NTEU Welcome to Country Guide
NTEU WELCOME TO COUNTRY GUIDE
Overview
Contents Overview...........................................................2 Protocols...........................................................3 Planning & consultation
3
Calendar of events
3
Order of events
3
Participation 3 Type of Ceremony
3
Flags on display
3
Appropriate Ceremonies...............................4 Community contacts
4
Mixed custodianship
4
Acknowledging Elders
4
Welcome to Country
5
Acknowledgment of Country
5
Cultural or personal histories
5
Fees for Service...............................................6 Example rates
6
Payment Methods
6
Travel costs
7
Dancers 7 Traditional instrument performances
7
Smoking ceremonies
7
Other ceremonies
7
NTEU Welcome to Country Guide ISBN 978-0-6482106-7-2 2nd edition ©2019 Published by National Tertiary Education Union, Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Unit NTEU National Office, PO Box 1323, South Melbourne VIC 3205 Australia Download at www.nteu.org.au/atsi/publications
Cover image: Djirri Djirri dancers page 2
NTEU Welcome to Country Guide outlines and explains the policy protocols covering the formal acknowledgment of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander (A&TSI) peoples at official NTEU functions and events or at events where NTEU is a participant. These protocols are designed to assist the NTEU community to come to know, respect and share in A&TSI cultures. The protocols apply to all levels of the Union (National Office, Divisions and Branches). Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples are the ‘traditional custodians’ of Australia. It is important that this unique position is recognised and incorporated into official NTEU protocols. By incorporating A&TSI cultural practices into official events, the Union: ●● Recognises and pays respect to A&TSI Elders, community, lands and cultures. ●● Communicates A&TSI cultural practices to NTEU membership and broader community to promote learning, respect and progression. ●● Demonstrates that A&TSI cultures are ongoing, live and endure through the maintenance and practice of ceremonies and cultural protocols. NTEU recognises, respects and acknowledges the sovereignty of A&TSI people, their unique position in Australian history and their deep-seated connection to land, culture and heritage. NTEU also recognises the need for treaties with A&TSI communities. All Australians should share in this unique and complex history and acknowledge the damage colonisation has created. We must work towards a better future for all.
NTEU WELCOME TO COUNTRY GUIDE
Protocols Event organisers should first contact the NTEU Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Policy Committee (A&TSIPC) representative in their Division to determine the appropriate ceremonies and/or performances for the official event. The A&TSIPC representative will recommend an appropriate local contact for conducting a Welcome to Country.
Planning & consultation
Order of events A Welcome to Country must be the first item on the agenda/program for the event. To place the traditional Welcome to County other than the first item would be deemed as disrespectful to Elders and the local community in attendance.
Participation If Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Elders are not available to perform Welcome to Country, then their children or siblings may agree to participate in significant events.
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander ceremonies Type of Ceremony and practices differ from community to Where a traditional Welcome to Country community. Care must be taken to ensure cannot be undertaken (due to clash of consultation is undertaken with the locally timetables, death/ recognised Aboriginal funeral in community and/or Torres Strait In NTEU policy, the term ‘Aboriginal’ or ceremony), the Islander community. and/or ‘Torres Strait Islander’ are minimum requirement This should be done at used in preference to ‘Indigenous’ as for all NTEU official least at least one month Indigenous is an international term events is an prior to the planned adopted by the United Nations to Acknowledgment of event. identify all Indigenous peoples in a Country. global context. Event organisers An Acknowledgment of must schedule Country differs greatly consultation with the from a Welcome to Country (see p. 5 for A&TSI community. This is to ensure that a details). recognised community representative is available to participate at the event, and that Flags on display there is adequate time for discussions and Flags displayed at an event should be in the decision-making. following order, from left to right from the The appropriate form of recognition afforded audience perspective: the Australian flag, the to A&TSI peoples at official NTEU events are Aboriginal flag and the Torres Strait Islander set out in this Guide. flag.
Calendar of events To assist in planning, it is recommended that each NTEU Division and Branch develop a calendar or database of events that incorporates A&TSI ceremonies. With the permission of the local community, the database may also contain details on A&TSI Elders and organisations for future reference.
The NTEU A&TSI Caucus also have specific flags which may be displayed at events and used at protests.
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NTEU WELCOME TO COUNTRY GUIDE
Appropriate Ceremonies When organising official NTEU events, you may choose to include one or more of the following ceremonies: ●● Welcome to Country ●● Acknowledgment of Country
Community contacts Always ensure that appropriate consultations and negotiations are undertaken with the local Elders and community. Local A&TSI Communities, Land Councils and Cooperatives can assist in identifying those who can perform Welcome to Country.
Mixed custodianship
●● Other ceremonies such as ‘smoking ceremonies’
In some communities there is ongoing debate as to who are the custodians of certain land.
●● Personal or cultural histories ●● Dance or other performances.
In these circumstances it is appropriate to acknowledge ‘all the traditional custodians of this land’ without naming a specific people.
See Table 1 for a list of events and appropriate ceremonies. Remember to always consult with Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander communities on the best form of recognition and cultural practice ceremonies.
Acknowledging Elders It is important that all speakers, both A&TSI and non-A&TSI acknowledge any Elders and community who may be in attendance at the meeting/public event prior to presenting or speaking.
Table 1: Organising public meetings and events Event
Welcome to Country
Acknowledgment of Country
National Council Meeting
YES
YES2
National Executive Meeting
NO1
YES
Division Council Meeting
NO1
YES
Division Executive Meeting
NO1
YES
Branch Committee Meeting
NO1
YES
Opening of a new Office
YES
YES2
Conference/Seminar/Forum
YES
YES2
Campaign/Policy Launch
YES
YES2
Industrial Action
YES
YES2
Press Conference
NO
YES
Public Lecture
YES
YES2
Dance & instrumental performance
To be determined by agreement with the local community To be determined by agreement with the local community
1. A Welcome to Country can be performed if required – to be determined by Division/Branch. 2. Only if a Welcome to Country is not possible. page 4
Smoking Ceremony
YES
To be determined by agreement with the local community
NTEU WELCOME TO COUNTRY GUIDE
Welcome to Country The Welcome to Country ceremony is to be undertaken ONLY by an Elder(s) or a locally recognised senior community spokesperson. The traditional custodians are to be approached to undertake the Welcome to Country ceremony. This is dependent upon the location of the event and the practices of the local A&TSI community. It is important that negotiations with the local Aboriginal community begin at least one month before A&TSI Elders are invited to undertake the ceremony. There is no exact wording for Welcome to Country. The content is to be determined by the local A&TSI community, with reference to the nature of the event and community practices. As part of the Welcome, Elders and community may provide information on local A&TSI histories and cultural information, and then welcome the audience to the country. If a Welcome to Country ceremony cannot be undertaken, then an Acknowledgment of Country is to be conducted.
Acknowledgment of Country An Acknowledgment of Country is a way for people other than the traditional custodians of the local area to formally recognise A&TSI land, culture and heritage. Onus should never be placed on A&TSI attendees to provide an Acknowledgement of Country as these ceremonies are a means of acknowledging sovereignty. Indeed, due to the ongoing process of colonisation, it is important for non-Indigenous people to make this gesture as a form of reconciliation and education. A Chairperson, MC or other person can begin the meeting by acknowledging that the meeting is taking place in the country of the traditional custodians. Suggested wording is outlined in Table 2. Further advice on appropriate wording can be sought from the Division A&TSIPC representative or the National A&TSI Unit.
Table 2: Acknowledgment of Country suggested wording ‘I would like to acknowledge that we are meeting on the traditional lands of the ______________ (insert traditional custodians/language group name). I wish to formally recognise the Elders, families and forebears of the ______________ people and acknowledge they are the traditional custodians of the land, and have been so for millennia. We acknowledge that the land on which we meet is stolen land. That the ______________ have never ceded their sovereignty on these lands and treaties are yet to be negotiated. We additionally acknowledge the ______________ peoples’ living culture, knowledge and struggle in this region. As unionists, we pledge our ongoing solidarity with the traditional owners, and all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, in their struggle for recognition of sovereignty, historical truths and justice.
Cultural or personal histories Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples are often asked to give personal or cultural histories to non-Aboriginal communities to encourage learning, create a greater understanding and awareness about Aboriginal history and culture. However, it should not be assumed that an Elder and/or community members will agree to discuss local A&TSI history for in some cases this may cause distress. If negotiated, the Elder or community member performing the Welcome to Country may wish to give a personal account, talk on history, or provide audiences with knowledge of A&TSI cultural heritage and practices.
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NTEU WELCOME TO COUNTRY GUIDE
Fees for Service In providing cultural services such as Welcome to Country, artistic performances and ceremonies, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are using their intellectual property. As such, providers of these services must be appropriately remunerated. Remuneration and/or ancillary assistance must be negotiated between the local A&TSI Elder, Land Council, community organisation etc. and the relevant NTEU Branch, Division or National Office committee.
Example rates There are no relevant agreements that suitably cover Welcome to Country, A&TSI artistic performances and ceremonies. For a Welcome to Country ceremony, the rate of payment should be no less than $500 (2019 rate).
Payment Methods Payment for Welcome to Country and performances will be largely determined by NTEU financial/procurement procedures. Professional performers are to be asked to provide a tax invoice quoting an ABN number before payment can be made. Where an ABN cannot be provided, the service providers are to complete an ATO ‘Statement by a Supplier’ form. This will ensure the earnings are not taxed at the highest margin of 48%. Forms can be downloaded from the Australian Taxation Office website: www.ato.gov.au/content/downloads/ nat3346. pdf It is preferable that payment is made to the provider in as timely a manner as is possible. When making a booking, please instruct the provider to provide an invoice (including an ABN or an ATO supplier statement) on the day of the event or within ten working days to ensure quick turnaround.
Aunty Carolyn Briggs delivering a Welcome to Country at NTEU National Council
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NTEU WELCOME TO COUNTRY GUIDE
Travel costs
Smoking ceremonies
Where transport is an issue in rural and remote areas of Australia, Divisions and Branches are to consider providing transport to and from the event.
Smoking ceremonies are only to be conducted by Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander peoples with specialised cultural knowledge. The ceremony aims to cleanse/ renew the space in which the ceremony takes place.
This requirement is especially important for Elders performing Welcome to Country ceremonies.
Dancers Dancers are often used as part of Welcome ceremonies. There are many professional A&TSI dance troupes and individuals across Australia. Charges will vary according to level of training, the size of the company, the nature of the dance required and whether the dancers charge by the hour or per performance.
Traditional instrument performances
Given the significant nature of the ceremony, smoking ceremonies are usually only performed at major events.
Other ceremonies Other ceremonies such as personal or cultural histories, dance or other forms of performance may also be performed. Event organisers should consult with local A&TSI communities on the best form of recognition for each event, reflecting the Union’s commitment to Reconciliation and Social Justice.
Performances including traditional instruments maybe incorporated into a Welcome to Country. Didgeridoo players are frequently used in Welcome ceremonies to call speakers, special guests and the audience to begin the ceremony. A didgeridoo player may also be used as a soloist in other parts of the ceremony. Care must also be given to ensure that the appropriate traditional instrument is utilised in the Welcome to Country. For example, in Victoria the traditional instrument is the clapping boomerangs.
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