Our Culture Doesn’t Need Council Approval

Our Culture Doesn’t Need Council Approval

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Across Australia, some politicians and councillors have been trying to downplay the history of First Nations People as the traditional owners of country and their ongoing custodianship and continuing culture. 

It is sad First Nations culture is being used as a political football. 

Councils and elected officials should be bringing people together, not manufacturing division for political gain.

Across Australia, some politicians and councillors have been trying to downplay the history of First Nations People as the traditional owners of country and their ongoing custodianship and continuing culture. 

It is sad First Nations culture is being used as a political football. 

Councils and elected officials should be bringing people together, not manufacturing division for political gain.

Our Culture Doesn’t Need Council Approval

Right now, Federation Council, in the Murray River region of NSW, is considering new “protocols” to stop flying the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags alongside the Australian flag at all times, except during NAIDOC and Reconciliation weeks. 

The protocols will also ban Welcome to Country ceremonies at Council events, unless a majority of Councillors specifically vote to allow one to occur. They plan to vote on the new protocols next year.

Proposals like this undermine respect for First Nations peoples, culture, and sovereignty.

Tell Federation Council that Our Culture Doesn’t Need Council Approval.

The undersigned call on Federation Council to stop the culture wars and focus on the community.

We call on Councillors to follow the recommendations of the Southern West Yiradyuri Clans Land, Water and Sky Country Aboriginal Corporation:

  1. Withdraw the changes proposed in the draft Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Protocols

  2. Continue to fly the Indigenous flag year-round in chambers and civic spaces, 

  3. Engage with traditional owners and Aboriginal organisations to co-design future cultural protocols and, 

  4. Undertake culturally grounded awareness and truth-telling for councillors and senior staff.

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