A guide to Aboriginal cultural protocols for NSW government sector events May 2017 Contents About this guide 3 What do we cover? 3 Where can you learn more? 3 Who contributed to the guide? 3 Introduction 4 Improving cultural competency in the public sector 4 Recognition of Aboriginal cultural practices 4 Promoting Aboriginal cultural practices 4 General requirements 5 Consultation and planning 5 Official events and ceremonies 6 Types of events 6 Protocols and practices 7 Welcome to Country 7 Acknowledgement of Country 8 Other cultural practices 9 Payment of fees 10 Importance of intellectual property 10 Fee guide 10 Calendar of significant cultural events 11 PAGE 2 | A GUIDE TO ABORIGINAL CULTURAL PROTOCOLS FOR NSW GOVERNMENT SECTOR EVENTS About this guide What do we cover? This guide is to help NSW government sector staff observe appropriate Aboriginal cultural protocols at official events or at events where NSW government sector agencies are the host or an official sponsor of an event. The guide looks at: 1. Introduction 2. General requirements 3. Official events and ceremonies 4. Protocols and practices 5. Fee schedules 6. Calendar of significant Aboriginal events. The PSC acknowledges that some agencies will rely on their own Aboriginal cultural protocol guidance material. Where can you learn more? For more information, please speak to your local expert or Local Aboriginal Land Council office. You can also contact the Public Service Commission’s Aboriginal Workforce Development Team: 9272 6000 [email protected] Who contributed to the guide? The Public Service Commission thanks the Aboriginal Employment Advisory Committee for the time and expertise they have given to the development of this guide. We recognise the diverse language groups, kinship structures and customs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities across New South Wales. While the guide generally uses the term ‘Aboriginal’, we are referring to both Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. PAGE 3 | A GUIDE TO ABORIGINAL CULTURAL PROTOCOLS FOR NSW GOVERNMENT SECTOR EVENTS Introduction Improving cultural competency in the public sector The NSW Public Service Commission acknowledges the unique position of Aboriginal people across New South Wales. These protocols are aimed at improving Aboriginal cultural competency in the government sector workplace, an objective of the NSW Public Sector Aboriginal Employment Strategy 2014-2017. The NSW government service is a major employer and has a role to play in demonstrating good practice in Aboriginal employment. Recognition of Aboriginal cultural practices Aboriginal people are the original owners of the land and it is important that this unique position of the Aboriginal people in NSW is recognised and incorporated into official protocol. This recognition allows for promotion to the wider community of Aboriginal protocol and the sharing of Aboriginal cultural practices whilst encouraging a better relationship between Aboriginal people and the wider community. Promoting Aboriginal cultural practices The NSW government sector has a significant footprint throughout NSW. As such, participation in official events and ceremonies is crucial to core business which means constant engagement with the Aboriginal and wider community. In participating in these events we aim to be leaders in promoting and following Aboriginal Cultural Protocols. Incorporating Aboriginal protocols into practice by the NSW government sector: • Encourages recognition and respect of Aboriginal heritage and cultures • Encourages communication and promotion of Aboriginal cultural practices to the wider community • Encourages understanding from the wider community around Aboriginal cultural practices • Ensures that the use of Aboriginal cultural practice is recognised as useful to building relationships and partnerships. The purpose of this guide is to assist NSW government sector agencies to observe the appropriate protocols of the recognition of Aboriginal people at official events or at events where NSW government sector agencies are the host or an official sponsor of an event. PAGE 4 | A GUIDE TO ABORIGINAL CULTURAL PROTOCOLS FOR NSW GOVERNMENT SECTOR EVENTS General requirements Consultation and planning NSW government sector agencies should consult with relevant Aboriginal community members or Aboriginal organisations in the initial planning stages for any official event or ceremony. These organisations include: • The Local Aboriginal Land Council • Traditional owners or other regional Aboriginal advisory structures • Department of Aboriginal Affairs • Aboriginal Elders/Elders Groups • Notable Aboriginal organisations such as an Aboriginal Medical Service • Native Title Services NSW. It is also important to consider Aboriginal staff members within the NSW government sector. They may be able to inform you of local contacts and/or participate in facilitating consultations. Consultations with any of the above may be about: • Appropriate performances according to the event purpose and audience • Who should be included in the event • Appropriate remuneration for any participation • Ensuring that mutual respect will be promoted throughout any proceedings. PAGE 5 | A GUIDE TO ABORIGINAL CULTURAL PROTOCOLS FOR NSW GOVERNMENT SECTOR EVENTS Official events and ceremonies Types of events NSW government sector events may include the following: • Opening of new buildings • Launches of new policies or programs • Conferences both internally and externally • Sponsored cultural, sporting or community events. PAGE 6 | A GUIDE TO ABORIGINAL CULTURAL PROTOCOLS FOR NSW GOVERNMENT SECTOR EVENTS Protocols and practices Welcome to Country Official NSW government sector events or ceremonies should begin with a Welcome to Country. A Welcome to Country is a very specific Aboriginal cultural protocol that allows for an Aboriginal Elder to welcome all of the participants at the event to the country of their people and their ancestors. This practice is not only an official welcome, it allows for the wider community to reflect on the connection that Aboriginal people have with country and the importance of country to their existence, past and present. A Welcome to Country should be commissioned at both NSW government sector official events and those events that the NSW government sector are a major sponsor. The content of a Welcome to Country should be negotiated with the relevant and appropriate Aboriginal organisation, their representative or the Elder/Elders Group. The Welcome to Country itself should be undertaken by a recognised member of the Aboriginal Community who is from the country upon which you meet. Where possible the use of Aboriginal language is encouraged when delivering the ‘Welcome to Country. The theme for NAIDOC 2017 recognises the ‘essential role that Indigenous languages play in both cultural identity, linking people to their land and water, and in the transmission of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, spirituality and rites, through story and song’ (www.naidoc.org.au). A Welcome to Country may involve (but is not limited to): • A welcome introduction that may or may not be in the relevant Aboriginal language • The individual/group being dressed in cultural attire • Involvement from the participants at the event • Sharing of information such as local history or culture • Recognition of other Aboriginal Elders and Aboriginal people • Reciprocated respect • Best wishes for a successful event. Generally, after the Welcome to Country is delivered it is important that the facilitator demonstrates gratitude for the welcome and thanks the delegate. A gift may be provided to the delegate if this is deemed appropriate. PAGE 7 | A GUIDE TO ABORIGINAL CULTURAL PROTOCOLS FOR NSW GOVERNMENT SECTOR EVENTS Acknowledgement of Country An Acknowledgement of Country is a practice that allows for any individual to pay their respects to Aboriginal people whilst acknowledging their ongoing connection to country. Acknowledgements to Country can be used by each person who has an official task at the event such as the facilitator, key note speakers, special guests and other presenters. It is important to understand also that in some circumstances country may be disputed and therefore may be represented by two or more traditional owners. For this reason, it is important to note that when you are doing an Acknowledgment of Country and you are unsure of the name of the traditional owners you can acknowledge those owners without being specific. An example of a statement of Acknowledgement to Country is: “I would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of the lands on which we meet today (insert appropriate name here) and the Elders, past and present. I acknowledge the ongoing connection that Aboriginal people have to this land and recognise Aboriginal people as the original custodians of this land. I would also like to acknowledge any Aboriginal people that are present here today.” Fast Facts • Similar to a Welcome to Country, an Acknowledgement of Country is generally offered at the beginning of a meeting, speech or formal occasion. • An Acknowledgement of Country can be done by everyone, Aboriginal or non-Aboriginal people, to pay respect to the fact that one is on Aboriginal land. • In addition to the initial Acknowledgement of Country, some speakers may also elect to offer their personal Acknowledgement of Country at the start of their own presentation. • At the beginning videoconference and teleconference meetings,