Circulated to all ATSIAAG members May 2024
Please ensure all AAG Conference/AAG Event-related materials (e.g. presentations, participation, promotion) align with the following principles, guidelines, and actions.
Principles
We urge all AAG affiliates to work under the following principles.
Recognise, support and progress the rights, cultures and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. Appreciate and acknowledge the contributions that are made by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander partners, communities, collaborators, and peers whose expertise is a valuable asset that should be shared at the discretion of the knowledge holder.
- Cultural humility
Listen to others on their terms, without judgement and be open to learning. Work to understand your own biases and culturally embedded assumptions. Accept that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander delegates, peers, collaborators are communities are not obliged to share their perspective, story, or knowledge, but if they do, this should be received with care and respectfully acknowledged.
- Self-determination
Work to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have control and make free and informed choices. This requires ongoing work to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples can make decisions about matters that affect their lives without fear of discrimination and vilification.
Tips and actions you can take
Silence is OK. Leave space for people to think and consider answers.
This is a good way to start including numerous voices. For example, during the question-and-answer components of a session, note that underrepresented and marginalised groups will often self-censor so be sure to make everyone feel welcome. Make time for those who do not answer straight away. Ask those who have been able to voice their perspectives to sit quietly and allow for those who have not been heard to speak. Equally, understand that everyone may not want to speak openly in the forum so indicate other ways people can engage with you. If you see that someone is being interrupted or disrespected by another audience member where possible intervene or be sure to check with them that they are Okay. If anyone has acted inappropriately or breached the AAG Conference Code of Conduct, please report it to an AAG Staff Member or AAG Conference Official.
Acknowledging Country. We support delegates who wish to do an “Acknowledgement of Country” but only a Traditional Owner with the proper cultural authority can perform a “Welcome to Country”. AAG guidelines for Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country.
An Acknowledgement of Country allows a person of any descent to pay respect to the local community and Country by acknowledging the Custodians of the land on which the AAG Conference is being held and recognising the ongoing connection to, and custodianship of the life, land, waterways, and skies of Country. Please be advised that AAG discourages the use of ‘emerging Elders’ in an Acknowledgment of Country as the concept has been criticised for being incompatible with many Aboriginal belief systems and practices. We also encourage people to pay respects to survivors of the Stolen Generations and recognise their ongoing journey.
Use of images or recordings. Give fair warning and acknowledgment before starting the presentation.
Please advise people before presenting if you intend to show images or recordings of people who have passed and give people in the audience time to excuse themselves if needed.
When using images and recordings in presentations and promotional material in general ensure you have the permission of the people in them (i.e. they agree for you to record them or take their photo), and that the people have given consent for these images to be shown in public venues such as conferences, and where relevant, cite the source of the image if it is not yours (checking that the source is ethical and appropriately credited).
Note that audience members will take photos of your presentation unless you direct them not to. Is this something that has been discussed with and approved by Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander leadership or community involved in the project/presentation?
Context & strengths based approaches. What is the purpose of your project? Can it bring about positive change or equity in an ageing or health setting?
Pay close attention to the historical and contemporary circumstances of a particular community, or wider population group when framing your presentation or project. When you describe risk or protective factors have you considered the social determinants of health? Have you included the positive side of people’s stories, and considered what strengths or resilience (including cultural resilience) need to be included in your presentation? On the negative, what about the role of racism, colonisation and White privilege in shaping this context?
Note to reminder that equality is not equity. Equality means each individual or group of people will have the same opportunities. Equity recognises the different circumstances and allocates different resources so each group can reach the same outcomes.
Tips for more learning and things you can do before the AAG Conference / Event
Learn about the history and cultures of the local area, as well as where you live and work.
Terminology guide
Please be advised that this is a guide and not a definitive statement of correct terms and protocols.
Aboriginal People(s)
‘Aboriginal’ is an adjective and widely used to describe ‘Aboriginal people’. ‘Aboriginal Peoples’ is a collective name for the original people of Australia and their descendants and is preferable. This term emphasises the diversity of languages, communities, cultural practices and spiritual beliefs.
Do not use the words Aboriginals, Aborigine, or Aborigines, as people may associate this terminology with discriminatory policies throughout colonisation and assimilation. Instead, use Aboriginal or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person/participants/people or the terminology preferred by your Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership/advisory representatives.
Do not abbreviate when referring to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, do not abbreviate to ‘ATSI’. You may use acronyms if they pertain to specific programs, organisations, and policies. For example, the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ageing and Aged Care Council (NATSIAACC), the National Association of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Practitioners (NAATSIHWP), the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Program (NATSIFAC) or the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ageing Advisory Group (ATSIAAG).
First Nations
First Nations is an increasingly prevalent term in Australia and has recently been promoted in the works of government and academics. It is a term popularised by First Nations in Canada but has become more prominent in Australia in recent years to create an inclusive collective term for ‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’. This term is not the preferred term of many Elders and older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and therefore we recommend checking in with your Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership/advisory representatives as to whether this is appropriate for your work.
Indigenous
The term Indigenous is generally used when referring to both First Peoples of Australia – Aboriginal Peoples and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. ‘Indigenous’ is commonly used as shorthand to include both, mostly in government and academic writing. ‘Indigenous’ can refer to the global phenomenon of peoples whose lands were colonised, as is recognised in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples for example. Some people prefer the use of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples instead because the word ‘Indigenous’ fails to recognise the uniqueness and distinct cultural heritage of these First Peoples.
Elder
Most commonly, an Elder is someone who has gained recognition as a custodian of knowledge and lore, and who has permission to pass on knowledge and beliefs. Age alone does not necessarily distinguish an Elder. It is important to be respectful and not to be overly familiar in addressing or referring to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders. For example, it may not be appropriate to call someone Aunty or Uncle unless they have given you that permission.
Sorry Business and protocols for deceased peoples
Sorry Business is the mourning rituals, ceremonies and protocols that follow the death of an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person. Whilst these are culturally distinct across different communities it is a sombre time where many activities and events are paused or postponed. It should also be noted that some communities forbid the use of the name of a deceased person. You should always check on the correct protocol from the local community when the time is appropriate. In some instances, another name is used for a period after death or permanently. Moreover, after death or during grieving times, it may not be appropriate to share or use images/recordings of the person who has died. You should always respectfully check with the family and that community.
When at the AAG Conference / Event
Cultural load.
Please be mindful of the cultural load that many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander delegates take on when entering predominantly non-Indigenous spaces, such as the AAG Conference / Event. The cultural load is the (often invisible) additional workload carried by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, in situations where they are the sole Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person or where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are a small minority. The cultural load includes expectations of non-Indigenous colleagues that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will provide access to their knowledge, support other’s learning journeys and educate them about racism, or expect them to talk on behalf of all Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.
Vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue.
Mainstream spaces that are not trauma-aware and healing-informed increase the risk of inducing vicarious trauma. That is, continually revisiting intergenerational trauma takes its toll on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander delegates, who are already working to accommodate two worlds. It can also be difficult to disconnect from being in education or advocacy roles so allow people space to heal, debrief or disconnect. Sometimes presentations will raise unwanted memories, experiences, and emotions for people in the audience. This additional cultural load, and the cumulative effects of empathetic engagement with non-Indigenous delegates, can result in burnout or “compassion fatigue” for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander delegates.
Acknowledge and outline your engagement approach.
Describe how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and advisors shaped the project. For example, did you have an advisory group? Are some of your investigators and researchers Elders or respected cultural authorities? Name ways you incorporated or responded to community feedback and consultation. Talk about ways the community will be better off for engaging in this project or work.
Further resources
- AAG has a prepared an Acknowledgement of Country with Content Warning PowerPoint slide for AAG events, please contact the office for the latest version.
- Ethical guidelines for research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples