Respectful Communication &
Engagement

There is no one size fits all for engaging with First Nations communities but most often, an open-minded approach, mutual respect and recognition of cultural authority are effective starting principles.

Operators will find that the ability to determine best practices for communication and engagement with First Nations people is somewhat limited due to the diverse perspectives and approaches that exist across different groups. Different avenues exist depending on factors of readiness and receptiveness to commercial opportunities. Therefore, we recognise there is no “one size fits all”. Regardless, it remains worthwhile to engage in and practice Indigenous protocols wherever possible, to benefit the reconciliation process and ensure that Culture is preserved and celebrated.

Respectful Communication & Engagement

How does an organisation prepare itself?

To adequately prepare for a partnership, tourism operators can undertake education and training in cultural competencies. If this expertise is not available internally, this can be done through an Indigenous-led consultancy or education service. While a consultancy may not represent all First Nations people’s connection to Country or Traditional Knowledge, they should have the ability to bridge the gap between an organisation’s work and initiatives and desired outcomes for First Nations communities, which serve as an important foundation for a partnership.

Cultural training, while critical, is only one component. Eventually, policies and practices around Indigenous engagement should be established as part of the organisational fabric.

What does respectful engagement look like?

Permissions should be sought and obtained in a respectful way from the relevant Custodians when dealing with Traditional Knowledge and stories from First Nations people, honouring the connection to Country and authority that First Nations people hold. This is particularly pertinent, when recording interactions, cultural practices, or forms of artistic expression. If permission is obtained, there should also be fair compensation for their use in commercial settings. The Arts Law Centre of Australia advises on adequate licensing for stories and art.

When engaging with First Nations people as a tourism operator, taking care and having patience in interactions will be critical. Historically, relations between a First Nations community and non-Indigenous groups may not have been positive so trust must first be established over a period of time. The community may also lack the capacity to engage fully with tourism business opportunities, and you cannot assume that one person speaks for all. However, if and when a community is ready and receptive to a partnership, there are ways to assemble a project group to guide cultural protocols and ensure appropriate ways of operating.

Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia

Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia undertook a thorough consultation process with the Anangu people to bring to guests the Wintjiri Wiru experience at Uluru, which tells the Mala story using new technology.

The process involved a two-year consultation with Anangu elders who had cultural authority on telling the story.
The story was considered very sacred and therefore Culture had to be at the forefront of every decision.
The consultation was done with a permanent working group of Anangu elders, who now guide Voyages in their cultural practices.
They engaged the Arts Law Centre to ensure they were fairly licensing and paying for the content. The license fees are now invested into projects for the benefit of the community.

What else should an operator consider?

Identifying and recognising whose Country you are operating on is also important, no matter what experiences you are delivering. This process can be assisted by local land councils or PBCs.

When writing or speaking about First Nations people, Culture and experiences, it is important to recognise their currency, continuity and diversity. That is, not to relegate them to history or past tense, but rather to honour their continuing and current presence and significance, as well as the diversity of geo-cultural groups and identities that exist across Australia.

Engagement and communication with First Nations people for the purposes of forming a partnership for Indigenous Tourism should be extensive and conducted on an equal basis. This means having awareness and understanding of the Culture and practices of the community and incorporating fair compensation for their knowledge and art.

As a result, the journey to building a partnership that serves to benefit First Nations peoples will take time and effort. To ensure the commitment is sustained, the ethical justification for engaging should be well-established in the organisation from the beginning.