Aboriginal Tourism Protocols

Indigenous Australia: a country of many ‘countries’

Australia has numerous Indigenous language groups and cultures. Australian Indigenous peoples include Torres Strait Islanders who are culturally distinct from Aboriginal Australians. Each has a vibrant culture of which they are immensely proud. The diversity of languages, cultural beliefs and customs add to the complexity and richness of Indigenous cultures. There are between 200 – 250 distinctive language groups and around 700 dialects. Each language group occupies a distinct area or territory and has unique cultural practices...

Wherever you visit in Australia, you will travel across, or stay in country significant to Indigenous people. From the remotest location in Tasmania to Australia’s north and including our cosmopolitan cities, you are visiting the traditional lands of Indigenous Australians.

Indigenous versus Aboriginal

The term Aboriginal is widely recognised by International visitors as referring to Indigenous people in Australia. When including Torres Strait Islander people, it is common practice to use the term Indigenous or collectively to refer to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. Tourism Australia often uses the term Aboriginal in external marketing due to the higher overseas recognition, and it is intended to be inclusive of Torres Strait Islanders.

As many of the protocols herein refer to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, and it has primarily an informational focus (as opposed to a consumer marketing focus), the term Indigenous is used. To some degree the terms are used interchangeably to allow the best possible chance to effectively engage with our readers.

Indigenous Heritage

Indigenous Australians include all people who identify as Indigenous, and are accepted as Indigenous by their communities where they live, or come from. In the Indigenous community the proportion of a person’s Indigenous ancestry is not relevant. It is not considered appropriate to question a person’s Indigenous heritage based on their physical characteristics. If they identify as an Indigenous person, are recognised by their community as being Indigenous, and are sharing their Indigenous culture with visitors to Australia, then the product is considered to be an authentic Indigenous experience.

Spiritual connections

Indigenous people have a unique relationship to the land and waters of their ‘country’. This relationship encompasses a responsibility to look after the spiritual and environmental wellbeing of country. Responsibilities include acknowledging and paying respect to the spirit ancestors who created the land, its customs and languages. Responsibilities to care for country are defined through traditional law.

Balancing culture and business

Travelling in a responsible way includes respecting your hosts, and their country. Community values, traditions, family and connection to the land are especially important to Indigenous people and this is reflected in the way that they interact with visitors and conduct their tourism businesses. Some cultural considerations may make it challenging for travel planners and travellers, who rely on predetermined fixed itineraries.

With a little knowledge, flexibility and understanding, it is possible to enjoy the enriching aspects of cultural interactions whilst accommodating the cultural values of your hosts. Tourism enables families and communities to stay on their land, in areas where they have their kinship ties. By supporting these entrepreneurs you’ll be helping to provide longevity for their communities and make a valuable contribution to keeping their culture alive.

Responsible travel

The choices you make when travelling do make a difference. Use the following points as a guide.

Respect privacy

• Many Indigenous communities or lands require permits to enter – this helps ensure people’s privacy. You may need to organise permits with land or community councils well in advance. 
• If you are visiting an Indigenous community, wait until you are invited to approach homes or groups of people. 
• Funerals and cultural ceremonies are times of special privacy – use extra sensitivity in communities at these times. In some communities, the name of the deceased may not be used, mentioned or referred to where those in mourning can hear or read. Reproductions and photographs of the deceased are also not permitted.

Respect restrictions 

• There may be places that are closed to visitors because of their cultural significance – heed advice if you are asked not to enter an area. 
• In some places it is culturally inappropriate to swim or fish in waterways, waterholes and/or the ocean.
• Some places can only be visited by either men or women – please respect these protocols where they apply to non-Indigenous people. 
• When in doubt about where you can or cannot go, it is good practice to ‘ask first’. 
• The possession or consumption of alcohol is restricted in some Indigenous communities – these restrictions also apply to visitors.

Talking to Indigenous people 

• If you are talking to an Indigenous person, recognise that they may communicate differently to non-Indigenous people – English may be a second or third language. 
• In some Indigenous cultures there were once strict rules about eye contact. Hence you may find that some people still follow this practice and may not make eye contact with you. Not making eye contact or lowering the eyes is often used to show respect to older people or persons in authority. 
• Using the hand to point can sometimes be seen as being disrespectful. A
• Access to specific cultural knowledge or stories may not be open to everyone – it is best to avoid direct questions about matters that could be sensitive, unless you are invited to do so. 
• Clothing etiquette applies when visiting some Indigenous communities – if in doubt avoid wearing short skirts, short shorts or other revealing clothes.

Punctuality 

• Time and appointment structures work differently in different communities and you may need to show some flexibility in start and finishing times. If you are on a particularly tight schedule, you may need to discuss your constraints with your guide to ensure your requirements can be met. 
• When you are in an Indigenous community, let the people set the pace. 
• Often, the use of time in remote communities is dictated by the seasons and daily environmental changes.

Taking photographs and filming 

• Always ask before filming or taking photos of a person, a group of people or cultural activities. 
• Photographing and filming some places and objects may be restricted for cultural reasons – please respect this important request from traditional owners. 
• If you intend to use your photographs in a publication or for other commercial purposes, you will need to seek copyright permission from the people featured in the photo.