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