Latest news with #CulturalRespect
News.com.au
7 days ago
- Politics
- News.com.au
Sussan Ley says 'time and place' for Acknowledgement of Country after National Press Club speech
Sussan Ley has said Acknowledgements of Country should not become a box ticking exercise, and that there is a 'time and a place' for the declaration during her first major speech as Opposition Leader. Her words were a departure from the stance taken by her predecessor Peter Dutton, with acknowledgement of country statements notably missing from major Liberal Party events and speeches during the election, like the official campaign launch in Western Sydney. Speaking to the National Press Club on Wednesday, Ms Ley began her speech 'acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the land on which we meet today'. Asked on Thursday if her speech 'settled' the debate on Acknowledgements and Welcome to Country, Ms Ley said neither should be overused. 'Look I think Acknowledgements of Country have their place, but in significant moments like yesterday was one of those places,' she told ABC radio. 'And as Environment Minister and Health Minister, I listened carefully and I participated in what I would describe as meaningful Welcome to Country ceremonies that involved the circumstances of Indigenous Australians with respect to our natural environment and their own health that were relevant and important.' Continuing, she said: 'I don't think it should be ticking a box on a teams meeting'. 'I don't think it should be at every work meeting, because I think that actually diminishes the value of what it is. 'So there is a time and a place, and it's about striking the right balance.' Her comments follow a factitious election campaign where Mr Dutton avoided giving Acknowledgement to Country statements, said Welcome to Country ceremonies were overdone and went as far to say he didn't support Welcome to Country ceremonies on Anzac Day. Speaking to the Opposition party room in Canberra on Thursday, Ms Ley said the Coalition needed to 'rebuild with humility' and represent a diverse range of groups following the 'sobering' election loss. 'Our job is to present that alternative narrative for Australians so they look at us and know that we're a party that respects, reflects and will represent modern Australia, and we can restore their faith and trust in us,' she said. Nationals Leader David Littleproud urged the party to 'come out swinging'. 'So while it's, it's humbling and it's, it's disappointing the election result, you can do one of two things: you can get in the foetal position, give up, or you can come out swinging,' he said. 'And being from western Queensland, we always take the latter. 'So let's come out swinging. Let's hold this government to account, and let's show Australians that we are here for them and we have the solutions for them.'
RNZ News
07-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Aboriginal and Māori groups call for apology after 'dispespectful' treatment of Welcome to Country
Indigenous communities across the Tasman are calling for greater respect following backlash and "shocking and disappointing" treatment] of a cultural ritual and formal ceremony - Welcome to Country. On Anzac Day, an Aboriginal Bunurong Elder, Uncle Mark Brown, was heckled during a Welcome to Country at Melbourne's dawn service . That evening, Wurundjeri Elder Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin was told at the last minute that her Welcome to Country at the Storm vs Rabbitohs game had been cancelled - leaving her "heartbroken." Djirri Djirri, who are the only Wurundjeri female dance group and traditional custodians of Narrm (Melbourne) alongside Wurundjeri Elder Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin (right). Photo: Djirri Djirri To make a stand, the Djirri Djirri, who are the only Wurundjeri female dance group and traditional custodians of Narrm (Melbourne), refused to take the stage. A Māori rōpū, Ngā Mātai Pūrua Kapa Haka, who were also set to perform, chose to stand in solidarity with their First Nation brothers and sisters and decided to "boycott." Djirri Djirri dancer Ky-ya Nicholson-Ward (Wurundjeri, Dja Dja Wurrung, Ngurai illum Wurrung) told RNZ the moment felt surreal. "My first emotion was shock and disbelief," she said. "Seeing Aunty upset, we all knew we weren't going to go goes against our protocols to be told 'no' on our unceded lands." Nicholson-Ward said that the Storm's CEO claimed the decision was made "to protect them" - but their group had already prepared for possible backlash. "We all came to an agreement that if anything does have our babies with us, and we need to stay strong and stay humble." She called the Storms decision to say no to a senior Wurundjeri elder "shocking and disappointing." "That's a next level of disrespect." Photo: AFP / TREVOR COLLENS In a statement, Melbourne Storm said it acknowledged the miscommunication and would meet with those involved. "There was some confusion on [ANZAC day] and we take responsibility for that," Storm chairman Matt Tripp said. "We apologise for the misunderstanding and will be meeting with them to clear this up." The club also said it would continue discussions with First Nations and Māori communities to strengthen its relationships. That evening, Wurundjeri Elder Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin was told at the last minute that her Welcome to Country at the Storm vs Rabbitohs game had been cancelled - leaving her "heartbroken." To make a stand, the Djirri Djirri, who are the only Wurundjeri female dance group and traditional custodians of Narrm (Melbourne), refused to take the stage. A Māori rōpū, Ngā Mātai Pūrua Kapa Haka, who were also set to perform, chose to stand in solidarity with their First Nation brothers and sisters and decided to "boycott." Djirri Djirri, who are the only Wurundjeri female dance group and traditional custodians of Narrm (Melbourne) alongside Wurundjeri Elder Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin (right). Photo: Djirri Djirri Djirri Djirri dancer Ky-ya Nicholson-Ward (Wurundjeri, Dja Dja Wurrung, Ngurai illum Wurrung) told RNZ the moment felt surreal. "My first emotion was shock and disbelief Nicholson-Ward said there is a common misconception within Australia on what a Welcome to Country is. From her whakaaro: "A Welcome to Country has been done since time immemorial and isn't about welcoming people to Australia, which is a common misconception" Nicholson-Ward says sharing their knowledge and strength to the next generation is so important as their culture has been sleeping. Photo: Djirri Djirri "It's when an elder from the language group - on which the event is gathered - welcomes people to their traditional lands and cleanses people of any negative energy or spirits to make sure the space is a safe space." She said, "It's honouring the people, the land, animals, waterways, and the spirits of these lands that we gather on and acknowledging the ongoing connection that we have to our traditional countries." "It's also to grant safe space, safe passage whilst traveling through or visiting someone else's Country. It's also a chance to educate, unite, and connect through our shared histories and also connect to the oldest continuous culture in the world." She said a Welcome to Country is also only done by an elder of that community. "A lot of people think it's welcoming people to Australia and that's why we get a lot of racist remarks. Like, 'I don't need to be welcomed to my own country.' But when you don't have a clue about what a Welcome to Country is... It's using it as a debate." Nicholson-Ward said their decision to boycott was about protecting future generations. "Sharing our knowledge and strength to the next generation is so important as we're an oral language and we're storytellers, and that's how our culture's been taught from generation to generation." She traced that duty back to her great-grandmother, who she said was forcibly removed from Wurundjeri Country and sent to Coranderrk Mission at Healesville - "where many First Nations people were sent to live on missions and reserves, like animals." After the Melbourne Storm cancelled a Welcome to Country by Wurundjeri Elder Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin on ANZAC day, Djirri Djirri and Ngā Mātai Pūrua Kapa Haka refused to perform - calling for more respect to indigenous elders and customs. Photo: Djirri Djirri "They were forbidden to speak their language, forbidden to practice their culture," she said. "For generations after, my great-grandmothers culture has been sleeping and now we're awakening our culture and our language within my mum's generation, my generation." Nicholson-Ward said she wants the future generations to grow up knowing their heritage with pride, not shame. "We want the next generation to stand up for what they believe in, to grow up in spaces where their voices are heard and respected. That's why we were so passionate on the day, because [our babies] were in our arms, I thought, if we don't stop this disrespect, how will our babies grow up in a safe space in the future?" Tyson Tuala, President and spokesperson for Ngā Mātai Pūrua, said the group stood in immediate solidarity with Djirri Djirri and Aunty Joy. "We really recognise the vastness and absolute desecration of culture here," Tuala said. "We've seen the sleeping, multiple different groups not heard of, multiple iwi, clans, mob, tribes, reduced down to single digits, and many lost." "In those positions, no doubt we could've got up, we could've said a few things. We could've definitely sung, haka. We decided to stay silent so that the full respect to our First Nation brothers and sisters could be felt in that space." Photo: LDR / Laura Smith Tuala said no person outside of a specific culture should enter into a debate about whether or not a cultural protocol is appropriate. "If you let happen next to you or around you, then you are now complicit in actions that happen against your culture on your land." He called the decision to cancel the Welcome to Country "comical". "No culture should feel the indignity of having somebody choose whether or not their practices are appropriate. And two, if you are on this land and it's not yours, you should treat it as good, if not better than your own home." Nicholson-Ward thanked Māori whānau in Aotearoa and Te Whenua Moemoea for their tautoko. "We can all connect to the mistreatment, the attempted genocide and the colonial ways and the transgenerational trauma that we're all a part of in this generation," she said. "I think that's why the Māori community feels that pain as well. When another First Nation people are targeted and told they cannot speak their language anymore or mistreated in any way, we all feel that pain." Djirri Djirri lead dancer Ky-ya Nicholson-Ward says she wants the next generation to stand up for what they believe in and to grow up in spaces where their voices are not only heard but respected. Photo: Djaambi Photography (Benny Clark) "I think that's exactly why on the day, the solidarity and union was instant. It's that universal feeling that we can all relate to." "We all carry that transgenerational trauma from generation to generation. But I think it's our time now to break those barriers, stop those cycles and pass down that generational strength." Nicholson-Ward said she wants organisations to take accountability, show respect and build genuine connections with Indigenous communities and their elders. "We want to feel their willingness to reach out and respect our cultures and learn properly. Learn the protocols, learn why we were so upset, and truly understand what a Welcome to Country is, and the spirituality and culture that we all connect to." She said it's time for wider Australia to embrace its indigenous identity. "We are the oldest living culture in the world and I feel like it's important for people and regular Australians to embrace it. It's the nation's culture and it seems that it's always swept under the rug." "And we want an apology, as simple as that." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
