Indigenous(PVCI), andthe Ngunnawal Centre. The PVCI and Islander Leadership andStrategy Office ofAboriginaland Torres Strait Ceremonies Guidelines onTerminology andAcronyms Legal definitions Smoking Ceremonies UNIVERSITY OF CANBERRA 7 8 CULTURAL PROTOCOLS GUIDE following European settlementinAustralia. peoples have strong mixed emotionsaboutthedayduetochangesandchallengesthathave affectedtheircultures and way oflife This dayholdsdifferent meaningsformanyAboriginaland Torres Strait Islander peoples. Many Aboriginaland Torres Strait Islander 26th ofJanuary Examples include: UC staffare reminded thatcertainevents andcircumstances maybesensitive toAboriginaland Torres Strait Islander peoples. 8 Islander peoplesandimpliesonedistinctgroup. people findthisdisrespectful duetotheusageby past governments andhowit reduces thecultural ofAboriginaland diversity Torres Strait Using theacronym ‘ATSI’ shouldbeavoided atalltimes, bothinthewrittenandspoken form.Many AboriginalandTorres Strait Islander regarded asbeingracist, offensive andbelittling,a andnationality.way ofnegatingidentity The firstlettersofAboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Indigenous are always capitalisedastheyare proper nouns. Not doingthiscanbe or cultural separation from land, language, orknowledge. a widespread andongoingimpact. Theseimpacts canbemore significantbecauseofthelong-termeffects ofthestolengenerations, and, because AboriginalandTorres Strait Islander communitiesare highlyintegrated, bereavement andtraumatic events often have do sofrequently throughout theirlifetimes. Theselossesare alsolikely tooccurinthecontextoftraumatic oruntimelycircumstances severely affectsallpeople, manyAboriginaland Torres Strait Islander peopleexperiencethelossofloved onesatanearlyageandmay In manycommunities, there is anexpectationthatfunerals involve the wholecommunity, notjusttheimmediatefamily. Whilstdeath other cultural events, activitiesorceremonies. Businesscanbedictatedbyaperson’s TheextentofSorry statuswithinthecommunity. BusinessrefersSorry tocultural practices andprotocols associatedwithdeath.It ofteninvolves responsibilities andparticipation in Business Sorry Aboriginal andTorres Strait Islander protocols andberespectful totheNation orlanguagegroups aboutwhichtheyare learning. Non‑Indigenous employees are encouraged tolearnandembrace Indigenous cultures; however, theyshouldalways bemindfulof Strait Islander arts, danceandmusicshouldbesourced directly from Indigenous providers whoare supportedbytheircommunity. Culture ishighlyvalued byAboriginalandTorres Strait Islander peoplesandshouldberespected atalltimes. AboriginalandTorres Appropriation ofCulture Aboriginal andTorres Strait Islander peoplewhoare deceased.Thedisclaimershouldbewritten ordisplayed asfollows: It isimportantto always includeadisclaimerwhencreating and/orusingphotographs, videosandothermaterials/resources thathave It was traditionally believed thatsayingadeceasedperson’s namewouldrecall ordisturbtheirspirit. In someAboriginalandTorres Strait Islander cultures, itisinappropriate tomentionthenameoruseanimageofadeceasedperson. Deceased persons contain images of deceased this [resourcename](film, websiteorslideshowetc)may containimagesofdeceased Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned photographs/videos on Aboriginal andTorresStraitIslanderviewers arewarnedphotographs/videos on Sensitivities persons whichmaycausesadnessor distress. 9 Traditional Owners and Traditional Custodians

The University of Canberra’s Bruce campus is situated on the land of the Ngunnawal people, who are the Traditional Owners/ Traditional Custodians of the land.

UNEC is a significant Aboriginal body providing advice to the ACT Government in relation to heritage and connection to land matters for the Ngunnawal people. UNEC also provides advice to the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body in accordance with section 9 of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body (ATSIEB) Act 2008.

UNEC is made up of representatives nominated by each of the Ngunnawal family groups. The Council meets up to four times a year in Canberra at various locations, including community-based organisations.

More information can be found here: UNEC

10 Reconciliation Action Plan

The Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) demonstrates our strong commitment to reconciliation. In the University of Canberra’s current Stretch RAP 2021–2024, we have built on what we have learned and introduced new initiatives to improve futures for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, now and for generations to come.

There are five key focus areas: Relationships, Respect, Opportunities, Education and Research, and Governance.

For more information please refer to the current UC’s Reconciliation Action Plan 2021–2024. UNIVERSITY OF CANBERRA

9 10 CULTURAL PROTOCOLS GUIDE 11 Sunday inJuly Commences 1st 1 July 3 Jun or after 27May On theMonday of May- June 27 May 26 May 17 March 13 February date Significant Dates (NAIDOC) Week(NAIDOC) Day Observance Committee National AboriginesandIslanders The Coming oftheLightFestival Mabo Day Reconciliation Day (ACT) National Reconciliation Week (NRW) 1967 Referendum National Day Sorry National ClosetheGapDay National ApologyDay title details Aborigines andIslanders Day Observance Committee. & Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC standsforNational Celebrates thehistory, cultures andachievements of Aboriginal firstarrived in Society Missionary Torres Strait. Torres Strait Islander peopleasitmarksthedayLondon Coming oftheLight–Thisdayisparticular significancefor ‘native title’ didexist. the beginningofcolonisation,andbrought downitsdecisionthat characterised Australian lawwithregards tolandandtitlesince fiction ofterra nullius(land belongingtono-one)whichhad Commemorates thedayHigh Court overturned thelegal to achievingreconciliation inAustralia. culture, andachancetoexplore howeachoneofuscancontribute Celebrate andlearnaboutAboriginalTorres Strait Islander Islander people. disadvantage experienced bymanyAboriginalandTorres Strait conversation andtothinkabouthowturnaround the Australians. It isanidealtimeforpeopletojoininthereconciliation Each year NRW celebrates therichculture ofthefirst andhistory education andsocialsecurity. national censusandcouldaccessfederally suchas fundedservices and Torres Strait Islander peopleswere nowincludedinthe would nowbesubjecttofederal . ThismeantthatAboriginal constitution sothatAboriginalandTorres Strait Islander peoples 90% oftheAustralian population voted infavour ofamendingthe removed from theirfamilies andcommunities. Aboriginal andTorres Strait Islander peoplewhowere forcibly their families andcommunities. StolenGenerations refer to and share thestepstowards healingfortheStolenGenerations, . It gives peoplethechancetocometogether Commemorated eachyear National Day Sorry acknowledgesthe awareness ofAboriginalandTorres Strait Islander healthcrisis. Torres Strait Islander peoplesandotherAustralians. It aimstoraise closing the17-year Aboriginaland lifeexpectancygapbetween toshowtheirsupportfor The daygives peopletheopportunity the future. together ineffortsto overcome injustices ofthe past andlookto the National Apologyisareminder ofhow ournationcancome and hurtcausedbypast Government policies. of Theanniversary peoples oftheStolenGenerations andtheirfamilies fortheimpact the Australian Parliament toAboriginalandTorres Strait Islander The 13thFebruary oftheformalapologyby 2008istheanniversary UNIVERSITY OF CANBERRA 11 Is about supporting and celebrating the services that empower and celebrating about supporting Is crucial for These services are big futures. to have children has a year Each children. Islander Strait Aboriginal and Torres concern or to highlight a significant issue, Day theme for Children's children. Islander Strait Torres hope for Aboriginal and million of the needs of the estimated 370 awareness Raises world and the need for special measures indigenous people in the and way their distinct cultures their rights and maintain to protect of life. language stories, culture, of Indigenous a national celebration Is attention is focused on day, activities on the Through and literacy. rest communities and the experienced in remote the disadvantages for more funds and advocate to raise is encouraged of Australia communities. for remote resources equal access to literacy National Aboriginal and Islander and Islander Aboriginal National Day Children’s of the World’s Day International People Indigenous Day Literacy Indigenous

Helpful links Helpful Where can I go for more support? I go for more can Where

UC’s Stretch RAP (2021-2024) Stretch UC’s Plan (17-21) Strategic UC Indigenous UC Portal OATSILS the Curriculum Indigenising Australia Reconciliation UNEC Studies Islander Strait of Aboriginal and Torres Institute Australian Elder-in-Residence UC’s Email Network Staff Indigenous Email Alumni Chapter Indigenous Email 9 August 1st Wednesday in September 4 August • • • • • • To learn more about UC’s reconciliation and other relevant information, please visit the following links: information, please visit the following links: and other relevant reconciliation about UC’s learn more To • 13 • • Within UC there are a number of dedicated employees that work specifically to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples Islander Strait Torres and that work specifically to support Aboriginal a number of dedicated employees are UC there Within you via happy to assist are OATSILS The staff. and non-Indigenous guidance and advice to Indigenous cultural and provide and programs and also the following stakeholders: [email protected] • 12 12 CULTURAL PROTOCOLS GUIDE The information inthisdocument is onlyto beused asaguide. #UniCBR torres-strait-islander-leadership-and-strategy/reconciliation www.canberra.edu.au/about-uc/office-of-aboriginal-and- [email protected]

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