Assisting APS Member Groups to build respectful relationships within local communities
Since the October 2011 signing of the Statement of Commitment to developing an APS Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), APS Member Groups throughout Australia have been bringing the RAP to life with a range of activities. Member Groups vary in their level of confidence around building respectful relationships depending on their location and history of involvement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and the National Office team overseeing the RAP frequently receives requests for guidance. This article aims to assist APS Member Groups to work in partnership with their respective Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities as they undertake reconciliation initiatives.
The APS commitment to developing respectful and meaningful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people forms the basis of all of the Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) activities. The APS RAP team has developed a number of resources to assist APS Member Groups, including two key documents: Doing Reconciliation Locally – RAP Implementation Tips for Member Groups and APS Cultural Protocols for Recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Country, Traditional Owners and Elders. These documents provide some guidance on developing respectful relationships and implementing these protocols at a local level, and can be downloaded at www.psychology.org.au/reconciliation/resources/.
Developing relationships with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
Developing genuine relationships is fundamental to reconciliation and will support other actions such as the use of cultural protocols, collaboration and partnership, as well as enhancing culturally appropriate and culturally safe psychological practice. It is particularly important that APS Member Groups develop an understanding of their local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, including knowing the Traditional Owners of the land, what the local languages, Indigenous organisations and decision-making bodies are, and developing an understanding of local histories and politics.
It can be difficult to know where to begin this process of relationship-building. A useful starting point is to contact Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations such as the Local Aboriginal Lands Council, Aboriginal Legal Service, Aboriginal Medical Service or Aboriginal Housing Office. The following national links may also be useful in mapping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander contacts in the local community.
Knowledge of the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and organisations will enable Member Groups to make contact with key services and community members. Building relationships with these services and individuals provides the opportunity to understand community dynamics such as: who the Elders and leaders in the community are and any local protocols for engaging with them; what relationships exist between the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities and services; the geographical boundaries of traditional lands; and the pre- and post-settlement history of the local community.
The APS Doing Reconciliation Locally document provides guidance around developing partnerships with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. It focuses on working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, media and business and includes tips on how to evaluate particular resources to determine their cultural appropriateness.
Cultural protocols for recognising Country
For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, Country is associated with a sense of identity, belonging, cultural understanding and spiritual beliefs. Recognising Country by attending to cultural protocols is a mark of respect for traditional practices, a recognition of the continuing relationship of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with the land, and a significant reconciliation gesture. Observing cultural protocols that recognise and show respect for Country, Elders and Traditional Custodians, organisations and individuals is most often demonstrated through the use of ‘Welcome to Country’ and ‘Acknowledgement of Country’ ceremonies and statements.
The APS Cultural Protocols document provides definitions of key terms including ‘Country’, ‘Traditional Owners’ and ‘Elders’ and explains why recognising Country is significant. The difference between a ‘Welcome to Country’ and an ‘Acknowledgement of Country’ is explained, as well as how and by whom these might be delivered. The document also outlines specific principles and recommended steps for identifying the Traditional Owners and Custodians of Country in specific areas, including consultation with the Australian Indigenous Psychologists Association (AIPA) where appropriate.
Knowledge of, and relationships with, the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community is important when conducting an Acknowledgement of Country or arranging for a Traditional Owner to perform a Welcome to Country and will help members identify any sensitivities around who the appropriate person is to conduct the Welcome. As there is often no clear answer about who is ‘authorised’ to deliver a welcome, it is important that the community is consulted appropriately and widely and the APS Cultural Protocols document is used to support that process.