DGD13-031 Policy Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Protocols for Events Policy Statement ACT Health is committed to a ‘Reconciliation Action Plan 2012-2015’ that sets a vision for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living in the ACT and region to enjoy a quality of life, life expectancy and health status equal to other Canberrans through implementing actions that contribute to improving health and healthcare service delivery. In achieving this vision, acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land at official events and enhancing our relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community organisations, leaders and peoples through a journey of Reconciliation helps to ensure that mutual benefits and efforts are shared and valued. Purpose The ACT Government’s ‘Indigenous Protocols’ recognises the Ngunnawal people as the traditional custodians of the ACT and surrounding region and provides the policy for a ‘Welcome to Country, and Acknowledgement of Country’. The ACT Health Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Protocols and related Standard Operating Procedure provide information and guidance to ACT Health staff responsible for organising, ‘A Welcome to Country, and/or Acknowledgement of Country and/or an Aboriginal Smoking Ceremony’ to ensure appropriate protocols are followed and acknowledged. Scope This policy applies to: • All ‘Welcome to Country, Acknowledgement of Country, and/or an Aboriginal Smoking Ceremony’ arrangements undertaken by ACT Health; and • Includes all meetings, events and forums with external stakeholders; public speeches prepared for major launches of ACT Health policies and programs; conferences held or sponsored by ACT Health; international events held in Australia of which ACT Health is an organiser or sponsor; and award/s or other significant ceremonies conducted, such as the opening of ACT Health facilities. Out of Scope Arrangement of all other cultural healing and cleansing practices that require sensitive consultation with individual families, patients or clients to determine the appropriate cultural practice, are not covered in this Policy and Standard Operating Procedure. Staff should discuss with family members whether there are any cultural protocols they want to arrange. Doc Number DGD13-031 Issued April 2013 Review Date April 2016 Area Responsible Policy and Gov Relations Page 1 of 4 DGD13-031 1. When is a Welcome to Country required? A Welcome to Country is required at all official events where members of the public, representatives of Government and/or media are present. Only a Ngunnawal Elder or traditional custodian can deliver a Welcome to Country which is a traditional custom of welcoming people onto the land. The Welcome to Country is made at the commencement of proceedings and takes approximately 3-4 minutes. An appropriate response to the Welcome to Country by the ACT Government representative is required in the official opening speech, acknowledging the traditional custodians and the Welcome to Country provided by the Elder/traditional custodian. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples providing cultural services and/or cultural knowledge should be appropriately remunerated. As a general indication, $350 for a Welcome to Country is appropriate. 2. When is an Acknowledgement of Country required? For all public speeches by representatives of the ACT Government an Acknowledgement of Country that consists of acknowledging the traditional custodians, the Ngunnawal people is required: • In a response to a Welcome to Country made by a Ngunnawal Elder or traditional custodian; and • Can also be provided by the most senior ACT Health delegate at meetings, events and forums with external stakeholders when a formal Welcome to Country has not taken place. 3. When is an Aboriginal Smoking Ceremony required? An Aboriginal Smoking Ceremony may be required when there is a perceived need to cleanse and refresh the land, including buildings (old or new) and where individuals, clients and staff have a sense of ‘grief or loss’ that impacts them. The Aboriginal Smoking Ceremony is a traditional spiritual healing practice that focuses on spiritual healing and calls on ancestors to release ‘lost spirits’ to bring comfort and safety. The Ceremony takes approximately 20-30 minutes, although this can vary depending on the size and scope of the area. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples providing cultural services and/or cultural knowledge should be appropriately remunerated. As a general indication, approximately $1,000 for an Aboriginal Smoking Ceremony is appropriate. Roles & Responsibilities Director-General ACT Government Directors-General are responsible for implementing whole of government policies such as the ACT Government’s Indigenous Protocols. Doc Number DGD13-031 Issued April 2013 Review Date April 2016 Area Responsible Policy and Gov Relations Page 2 of 4 DGD13-031 The ACT Health Director-General is responsible for the implementation of the Reconciliation Action Plan 2012-2015 and to ensure that it is refreshed each year, including reporting annually on progress to Reconciliation Australia. All Executive Directors Executive Directors are responsible for ensuring ACT Government policy such as the ACT Government’s Indigenous Protocols and commitment to ACT Health’s Reconciliation Action Plan 2012-2015, are recognised within their areas. Director, Communications and Marketing The Director, Communications and Marketing is responsible for implementing and reviewing, Action 1. Respect, in the Reconciliation Action Plan – ‘The ACT Health develops protocols and guidelines to ensure that relevant ACT Health events include where appropriate: an acknowledgement of traditional custodians; and/or Welcome to Country speech; and/or Smoking Ceremony’. Manager, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Unit The Manager, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Unit is responsible for providing advice on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander policy, consultation and engagement and contacting key community stakeholders. All staff All staff are responsible for ensuring Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country protocols are incorporated into the preparation of public speeches and/or the organisation of major launches of ACT Health policies and programs; conferences held or sponsored by ACT Health; international events held in Australia of which ACT Health is an organiser or sponsor; and award/s or other significant ceremonies, such as the opening of health buildings/facilities. Evaluation Outcome Measures ACT Health demonstrates awareness and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Protocols that relate to a Welcome to Country, Acknowledgement of Country and an Aboriginal Smoking Ceremony. Method • All speeches prepared for ACT Health representatives are monitored to ensure protocols for a Welcome to Country and Response and/or Acknowledgement of Country are included and appropriate; • All arrangements for an Aboriginal Smoking Ceremony ensure the use of appropriate protocols; and • Evaluation of the Policy and related Standard Operating Procedures will be undertaken by Communications and Marketing Unit and provided to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Coordination Group. Related Legislation, Policies and Standards Legislation Not applicable. Doc Number DGD13-031 Issued April 2013 Review Date April 2016 Area Responsible Policy and Gov Relations Page 3 of 4 DGD13-031 Policies ACT Government Indigenous Protocols – Chief Minister and Cabinet Directorate. ACT Government ACT Health, Reconciliation Action Plan 2012-2015. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Protocols, Standard Operating Procedures. Standards ACT Government Indigenous Protocols – Chief Minister and Cabinet Directorate. References • ACT Government ACT Health Reconciliation Action Plan 2012-2015. Attachments • ACT Government Indigenous Protocols • ACT Health Reconciliation Action Plan 2012-2015 http://health.act.gov.au/healthservices/aboriginal-torres-strait-islander/information/reconciliation-action-plan Disclaimer: This document has been developed by ACT Health, Communications and Marketing Unit specifically for its own use. Use of this document and any reliance on the information contained therein by any third party is at his or her own risk and ACT Health assumes no responsibility whatsoever. Doc Number DGD13-031 Issued April 2013 Review Date April 2016 Area Responsible Policy and Gov Relations Page 4 of 4