Cultural Protocols

# Cultural Protocols Cultural protocols are the established ways of behaving and communicating that show respect. Get them right, and you build trust. Get them wrong, and you undermine everything else you're trying to do.¹  _Fig. 5.1: Welcome to Country ceremonies are performed exclusively by Traditional Owners. Acknowledgement of Country can be delivered by anyone._ ## Acknowledgement of Country ### What It Is An Acknowledgement of Country recognises the Traditional Owners of the land where an event or activity takes place. **Anyone can give an Acknowledgement of Country.**² ### When to Give One Give an Acknowledgement of Country at the beginning of meetings and events, on websites and in publications, in project documentation, at project milestones and openings, and when welcoming visitors to your workplace. Make it a consistent practice, not a special occasion thing. ### Elements of a Genuine Acknowledgement A thoughtful Acknowledgement includes **specific naming** of the Traditional Owner group(s), **recognition** of their continuing connection to Country, **respect** for Elders past, present, and emerging, and optionally a **personal commitment** to reconciliation — which adds depth. ### Example Acknowledgements **Basic:** > We acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people as the Traditional Owners of the land on which we meet today. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present, and emerging. **Extended:** > We acknowledge that we are meeting on the lands of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people of the Kulin Nation, who have cared for this Country for over 65,000 years. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present, and emerging, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Sovereignty was never ceded. ### Making It Genuine Research the specific Traditional Owners for your location. Don't rely on generic phrases. Don't just read from a script—speak with actual feeling. Reflect on what the acknowledgement means to you and your practice. Most importantly, act consistently with what you acknowledge. An acknowledgement without corresponding action rings hollow. --- ## Welcome to Country ### What It Is A Welcome to Country is a formal ceremony performed by **Traditional Owners or their representatives** to welcome visitors to their Country. Only Traditional Owners can perform a Welcome to Country.³ ### When to Request One Request a Welcome to Country for project launches and openings, significant milestones, major events and conferences, and when beginning work on a new site. ### How to Arrange One 1. Contact the relevant Traditional Owner group or Land Council 2. Explain the event and its significance 3. Discuss appropriate format and timing 4. Agree on fees and logistics 5. Confirm arrangements well in advance ### During the Ceremony Stand in respect. Listen attentively. Follow any instructions given—if invited to participate in a smoking ceremony, do so. Afterward, thank the Elder personally. ### Fees and Compensation Welcome to Country ceremonies should be compensated. Typical arrangements include consulting fees for the Elder's time, travel and accommodation costs, administrative fees to the organisation, and a gift or donation to the community.  _Fig. 5.2: Reconciliation Australia's Narragunnawali program provides resources for using respectful and inclusive language.⁴_ --- ## Appropriate Language ### Terminology Use respectful, current terminology:⁴ | Preferred | Avoid | | --------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------- | | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples | Aborigines | | First Nations peoples | Natives | | Indigenous Australians (context-dependent) | Aboriginals | | Traditional Owners / Traditional Custodians | Tribes | | Elders | Chiefs | | Country | Land (when referring to cultural connection) | | Communities | Villages | ### Key Terms to Understand **Country** — The lands, waters, and all living things that Indigenous peoples are connected to. More than just the physical environment. **Traditional Owners / Traditional Custodians** — Indigenous peoples who have cultural authority for a particular area of Country. **Elders** — Senior community members who hold cultural knowledge and authority. Referred to with titles such as Uncle or Aunty. **Custodianship** — The responsibility to care for Country, which comes with being a Traditional Owner. **Dreaming / Dreamtime** — Complex spiritual and cultural concepts. Be cautious using these terms; they mean different things to different groups. ### Language to Avoid Avoid possessive language like "Our Aboriginal people" or "Australia's Indigenous heritage." Don't use past tense—"The Aboriginal people who lived here" implies they no longer do. Don't homogenise—"The Aboriginal culture" ignores the diversity of over 250 distinct cultures. Avoid deficit framing that focuses only on problems. And stay away from romanticising tropes like "mystical connection to the land." --- ## Meeting and Communication Protocols ### Initial Meetings Take time for introductions and relationship-building before rushing to business. Listen more than you speak. Be patient with silence—it may be part of the communication style. If meeting with Elders, bring appropriate gifts (ask what's appropriate beforehand). Follow the community's lead on structure and pace. ### Ongoing Communication Be consistent—don't disappear between meetings. Follow through on every commitment, no matter how small. Be accessible by providing multiple contact options. Respect communication preferences—some prefer phone calls to email. Allow adequate time for community processes. ### Meeting Locations Meet on Country when possible and when invited. Respect community spaces by asking before photographing or recording. Follow any protocols for entering community buildings or areas. Be aware that some spaces may be gendered or restricted. --- ## Working with Elders ### Showing Respect Use titles such as Uncle and Aunty when introduced to Elders. Listen attentively when they speak. Don't interrupt or rush conversations. Ask permission before taking photos. Always thank Elders for their time and knowledge. ### Elder Authority Elders have cultural authority that must be respected. Their decisions often reflect community consensus built over time. Some knowledge can only be shared by particular Elders. They may need time to consult with others before responding to your questions. ### Compensation for Elder Time Elder consultation should always be compensated fairly. Discuss appropriate rates with the community organisation. Cover all travel and accommodation costs. Provide refreshments and ensure comfort during meetings. --- ## Gender Protocols ### Understanding Gender in Indigenous Cultures Some Indigenous cultural knowledge and practices are gender-specific:⁵ - **Men's business** — Knowledge and ceremonies for men only - **Women's business** — Knowledge and ceremonies for women only - **Mixed / Open business** — Knowledge that can be shared with everyone ### Practical Implications Some meetings may need to be gender-specific, and some knowledge may only be shared with same-gender researchers. Some sites may have gender restrictions. Always ask about gender protocols before arranging meetings. ### Approaching Gender Sensitively Ask about protocols rather than assuming, and ensure your team has appropriate gender diversity for engagement. Respect that some knowledge won't be shared with you, and don't push for information that is restricted. --- ## Protocols for Documentation ### Photographs and Video Always ask permission before taking photos or video. Clarify usage—who will see it and how it will be used. Provide copies to community. Respect requests to delete or not publish. Be aware that some images may become culturally sensitive if a person passes away. ### Recording Conversations Ask permission before recording. Explain why you want to record. Offer transcripts or copies to participants. Clarify ownership of recordings. Store securely and respect access restrictions. ### Written Documentation Share drafts with community before publishing. Respect requests to remove or modify content. Provide proper attribution for Indigenous contributions. Consider restrictions on distribution. --- ## Handling Mistakes ### When You Make a Mistake You will make mistakes. What matters is how you respond: 1. **Acknowledge** the mistake honestly 2. **Apologise** sincerely without excuses 3. **Ask** how to make it right 4. **Learn** from the experience 5. **Do better** going forward ### Common Mistakes Using outdated or inappropriate language. Assuming one community speaks for all. Not allowing enough time for processes. Failing to follow through on commitments. Sharing information that should be restricted. ### Building Trust After Mistakes Be consistent in your improved behaviour. Don't expect immediate forgiveness—trust takes time to rebuild. Continue to show up and follow through. Demonstrate your learning through changed practice, not just words. --- ## References ¹ Reconciliation Australia. _Reconciliation in Action_. [https://www.reconciliation.org.au/](https://www.reconciliation.org.au/) ² Reconciliation Australia. "Acknowledgement of Country and Welcome to Country." [https://www.reconciliation.org.au/reconciliation/acknowledgement-of-country-and-welcome-to-country/](https://www.reconciliation.org.au/reconciliation/acknowledgement-of-country-and-welcome-to-country/) ³ Common Ground. "Welcome to Country & Acknowledgement of Country." [https://www.commonground.org.au/article/welcome-to-country-acknowledgement-of-country](https://www.commonground.org.au/article/welcome-to-country-acknowledgement-of-country) ⁴ Reconciliation Australia. "A Guide to Using Respectful and Inclusive Language and Terminology." [https://www.reconciliation.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/inclusive-language-guide.pdf](https://www.reconciliation.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/inclusive-language-guide.pdf) ⁵ AIATSIS. _AIATSIS Code of Ethics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research_. [https://aiatsis.gov.au/research/ethical-research](https://aiatsis.gov.au/research/ethical-research) --- ## Next Steps Continue to **Chapter 6: Professional Standards** to understand the formal regulatory frameworks and competency requirements for Indigenous engagement in architectural practice.