Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Protocols
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
In the Spirit of reconciliation, NEXUS Australia acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, waters, and community, and pay respect to all Elders – past, present, and emerging.
INTRODUCTION
NEXUS Australia present this Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Protocols as a means of ensuring safety and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in all our undertakings.
These cultural protocols provide guidance for NEXUS Australia committee members, all invited speakers, members of the NEXUS community and registered delegates to ensure they show respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural beliefs and practices in all their endeavours.
Observations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural protocols illustrate the respect for the history, culture, and diversity of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
When we work with specific communities or language groups, we seek guidance from those in authority about the respectful and appropriate language protocols.
These protocols provide general advice only and is not intended to be legal advice. If you have a particular legal issue, we recommend that you seek independent legal advice from a suitably qualified legal practitioner.
CULTURAL PROTOCOLS
NEXUS Australia recognises that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples express their connection to heritage in contemporary life through their relationship with land, waterways, animals, and plants, as well as relationships with other people.
NEXUS Australia aims to have respectful use of engaging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for cultural material, information about life experience and strong link to country.
WELCOME TO COUNTRY: A Welcome to Country address is given by a traditional custodian of the land, included in the official opening of events.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY: It is respectful for others who are speaking officially to also acknowledge country and custodians at the site of the event. This could be done by the master of ceremonies making an introductory acknowledgement to the traditional custodians. Acknowledgements can also be made on emails, websites, publications.
CULTURAL SAFETY
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities should feel culturally safe when collaborating or working on projects. Without the feeling of prejudice and discrimination.
NEXUS Australia will explore opportunities to introduce and embed the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples at all Summits and Community Network gatherings.
For NEXUS Australia, we acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories have been transmitted orally and passed on through the generations via the art of storytelling.
As part of the official opening ceremonies of the NEXUS Summit, we will display the Aboriginal Flag, and the Torres Strait Islander Flag, as a mark of respect towards Reconciliation and that special occasions like the NEXUS Summit is important to come together, share and learn from each other.
NEXUS Australia has also introduced an informal yarning circle within the program to provide a culturally safe space for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to be heard and to respond to ideas, reflections, thoughts, and experiences from the Summit. This is a closed session for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
NEXUS Australia recognises that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples provide a strong voice to decision makers on issues that impact them and lead in the achievements of providing advice and guidance to NEXUS and contributing to NEXUS processes.
Vital to communication and consultation, NEXUS will continue to build trusting relationships and act respectfully in listening and taking in the perspectives of others with an open mind.
Recording and distribution of images and/or footage related to Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islander people
NEXUS Australia recognises it is important to obtain the consent of the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person or persons telling the story before recording it or writing it down.
NEXUS Australia will seek permission from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples when taking part in recording of oral stories/videos/photographs and discuss copyright as a result of work for their records. At the 2022 Summit, sessions will not be recorded except for the purposes of live-streaming with speakers participating remotely.
A cultural disclaimer will be featured throughout the NEXUS Australia Summit where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned photographs/videos on this website may contain images of deceased persons which may cause sadness or distress.
NEXUS Australia will seek permission from delegates to reproduce works protected by copyright.
LINKS TO THIRD PARTY SITES
Links to third party sites are inserted for convenience. NEXUS Australia makes no representation or warranty regarding the content of these sites, and no responsibility is taken for the consequences of viewing and replying on this content. Third party sites should not be seen as endorsed by NEXUS Australia.
Note: Information and links from the NEXUS 2022 Australia Summit will be shared with NEXUS Global to inform other networks of our shared experiences.
CONTACT US
For all enquiries, please contact NEXUSAustralia by email at info@nexusaustralia.org.au.