Report

First Nations Community Consultation Report 2019

By Laura McBride First Nations Curator Mariko Smith First Nations Assistant Curator Contents

2 Overview 2 Curatorial Team The Australian 3 Background 3 Acknowledgements respects and acknowledges 3 Director’s Statement 4 First Nations Community Consultation the Gadigal people of the 5 Methodology 5 ‘Have your say!’ Campaign 6 Distribution Nation as the First 7 Results 7 Question 1 Peoples and Traditional 8 Question 2 10 Nations Map 12 Question 3 Custodians of the land 14 Question 4 16 Question 5 18 Question 6 and waterways on which 22 Question 7 24 Critical Summary the Museum stands. 25 Conclusion 26 Appendices We acknowledge Elders past and present. Overview

The 2020 Project is a First Nations-led response to the upcoming 250th anniversary in Background 2020 of ’s voyage on the HMB Endeavour along ’s eastern coastline during 1770. The project will result in an exhibition and associated programming that will In May 2018, the AM appointed Laura McBride in the role of First Nations Curator (as part of the Museum’s Aboriginal take place at the Australian Museum (AM and the Museum) in the second half of 2020. and Torres Strait Islander Collection team).1 The First Nations Curator is to deliver a special exhibition addressing the This report provides an overview of The 2020 Project and the First Nations community impact of Cook’s arrival on the eastern coast in 1770, and consultation undertaken to determine the objectives and themes of the project. his ongoing colonial legacy on First Nations peoples and their communities (current working title is The 2020 Project).

From June to November 2018, the First Nations Curator Curatorial Team planned and conducted community consultation with Director’s Statement Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, initially in In 2020, Australia will mark the 250th anniversary (NSW) communities. In September 2018, of first contact with the British on the east coast the AM appointed Mariko Smith in the part-time role of First of Australia by James Cook. Historically, Aboriginal Nations Assistant Curator. Together, Laura and Mariko make voices and perspectives on these events and their up The 2020 Project Curatorial Team. consequences have been largely ignored. The exhibition is the centrepiece of The 2020 Project, Given this skewed view of history, the AM is providing and is due to show in the second half of 2020 at the a platform for First Nations communities to respond Australian Museum. to the events of 1770 and ongoing consequences through The 2020 Project.

Acknowledgments To understand what topics and stories Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities would like to have The 2020 Project Curatorial Team would told through The 2020 Project, community consultation like to thank: was undertaken in 2018. Laura McBride Mariko Smith – All of the First Nations peoples and communities I welcome the results of the First Nations community Laura is a Wailwan woman and Mariko Smith is a woman and who contributed their knowledge and feedback to The 2020 Project; consultation, and sincerely thank the Aboriginal and First Nations Curator in the Exhibitions, First Nations Assistant Curator in Torres Strait Islander respondents for giving the Engagement and Cultural Connection the EECC branch of the AM. – The AM’s First Nations staff for their support, assistance Museum their feedback and insight. (EECC) branch of the AM. in consultation, and preparing material to present on Mariko focuses on Indigenous community-based cultural The 2020 Project: Sharni Jones, Nathan Sentance, Kim McKay AO, Director & CEO Laura’s curatorial approach centers First Nations resurgence initiatives and incorporating Indigenous ways Courtney Marsh, and Sara Khan; and voices and interpretation of objects and histories so of knowing into curatorial and artistic practices. – Anna Forster, Katelyn Matthews, and Tony Power that communities represent themselves and their Mariko’s academic and professional qualifications include for assisting The 2020 Project Curatorial Team in cultures within the Museum. a combined Bachelor degree in Arts and Laws (University of the review of the raw survey data for their analysis. Laura’s academic qualifications include a Bachelor of ) conferred in 2005 and 2007 respectively, Graduate We would like to acknowledge and pay our respects Arts (University of Sydney) conferred in 2008 (double Diploma of Legal Practice (College of Law) conferred in 2008, to the Old People – the Ancestors and Elders, past Major in Psychology and Australian Indigenous Studies), Master of Museum Studies (awarded with Merit: University and present – who guide us in their wisdom through and Master of Aboriginal Education (University of of Sydney) conferred in 2012, and Doctor of Philosophy from Country, culture, and community. Technology Sydney) conferred in 2012. the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at the University of Sydney (completed in December 2018 and degree to be conferred in June 2019). Her PhD thesis focused on the cultural resurgence of Aboriginal tied-bark canoe making in south- eastern Aboriginal communities, with the topic

inspired by a museum’s conference event. She is also a 1 Australian Museum (2018). Annual Report 2017-18 (Sydney: Australian Museum Wingara Mura Fellow and Associate Lecturer at Sydney Trust), p. 43: https://australianmuseum.net.au/uploads/documents/39225/ College of the Arts, the University of Sydney. australian-museum-annual-report_2017-18.pdf (accessed 03/12/2018).

2 AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM The 2020 Project: First Nations Community Consultation Report 2019 3 Methodology

The 2020 Project’s exhibition has the capacity Question 1 for profound change in how museum audiences Respondents were asked to identify whether they are learn about First Nations lived experiences. Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, or both Aboriginal First Nations and Torres Strait Islander or neither. The Curatorial Team’s overarching community consultation strategy was to prioritise First Question 2 Nations peoples’ involvement in the Respondents were asked to identify their Nation, Community exhibition development. language or cultural group or community (singular or plural, as relevant). The primary aims of this strategy were to: – inform First Nations communities across Question 3 Australia about The 2020 Project at the AM; Respondents were asked to specify their residential Consultation – understand their views on the 1770 events postcode so the Curatorial Team can ascertain the and their subsequent consequences; and geographical reach of the survey. – ask them directly what they want (and do not want) to see in an exhibition responding to the 1770 events. Question 4 Respondents were asked what words and thoughts come ‘Have your say!’ Campaign to mind when they think about the Australian Museum. The 2020 Project’s community-centred ‘Have your say!’ Question 5 campaign involved a voluntary, short, seven-question survey to gather the feedback and opinions of Aboriginal and Torres Respondents were asked what words and thoughts come to mind when they hear or see the name Captain James Cook. Strait Islander peoples to help further develop The 2020 Project brief and provide direction for exhibition content. Question 6 The survey responses will especially assist The 2020 Project Curatorial Team in deciding the exhibition themes, Respondents were asked what topics or issues they would messages, interpretive strategies, ideas for object selection like the AM to address in this exhibition that responds to or commissioned works, facilitating evaluation and feedback the anniversary of 1770. to communities. Question 7 The survey also collected relevant information and feedback on the AM. This will inform the AM’s First Nations-related Respondents were asked what is something that they strategies for improving practices regarding First Nations would not want to see in this exhibition that responds cultural collections and interpretation within the Museum. to the anniversary of 1770 and why. The ‘Have your say!’ survey consisted of the following questions which had been designed to be answered anonymously.

5

Results

Distribution Question 1 805 The 2020 Project Curatorial Team aimed to capture meaningful information across a large representative Are you Aboriginal &/or First Nations sample size. The survey was directly distributed to First Nations communities in the following manner: Torres Strait Islander? persons – In-person, with hard-copies of the survey filled out responded by the facilitating First Nations team member or First ‘The 2020 Project Nations respondents themselves during conversations, to the survey face-to-face interviews, and participation in focus Curatorial Team groups; and % aimed to capture – Electronically, with the First Nations respondent clicking 94.5% 3.9 on a link which was emailed or forwarded to them, taking ABORIGINAL BOTH ABORIGINAL meaningful them to The 2020 Project’s SurveyMonkey™ digital portal, AND TORRES STRAIT or via the SurveyMonkey link posted on the ‘Indigenous ISLANDER information Australian Culture’ Facebook™ page during the last week across a large of the consultation campaign. % Given the tight timeframe set for developing The 2020 1.6 representative Project and limitations in resourcing, the First Nations TORRES STRAIT Curator and First Nations Assistant Curator initially relied ISLANDER sample size.’ upon their networks of personal and professional contacts in First Nations communities. Emails were sent to a large number of these contacts, as well as to each Local Aboriginal Land Council in NSW and several First Nations As far as The 2020 Project Curatorial service organisations and representative bodies. Team is aware, at least two of these 13 739 responses came from persons 60 Consultation was open to all First Nations communities in persons identified persons identified respondents stated that who appear to have deceptively Australia, but targeted consultation by The 2020 Project as being Aboriginal as being Torres they are neither Aboriginal presented themselves as Aboriginal, Curatorial Team took place in NSW as it was impacted early Strait Islander nor Torres Strait Islander by the British and was typically under-represented in the based on assessment of their Museum’s past. responses to other questions in (for the avoidance of doubt, the survey. Therefore, the more this number does NOT include Invitations to participate in The 2020 Project community accurate figure for respondents consultation process (summarised in the AM Director’s the 13 Aboriginal ‘Neither’ specifically identifying as Aboriginal 31 respondents noted previously). ‘Have your say!’ accompanying letter) were issued verbally is revised to 737. persons identified and via electronic media, namely email and the brief period as being both Under Question 2, 44 of these on Facebook™. The 2020 Project Curatorial Team took Aboriginal and respondents specified their individual up available opportunities to promote The 2020 Project However, regarding Question 1, 13 Torres Strait non-Indigenous cultural heritage, community consultation, attending Indigenous events such 24 of these respondents preferred Islander and a further 16 declined to furnish as community lunch at Redfern Community Centre, NAIDOC to instead indicate that they were information of their individual persons identified in Hyde Park, and the 2018 Knockout in Dubbo. ‘Neither’ Aboriginal or Torres Strait Therefore, cultural heritage so they are not as being from one Interviews and focus groups were arranged upon request, Islander persons rather than identify 761 + 13 + 31 = 805 considered in the survey results to or more specific following the obtaining of necessary cultural permissions. under the term of ‘Aboriginal’ and the respondents in be First Nations persons. This figure Aboriginal cultural, The First Nations Curator travelled to the North Coast, other 11 skipped this identification total can be of 60 non- Indigenous respondents is language and/or South Coast, and inland western regions of NSW to consult question altogether. Therefore, counted as First interesting, considering the fact that community groups with communities and individuals. The First Nations regarding the total number of Nations persons. the survey very explicitly stated that it subsequently in Assistant Curator travelled to Western Sydney, South Aboriginal persons responding to the Five people skipped was intended only for Aboriginal and/ Question Two. Sydney, and the Wollongong areas. In total, 12 focus groups survey, this figure of 24 can be added this question. or Torres Strait Islander persons to of eight or more people were conducted alongside smaller to the above 737 for a further revised have their say. groups and individual interviews. total of 761 Aboriginal respondents.

6 AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM The 2020 Project: First Nations Community Consultation Report 2019 7

Question 2 What is your Nation, language group or community?

The 2020 Project Curatorial Gurindji 2 Minyunbal 1 3 Team asked this question to 53 15 Guringai 2 2 Wakaid 1 1 Moa Island 1 15 ensure that they received participants identified 27 people identified with a regional Monaro Walbanja 1 communities. The greatest being: term of identity as follows: 2 feedback and opinions from I Mudburra 1 Wamba Wamba 2 a range of different First – Western Sydney (10 respondents); – Noongar (12 respondents); Iman 1 Murramurang 1 Wanaruah 1 Nations cultural, language, – La Perouse (6 respondents); – Murri (2 respondents); and Inggarda 1 Murrawarri 6 Wandanian 2 and community groups. – Wreck Bay (4 respondents); and – Goori (1 respondent). 1 Mutti Mutti 1 Wanggaybuwan 1 – Redfern (4 respondents). Iwaidja 1 Wangkumara 1 One respondent also identified The majority of respondents N Warramugu 2 Four of these identified communities their non-Indigenous heritage, identified a Nation, cultural, language J Naaguja Watjabulik 2 were islands in the Torres Strait. 10 of one respondent also identified their 2 group or clan as opposed to a Western Yulangi 1 these participants also identified a South-Sea Islander heritage, and five Jagera 3 1 community (region, suburb or town). Whadjuk 4 Nation, cultural, language group, or clan. respondents stated that they did not 2 Ngadjonji 1 There were 175 different Nations, Widjabul 1 know their specific Nation, cultural, 4 cultural, language groups, and clans K 1 language group, or clan. Ngarinyin 1 identified by the respondents. 113 of 115 Kaanju 2 6 respondents identified as belonging Wirangu 2 Kalari 1 7 to multiple Nations, groups, and clans. Wodi Wodi 1 Kalkadoon 7 Ngyiampaa 4 Wongibon 2 Kambuwul 1 Noongar 14 13 people skipped this question. 3 Kamilaroi 48 Nuenonne 2 Woolwonga 1 Kapalbarada 1 1 Woppaburra 1 Nyemba 2 7 Karingbal 1 7 A E Nywaigi 1 Bigimbal 1 1 Wurunjueri 2 Adnyamathana 2 Eora 5 Biripi 9 1 Wuthati 2 Alpurrurulam 1 Erub 2 P Birri Gubba 3 Kooma 4 Anaiwan 7 Palawa Boon Wurrung 1 Krautungalung 1 3 Y Arabana 2 G Palyku 1 Boorooberongal 3 Kudjala 1 Yaegal 4 Arakwal Bumberbin 1 Gadigal Plangermairreenner Budawang 2 4 1 1 Yamatji 5 Aranda 1 Budawang 1 Gagu Badhun 1 Kullili 1 Yarraman 1 Argan 1 Q Budjari 1 Gai-mariagal 1 Kunwinjku 1 Yawuru 1 Arrente 1 Budjiti 1 13 1 Quandamooka Nuugi 1 Yidinji 4 Arrentre (Eastern) 2 Bundjalung 54 Garawa 1 Yolngu 1 Aurukun L R 1 Bunitj 1 1 Yorta Yorta 3 7 2 Gomeroi 13 Lamalaig 1 1 Yugambeh 8 6 Larrakia B 1 Yuggera 1 D Gorenpil 1 T Yuin 50 Badu Island 1 Darbee 1 Gubbi Gubbi 7 M Thungutti / Dhungutti 33 7 Ballardong 1 1 Gudang 1 Island 1 Tiwi 1 Bangala 1 16 Gudjula 1 Malai Kiwai 4 Tudu 1 Banjima 1 1 Gulidjan 1 Malak Malak 1 Tumbah-gah 1 Banjin 1 Dharawal 25 Gumbayinggirr 29 Malmjali 1 Bardi 1 Dhurga 4 Gunditjmara 5 Malyingapa 1 W Bardi Jawi 1 Dieri 1 Gundungurra 4 Mardi 1 3 Barkinji 5 Dja Dja Wurrung 1 Gungalidda 1 Martu 2 Wadi Wadi 1 Barunggam 1 Djirringanj 1 Gungarri 1 Meriam Mer 5 Wadja 1 Bibbulmun 2 Djubugay 1 Gunggandji 1 Meru 1 Wailpi 1 Bidgigal 3 Djugun 1 Gunnai 2 Minjungbal 2 Wailwan 18

8 AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM The 2020 Project: First Nations Community Consultation Report 2019 9 MALAI KIWA

TUDU MABUIAG ISLAND ERUB BADU ISLAND LAMALAIG WAKAID MERIAM MER ARGAN MOA ISLAND GUDANG IWAIDJA INJINOO TIWI WUTHATI KUNWINJKU LARRAKIA BUNITJ YOLŊGU Nations Map AURUKUN WOOLWONGA MALAK MALAK KAANJU

NGARINYIN GARAWA KUKU YALANJI BARDI JAWI WESTERN YULANGI 176 DJUBUGAY MUDBURRA YIDINJI GUNGGANDJI different Nations, DJUGUN GURINDJI NGADJONJI YAWURU GUNGALIDDA GIRRAMAY BARDI WA ANYI BANJIN cultural, language NYWAIGI GAGU BADHUN groups, and clans WARRAMUGU GUDJULA KUDJALA identified by the KALKADOON BIRRI GUBBA ALPURRURULAM respondents

PALYKU BANJIMA KAPALBARADA ARRENTRE (EASTERN) WOPPABURRA MARTU DARUMBAL ARRENTE ARANDA WADJA GORENG GORENG INGGARDA KARINGBAL BIDJARA BUTCHULLA IMANWAKKA WAKKA

BARUNGGAM GUBBI GUBBI GUNGARRI YARRAMAN WAJARRI QUANDAMOOKA NUUGI YUGGERA WANGKUMARA GORENPIL JAGERA MALMJALI KULLILI KAMBUWUL MARDI DIERI KOOMA YUGAMBEH BUDJARI BIGIMBAL YAMATJI ARABANA BUDJITI MURRAWARRI ARAKWAL BUMBERBIN BUNDJALUNG MALYINGAPA BARKINJI YUWAALARAAY WIDJABUL MINJUNGBAL NYEMBA YAEGAL NAAGUJA WAILPI KAMILAROI ADNYAMATHANA GAMILARAAY GUMBAYINGGIRR KOKATHA KUYANI ANAIWAN THUNGUTTI BALLARDONG WANGGAYBUWAN GOMEROI BIRIPI MIRNING WONGIBONWAILWAN WHADJUK WILYAKALI WIRANGU TUMBAH-GAH WANARUAH NUKUNU WONNARUA WORIMI DARBEEAWABAKAL NOONGAR BANGALA KALARI DARKINJUNG DARUG GURINGAI GAI-MARIAGAL NGYIAMPAA EORA GADIGAL WIRADJURIGWEAGAL BIDGIGAL BIBBULMUN DHARAWAL NARUNGGA MUTTI MUTTI GUNDUNGURRA WODI WODI KAURNA DHURGA JERRINJA NGUNNAWAL BUDAWANG MERU WADI WADI WANDANIAN RAMINDJERI WAMBA WAMBA WALBANJA MURRAMURANG NGARRINDJERI YORTA YORTA MONAROYUIN WATJABULIK DJIRRINGANJ DJA DJA WURRUNG NGARIGO

GUNNAI WURUNJUERI KRAUTUNGALUNG GULIDJAN KEY GUNDITJMARA BOON WURRUNG 1-4 RESPONDENTS 5–9 RESPONDENTS 10–19 RESPONDENTS 20–49 RESPONDENTS 50+ RESPONDENTS Note: Mapping has been distorted by text sizing. PLANGERMAIRREENNER PAL AWA

10 AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM The 2020 Project: First Nations Community Consultation Report 2019 NUENONNE 11 Question 3 What is your postcode? Sydney region

The 2020 Project Curatorial Team asked this Although 44 respondents identified as Torres Strait question to ensure that they received feedback Islander, there were no responses from people in 608 residence there. Urban, regional and remote areas and opinions from a range of different First are accounted for in the respondent group, with the responses Nations persons from locations across Australia. vast majority of respondents living in urban areas. were received Every Australian State and major Territory Five respondents skipped this question. (i.e. Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory) from NSW. is represented within the respondent group, with The map below shows the distribution of postcodes across the vast majority of respondents living in NSW. Australia, and the total number of respondents from each state.

New South Wales map Byron Bay

10 NT 75 QLD Broken Hill 31 WA 27 SA Newcastle 608 Sydney NSW Wollongong

Canberra 18 28 ACT VIC Albury

3 TAS

12 AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM The 2020 Project: First Nations Community Consultation Report 2019 13 Question 4 What word(s) or thought(s) come to mind when you think about the Australian Museum?

The 2020 Project Curatorial This is valuable information for the The consultation data Team asked this question AM to consider in terms of evaluating past and present performance in % to understand First the area of First Nations audience illustrates a trend of changing Nations peoples' personal 32 engagement, and in prioritising the NEGATIVE % perceptions about the Museum reactions, opinions and needs and interests of First Nations 47 experiences with the AM. audiences in the present and future. NEUTRAL by First Nations respondents. Some respondents identified answers 28 people skipped this question. % that fit more than one category, 21 producing a total of 1030 answers POSITIVE from the 805 respondents to accurately reflect their views.

POSITIVE NEGATIVE NEUTRAL Snapshot of Question 4 responses

58 58 104 ‘Interesting place, that holds artifacts and ‘That a few years ago i was allowed to view the records both oral, written and photographic private Aboriginal Collection of the Museum pertaining to my people.’ and it meant more to me then you will ever know. I thought so much of my culture was lost, and yet in that room, I could clearly see that 'Fantastic. I bring my children there every it still exists. That would have been the most year as it is diverse in topics with many 5 12 memorable event of my life, except for the 3 physical examples.' birth of my sons’.

POSITIVE KEY WORDS NEGATIVE KEY WORDS NEUTRAL KEY WORDS 'History, dinosaurs, a museum that is trying 'It’s a good museum, but it’s still a museum. 58 Positive expression or experience 58 WHITE: non-Indigenous control 104 History, historical to break free from the dark history of And all the cultural theft/ issues/etc that 33 A work in progress and representation, THEIR history 75 No thoughts, not sure, not interested ethnography regarding Indigenous exhibits.' 27 Presence from Indigenous staff 53 Negative description or expression 57 Collection: eg. dinosaurs, animals, goes along with that.' 18 Great platform to advocate for eg. culturally unsafe, corrupt, insects, rocks, bones our people to share stories ignorant, disrespectful, patronising 50 Natural History Museum: collecting, ‘I always thought that it was a whitewashed 16 Opportunity to connect and learn 50 Not enough truth-telling, lack of storage, cultural heritage material, 'Traditional museum. Lack of Indigenous voice.' 14 Respectful, progressive, inclusive Aboriginal perspectives archives, artefacts, objects institution until I had the pleasure of seeing 13 Interesting and interested 45 Colonial, colonialism, genocide 47 Education, educational, knowledge the ‘GADI’ exhibition. I am aware that there 8 Mentions current Indigenous 39 Theft, thieves, invaders, stolen 30 First Nations history, keeping exhibitions and/or programs 22 Biased, incomplete history, selective place, holds objects, custodians are Aboriginal employees with strong, 'Structure of white privilege and palace of 7 Historically important 16 Calls for repatriation 26 Australian history staunch voices advocating for representation. stolen cultural heritage.' 7 Appreciation of its role, changed 15 Lies, false information 26 Descriptive response: eg. museum, from previous negative opinion 14 Doesn’t know AM but assumes it oldest, sandstone, building, tourist I am excited to see what will come next.’ 6 Good for kids and families justifies and maintains systems attraction or location 5 Community outreach and of colonialism 21 Exhibitions, public displays 'Not sure, don’t know much about it. engagement with communities 10 Sadness, grief, loss, unhappy, anger 14 Other 'Selective representation of true history.' Don’t get up to Sydney.' 5 Role in cultural revival 3 Other 13 Art, arts, art gallery 13 Culture 12 Doesn't know Museum's location, 'Sandstone box that holds our old 'Don’t know much about it, haven’t been incorrectly locates, describes it, refers to other institutions people, displaced.' to or even know where it’s located.'

Disclaimer: Responses have been compiled into common topics Disclaimer: Quotes have been reproduced verbatim.

14 AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM The 2020 Project: First Nations Community Consultation Report 2019 15 Question 5 ‘I remember learning in school that Captian Cook ‘discovered’ Australia? i remeber What word(s) or thought(s) come to mind when questioning this and telling the teacher that I was always told something very diffrent than you hear or see the name Captain James Cook? this at home and i remeber quietly being shut The consultation down and told it was a peaceful process that results indicated that everyone got along well and there was never some respondents any violence’ 87.7% NEGATIVE conflated Cook’s ‘I acknowledge his bravery and leadership 1770 voyage with the but am aware that he was the leader of a % genocidal colonizing force that bought great 12 Some respondents identified NEUTRAL arrival of the First trouble to this land. I am also aware that he answers that fit more than one category, producing a total of 1309 Fleet in 1788. was effectively the head warden of a prison answers from the 805 respondents complex that was directly related to class 0.3% to accurately reflect their views. bias. I see many early convicts as essentially POSITIVE Six people skipped this question. political prisoners.’

POSITIVE NEGATIVE NEUTRAL Snapshot of Question 5 responses ‘Explorer, humanist, product of the time, journalist, man of vision, negotiator – let’s 145 2 34 ‘Pirate. Thief. Murderer. Invader. Genocide. face it, if it wasn’t him, it would have been Though he is just one white man among many someone else or some other explorer from who ensured the dispossession of our people.’ another European country. His original intent was to observe the solar eclipse in Tahiti 1 ‘Racist murderer who set the bench mark for and explore other parts of the Pacific and convicts against my people. Massacre, slavery, ‘found’ Australia for the Western world, what 13 3 pain and suffering.’ happened after that was determined by the British Government/ Monarchy.’ POSITIVE KEY WORDS NEGATIVE KEY WORDS NEUTRAL KEY WORDS ‘Landgrabber!’ 2 Birth of great nation 145 Invasion, invader 34 Mixed emotions ‘He’s a criminal and a liar. To me, Captain 1 First settlement 143 Negative feelings, expressions 32 Description: Lieutenant, Captain, 1 Resilience 99 Murderer, killer, slaughter Admiral, conquer, military, botanist, Cook represents the quest of the British 1 Learned, moral 77 Liar, fraud, deception, con-man, following orders ‘Murderer, Racism, History, Stolen land.’ empire to spread across land. I’m reminded broke the King’s orders 29 Explorer, navigator 72 Thief, theft, pillaging, greed 17 Other of the egocentric worldview of white 58 Colonialism, oppression 16 History ‘Coloniser, Oppressor, White supremecy, people at this time and their mission to 53 Distorted, false Australian history, 8 Seafarer, pioneer destroy other cultures for the success of their myths, whitewash, ethnocentrism 6 Change Rape, pillage, murder. No respect’ 51 Holocaust, genocide 6 Mixed descriptors: blame, empire, lucky own. As an Indigenous person, I can only 43 Negative effects of colonisation, 4 Object description: Endeavour, ship associate the story of Cook with being the assimilation, disease, addiction 3 First contact, discovery ‘Criminal both to aboriginal people and to his beginning of colonisation and the violence 39 Rape, rapist king of England as he disobey his orders to 39 Land grabber and genocide that came with it.’ 38 Destruction, terrorism make friends with the natives and liar called 35 Other Australia unoccupied’ 32 Massacres, death 29 Whiteness, white, white privilege ‘As a descendant of the people that moved 29 Racist, racism, white supremacy throughout at the time of first ‘I feel that Captain Cook was a racist, bigoted, 26 False Terra Nullius, no man's land contact, it is a part of our history and one 24 War, criminal, convicts evil individual who completely dismissed 23 Insignificant, had enough attention that reflects the resilience of our people.’ 21 Negative personality descriptor the humanity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait 20 Ignorance, disrespectful Islander peoples. He was the root cause for Quotes have been 20 Taught lies - School Disclaimer: reproduced verbatim. Disclaimer: Responses have 20 Dispossession colonisation and genocidal practices.’ been compiled into common topics 13 Anti-monument and statue

16 AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM The 2020 Project: First Nations Community Consultation Report 2019 17 Question 6 What topic(s) or issue(s) would you like the Australian Museum to address in an exhibition that responds to the anniversary of the 1770 events?

Respondents gave multiple It was possible to ascertain two key % Other objectives identified 3. A false story: Contemporary answers regarding the objectives and four clear themes 40 in the consultation: effects and experiences that First Nations respondents want OF FIRST NATIONS objectives, themes, and addressed by The 2020 Project. This was 37 Being inclusive and balanced in representation 305 respondents (37.9%) RESPONDENTS WANT topics that they would determined by the number of responses 29 Advocating the spirit of repatriation, restitution, 97 Representation in the media, Australian education THE TRUE STORY like to see addressed received per topic, theme and objective. compensation system, the government does not teach the truth, OF COOK AND THE 21 Ensuring that First Nations peoples contribute lies, keeps us oppressed, makes them not proud in The 2020 Project. 328 Truth-telling about Australia’s FOUNDATION OF to, or participate in The 2020 Project through of us (12.04%) history – the true story AUSTRALIA TOLD Percentages given are the employment and partnerships 53 Nationalism: celebrating anniversaries, the flags, of Cook and the foundation 18 Treating First Nations peoples with sensitivity and respect why this is bad, it is a time of mourning (6.58%) number of respondents of Australia (40.74%); and % 43 Resilience and survival (5.34%) who identified a specific 140 Privileging First Nations voices From analysing the Question 6 data in detail, the following 43 Our heroes and leaders (5.34%) and perspectives (17.4%). 17 content topics for The 2020 Project have been identified topic or objective. Racism and discrimination have been enacted through OF FIRST NATIONS (ranked in order of importance, determined by the number 42 treatment and policies imposed on First Nations 18 people skipped this question. RESPONDENTS WANT of responses received per topic). TO PRIVILEGE FIRST peoples (ethnocentrism), racist legislation (5.21%) NATIONS VOICES 25 Treaty (3.10%) AND PERSPECTIVES 1. Colonisation and effects 21 Healing (2.60%) 479 respondents (59.52%) 4. Pre-Cook and the First Fleet 176 What happened, impacts, ongoing (21.86%) 124 Massacres, murders, killing (15.4%) 206 respondents (25.6%) 57 Dispossession: loss of culture, land, language 106 Our culture, laws, society, family, spiritual beliefs, 400 500 300 600 200 700 100 (ethnocide) (7.1%) knowledges, daily life, peaceful - colonization NUMBER OF RESPONDENTS 0 55 Assimilation, genocide (6.83%) disturbed the peace (13.2%) 47 Stolen Generations (5.84%) 70 Agriculture, aquaculture, astronomy, trade, 20 Ecological disaster and destruction of land (2.49%) economy (8.69%) KEY OBJECTIVES FOR THE 2020 PROJECT 30 Oldest living culture, we have always been here (3.73%) 2. Australia’s origins and foundation TRUTH-TELLING 328 453 respondents (56.27%) 5. Other 328 140 PRIVILEGING FIRST NATIONS VOICES 140 142 Wars, Indigenous resistance, First Nations 70 respondents (8.69%) sovereignty was never ceded (17.64%) 20 Cook is not a hero or saviour (2.48%) 78 Legal foundation: why colonization happened in 12 Cook (negative descriptor): he was disrespectful, TOPICS FOR THE 2020 PROJECT Australia, the chain of events, the legal doctrine/ ignorant, arrogant, disturbed the peace, was an fiction of Terra Nullius (9.68%) invader, evil (1.49%) 72 It was invasion, not settlement (8.94%) 12 Include a comprehensive timeline, recognizing 1. COLONISATION AND EFFECTS 479 176 124 57 55 47 % 59 33 No discovery (4.09%) significant events (1.49%) OF RESPONDENTS 32 James Cook’s life, details, truth from his records, 8 Other (0.99%) 2. AUSTRALIA'S ORIGINS WANT THE MUSEUM encounters, and how he treated us (3.97%) 6 Specific project suggestions (e.g. performances, 453 142 AND FOUNDATION TO ADDRESS 27 Sydney references (3.35%) image references, stories) (0.74%) COLONISATION 24 Cook disobeyed his orders, he lied, committed 5 Don’t know or left blank (0.62%) AND ITS EFFECTS immoral and illegal acts, for personal exploitation 4 No Cook or Cook-related things (0.49%) 3. A FALSE STORY 305 97 and wealth (2.98%) 3 Try for some positive approach (0.37%) 20 Truth of 1770 events and first experiences (2.48%) 12 First Nations peoples are not savages, and the 106 4. PRE-COOK AND FIRST FLEET 206 British are not superior or more advanced than First Nations peoples (1.49 %) 13 International visitors before Cook (1.61%) 5. OTHER 70 20 Disclaimer: Responses have been compiled into common topics

18 AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM The 2020 Project: First Nations Community Consultation Report 2019 19 Snapshot of Question 6 responses

‘The truth about what happened. ‘Indigenous sciences including agriculture, fire farming, environmental management. How the Not the fairytale story, Aboriginal environment was maintained by the peoples.’ people to tell the story. Didn’t welcome him with open arms.’ ‘Myths about discovery, educating the public, celebrating our connections to country and place, sharing our knowledge and connections to country to inform the wider community about our ancestors’ innovation and reilience.’

‘That every non indigenous persons living ‘Recognition! Push the idea of education and ‘The truth!! An exhibit showing an or visiting Australia is standing on proud ‘While we cannot go reconciliation. How to address ingrained Aboriginal perspective.’ aboriginal land and must learn or experience back and change the racism and underrepresentation. Addressing and acknowledge what captain cook and his history of the landing, the idea of ‘getting over it’ and that’s not men have done to our people.’ ‘The history and strength of Aboriginal being a possibility.’ people focusing on resilience.’ I believe we really do ‘Focus on First Nations views – which are need to start to show ‘True history, Frontier wars, profile key warriors, complex and diverse’. ‘Real resistance fighters stories and the the whole of Australia after invasion. The chain of events that led on ongoing impact colonisation has on from first contact in 1770: first, fleet, lack of .’ ‘Topics that bring to light the achievements and the world just treaty etc.’ prior to and since Cook’s arrival of our people how much influence in being the inheritors of the world’s oldest ‘Tell the truth about the history of Australia Aboriginal peoples and ‘To debunk the myth that Captain Cook living culture, navigators, farmers, inventors, since 1770 and onwards up until today … There discovered Australia. To show / uncover artists etc etc would put his achievements into cultures had on the is one history of Australia since that day and the way that Aboriginal country was entered a truer perspective. It would be interesting the truth needs to be told and understood Australian landscape disrespectfully. To give an example of what to also highlight that Cook’s arrival wasn’t before we will ever see reconciliation in this.’ coming into country respectfully could have the first or the last of non-Indigenous people and that of the fauna looked like. Want to see massacres of our in Australia.’ […] The broader non people addressed. Want to see healing of ‘Explanation of the massacres and disease the atrocities of the past.’ and devastation suffered because of the Aboriginal community arrival of Cook.’ needs to be made ‘The real story not the one we have been aware that a harmony taught in school and by the government, ‘Improve misunderstanding and the people’s story.’ miscommunication. We want people to be can be achieved by proud of our heritage and to understand utilising some of why Aboriginal people are upset.’ ‘Dont focus on cook, lets talk about us, its our our practices.’ land. Tell the truth what really happened to our people.’ ‘I don’t know. I am emotional now!’

‘How our mob over came captain cook.’ Disclaimer: Quotes have been reproduced verbatim.

20 AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM The 2020 Project: First Nations Community Consultation Report 2019 21 Question 7 Snapshot of Question 7 responses ‘colonisation, promoting Cook as the birthplace of a nation as this is false history.’ What is something you would NOT want to see in an ‘No Captain Cook .’ exhibition regarding Cook and the events of 1770? And why? ‘Honestly, I have zero respect for Cook. So I ‘Show all, no holding back on Cook he is part of personally would rather see nothing, in fact history. Cook is important.’ I dread the anniversary because all we will hear is the voices of white people and what a Some respondents identified answers that fit hero Cook is which makes me ill to the stomach. more than one category, producing a total of ‘Captain Cook. Arthur Phillip. Any of the others 1081 answers from the 805 respondents to I will be avoiding all celebrations that involve accurately reflect their views. ... Ships . They don’t teach us anything but they the invasion/oppression and transgenerational ‘Traumatise’ LOTS.’ trauma of my people.’ 43 respondents skipped this question.

‘The false history that the media, government ‘The exaggeration of Cook’s landing as being and schools try to say is true but is devisive peaceful and their encounters with the Aboriginal 212 to make Aboriginal people look bad […]’ peoples. Because it was biased and racial.’

‘Celebrating his ‘heroism’ because he is not a hero. No sense of celebration what so ever. 163 Because like I said before it is not a time of celebration it is a time of sadness, heartache 133 and mourning.’ ‘Huge memorials to Cook, we live ‘Use of images of First People’s without naming constantly reminded them, this dehumanises them and positions them as objects. Perpetuation of the hero of this ‘event’, we 63 narrative of the colonisers. Erasure of the don’t need to see 59 53 histories of First People’s - I’m tired of the 50 49 46 violence perpetuated against us within exhibits a concentration 36 32 29 26 which imply terranullius and the hunter of it. Enactments 20 19 15 14 5 gatherer lie. Or present our existence as only 13 12 11 11 8 2 of Cook’s landing; historical, not present day. Or only being arts and dance.’ it’s painful, like it’s 212 No praise, glorification, not a hero 20 No response or opinion happening all over 163 No false history (including current and past 19 Not just Cook ‘The continued ‘white-washing’ of history, and school curriculum on this topic), whitewash, 15 No depictments of white people unless done again. Glorification colonial fiction by First Nations people the celebration of invasion and colonisation.’ 133 No discovery, discovered 14 No graphic, unapproved, inaccurate or unnamed of colonisation […] 63 No celebrations, fanfare images or content (adding to trauma and which 59 No glorification of colonisation, massacres objectify) ‘Absolutely do not want to see Cook being British flags, guns, 53 No racist views, mainstream views, political propaganda 13 No (white) victory portrayed as a hero in any shape or form.... red & blue coats....’ 50 Nothing should be omitted, tell everything, the good, 12 No white involvement, control, employment Discovery is a lie, particularly when our people bad, ugly 11 No ships, First Fleet have been here for thousands of years. It is No Cook No bones of my people, dead First Nations people, 49 11 so disrespectful to Koori communities today 46 No peaceful arrival, welcome, friendly sacred content and artefacts, Secret knowledge relations, settlement 8 Other and our warriors who defended our lands. 36 No flag (English/Australian), altered flag, colonial 5 No use of word ‘invasion’, relating to Cook Do not want to see the Union Jack displayed, uniform, colonial artefacts 2 No absence of First Nations symbols, flags, colours as symbolism is everything and this flag does 32 No statues, monuments, re-enactments not represent the true sovereign peoples of 29 No depiction of native, primitive, sub-human Disclaimer: Responses have 26 No Terra Nullius, empty land, land not occupied been compiled into common topics this land. No statues or portraits of Cook.’ Disclaimer: Quotes have been reproduced verbatim.

22 AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM The 2020 Project: First Nations Community Consultation Report 2019 23 Critical Summary Conclusion

The survey responses will be used by In his general overview of Australia’s regional and state In the opinion of The 2020 Project Curatorial 6 The 2020 Project Curatorial Team to privilege , he states that: Team, the pervasive narrative of Cook being the First Nations perspectives and stories as ‘The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices of dissent ‘founding father’ of modern Australia through part of a positive vision which reframes the are not seen through black eyes but through the eyes of his ‘discovery’ of this continent appears to ethnocentric Anglo-Australian foundation the descendants of the invaders.’ be further reinforced through exhibitions narrative. The below critical summary Dr Bhathal goes on to say that museums ‘have to be places and programming which prominently focus on of issues is based on the survey results for social change’, and that:7 him and his achievements, regardless of the alongside secondary research carried ‘The voices of the Indigenous peoples need to be heard, degree in which other perspectives are also out by The 2020 Project Curatorial Team. interpreted and given centre stage in the history and presented. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture of the nation through their eyes. Their history The First Nations respondents critically engaged with ideas voices, perspectives, and accounts essentially has shaped the Australia we have today. They can no compete with those of Cook and his crew. around how a colonial institution such as the AM and the longer be relegated to second rate status or silenced.’ medium of a museum exhibition could be effective platforms As the First Nations community consultation data indicates, for change in challenging the national narrative structured This research backs up The 2020 Project Curatorial Team’s the role that Cook plays in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander around Cook, which had effectively displaced First Nations vision for The 2020 Project’s exhibition to prioritise First histories is very different and contrasts with how he features histories and disempowered First Nations peoples. Nations in responding to the 1770 events and the aftermath. in Anglo-Australian narratives. In light of debates around the Australian education system First Nations respondents voiced their strong desire As stated by Nugent in her 2009 book, Cook Was Here:10 being considered as ‘a tool of colonisation’ and the need for for truth- telling about Australia’s history and nationhood. spaces based on Indigenous ways of learning and perspectives,2 This trend is consistent with the topic of truth-telling ‘Aboriginal people use the character called Captain the AM, as an institution which similarly teaches knowledge and becoming high profile and of common usage in recent times, Cook to tell histories of their relations with white people, disseminates information, should reflect on how it can value for example, the identification of it as a priority for Australia to explain their plight under British colonization, to mark principles of Indigenous self-determination and act upon them in the Federal Government’s Joint Select Committee on time before and after the arrival of colonists and settlers, to balance how history is constructed in Australia. Constitutional Recognition relating to Aboriginal and Torres and to outline their vision of a future that restores their Strait Islander Peoples’ Interim and Final Reports.8 law and sovereignty, among other things.’ The consultation data illustrates a trend of changing perceptions about the Museum by First Nations respondents, These results correlate with ’s 2018 The arrival of Cook provides a focal point for the exploration acknowledging that the Museum is improving its practices national reconciliation barometer survey findings, which of Indigenous perspectives, experiences and attitudes. regarding the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander collection, indicated that an overwhelming majority of Australians However, Cook himself or the mythology that surrounds interpretation of these objects and Aboriginal culture and support a formal process of truth-telling, and most Australians him are not essential to this exploration. history within the Museum. ‘accept key facts about historical realities and Australia’s past institutional prejudices against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Former consultant to the United Nations (UN) cultural Islander people’.9 organisation, UNESCO, Dr Ragbir Bhathal recently wrote a critical essay about the need in Australia for a museum The 2020 Project Curatorial Team argues that based on 2 McQuire, H. (2019, 14 February). As an Aboriginal child I had to listen while taught 7 Bhathal, R. (2018, 20 December). Why not a museum of the First Peoples of which has the primary task to tell the stories of Aboriginal community feedback in the survey results, Cook’s arrival Captain Cook ‘discovered’ Australia, The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/ Australia, Campus Review: https://www.campusreview.com.au/2018/12/why- and Torres Strait Islander culture, history, and politics.3 in 1770 had paved the way for the invasion of the First Fleet commentisfree/2019/feb/14/as-an-aboriginal-child-i-had-to-listen-in-class- not-a-museum-of-the-first-peoples-of-australia/ (accessed 18/02/2019). while-taught-captain-cook-discovered-australia (accessed 18/02/2019). 8 Australian Federal Government (2018). Joint Select Committee on Constitutional His advice regarding a standalone ‘museum of the First in Warrane (Sydney Cove) in 1788, leading to the devastating 3 See Bhathal, R. (2018, 20 December). Why not a museum of the First Peoples of Recognition relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples (: Peoples of Australia’ could also be applied to how museum effects of colonisation such as disease, massacres, Australia, Campus Review: https://www.campusreview.com.au/2018/12/why-not- Author): https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/ exhibitions on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons, and racist policies which have contributed to present a-museum-of-the-first-peoples-of-australia/ (accessed 18/02/2019). Constitutional_Recognition_2018 (accessed 12/03/2019). histories, and cultures should be developed. disadvantage and intergenerational trauma experienced 4 Mottram, L. (2019, 21 January). Former UNESCO consultant asks, why isn’t there 9 Reconciliation Australia (2018). 2018 Australian Reconciliation Barometer by many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. a museum of the First Peoples of Australia? ABC News: https://www.abc.net. (Kingston, ACT: Author), p. 3; and Smee, B. (2019, 11 February). Truth-telling: In an interview on ABC Radio with Linda Mottram, Dr Bhathal au/radio/programs/pm/why-isn%E2%80%99t-there-a-museum-of-the-first- 80% say past injustices against Indigenous people should be recognized, noted that such exhibitions are more often than not curated peoples-of-australia/10733386 (accessed 18/02/2019). The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/feb/11/ 5 Mottram, L. (2019, 21 January). Former UNESCO consultant asks, why isn’t there truth-telling-80-say-past-injustices-against-indigenous-people-should-be- and controlled by non-Indigenous curators.4 In his opinion, a museum of the First Peoples of Australia? ABC News: https://www.abc.net. recognised (accessed 25/02/2019). the curators of these exhibitions should be First Nations au/radio/programs/pm/why-isn%E2%80%99t-there-a-museum-of-the-first- 10 Nugent, M. (2009). Captain Cook Was Here (Melbourne: Cambridge University people, and the job of curators ‘should be telling the truth peoples-of-australia/10733386 (accessed 18/02/2019). Press), p. 106. and they should be the strong supporters of telling the truth’.5 6 Bhathal, R. (2018, 20 December). Why not a museum of the First Peoples of Australia, Campus Review: https://www.campusreview.com.au/2018/12/why- not-a-museum-of-the-first-peoples-of-australia/ (accessed 18/02/2019).

24 AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM The 2020 Project: First Nations Community Consultation Report 2019 25 Appendices Have your say!

This is a voluntary survey for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The information from this survey will be Haveused to formulate your a topical responsesay! from the Aboriginal Have your say! communities about the events of 1770 for exhibition (and/or programming) within the Australian Museum. This is a voluntary survey for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The information from this survey will be used to formulate a topical response from the Aboriginal Are you Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander? (please circle) communities about the events of 1770 for exhibition Dear friends, Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Both (and/or programming) within the Australian Museum. Re: The 2020 Project Are you Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander? (please circle) What is your Nation, language group or community (optional)? The Australian Museum (AM) respects the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Both peoples to represent themselves and their culture within the Australian Museum. We understand that historically the museum has not fully respected those rights. What is your Nation, language group or community (optional)?

InWhat 2020, is Australia your postcode? faces the 250th anniversary of first contact with the British on the East Coast of Australia by Lieutenant James Cook (1770). Historically, Aboriginal voices and perspectives on these events, and their consequences, have been largely ignored. What is your postcode? Given this one-sided view of history, the Australian Museum would like to provide a platformWhat word/s for Aboriginal or thought/s communities come to respondto mind to when the events you think of 1770 about and ongoing the Australian Museum? consequences through The 2020 Project. This project will result in an Indigenous-led exhibition and/or programming, events and outreach in the year 2020. What word/s or thought/s come to mind when you think about the Australian Museum? To understand what topics and stories Aboriginal communities would like to have told, the AM’s First Nations team will be conducting consultation, focused within NSW, from July to October 2018. We invite you to have your say, to tell us what themes and narratives you would like to see addressed.

You can have your say by completing The 2020 Project Survey and/or by contacting the First Nations team to arrange an interview or meeting. Email: [email protected] Phone: (02) 9320 6410

What word/s or thought/s first come to mind when you hear or see the name Captain WeJames thank Cook? you for your participation and feedback. What word/s or thought/s first come to mind when you hear or see the name Captain James Cook?

Kim McKay AO Director & CEO

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AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM 1 William Street Sydney NSW 2010 Australia australianmuseum.net.au 1 of 2 AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM 1 William Street Sydney NSW 2010 Australia australianmuseum.net.au 1 of 2 1 William Street Sydney NSW 2010 Australia australianmuseum.net.au AUSTRALIAN T 61 2 9320 6410 MUSEUM E [email protected] T 61 2 9320 6410 E [email protected] T 61 2 9320 6410 E [email protected]

Appendix 1: ‘Have your say!’ letter from the Director of the Australian Museum Appendix 2: ‘Have your say!’ seven question survey, page 1

26 AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM The 2020 Project: First Nations Community Consultation Report 2019 27 What topics or issues would you like the Australian Museum to address in an exhibition that responds to the anniversary of the 1770 events?

What is something you would not want to see in an exhibition regarding Cook and the events of 1770? And why?

The 2020 Project: First Nations Community Consultation Report 2019

The 2020 Project team Australian Museum 1 William Street Sydney NSW 2010 Australia T + 61 2 9320 6410 E [email protected]

AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM 1 William Street Sydney NSW 2010 Australia australianmuseum.net.au 2 of 2 Published May 2019 T 61 2 9320 6410 E [email protected] Design and production Australian Museum Design Studio

Appendix 2: ‘Have your say!’ seven question survey, page 2 Printed on 100% recycled paper

28 AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM The 2020 Project: First Nations Community Consultation Report 2019 1 William Street Sydney NSW 2010 Australia T +61 2 9320 6000 australianmuseum.net.au