Aboriginal Tent Embassy: Protocol and Agreement
INTRODUCTION
We have been given permission to camp at the Aboriginal Tent Embassy. Aboriginal people from around the country and their supporters camp on-site. We are visitors and by choosing to camp on-site we demonstrate our support for the Tent Embassy and Aboriginal Sovereignty.
The site has been the focus for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s struggle for land rights, sovereignty, autonomy, equality and self government’ for over forty years.
In addition, the embassy has successfully attracted ‘international attention on these political activities.’ It continues to play a significant part in highlighting the political, social, economic and environmental challenges facing Aboriginal people across Australia and the Torres Strait.
To show our respect, we ask that you follow this simple protocol:
WHILE AT THE TENT EMBASSY
The Tent Embassy is a dry camp. No alcohol is to be brought to or consumed on site.
Arrival at the Aboriginal Tent Embassy
On arriving at the Tent Embassy for the first time please introduce you or your group to Wiradjuri woman and elder Jenny Munro or one of the elders camping around the permanent red black and yellow caravan.
If you have a question about something, please ask. We will have a support desk set up in the main marquee at the Tent Embassy – look for the big bright banner!
There will be volunteers around who can show you where to set up camp.
Sacred Fire for Peace and Justice
Glen and Frank are two of the keepers of the sacred fire at the Aboriginal Tent Embassy. If you have any questions please ask them.
As it is a ceremonial fire we ask that you respect the following:
Placing only native wood and gum leaves on the fire.
No treated wood.
No spitting, swearing, smoking, eating or drinking is permitted around the fire.
It is not a place for general conversations. Please don’t stay around it for its warmth or overnight.
Other fires at the Tent Embassy
There are designated spaces for warming and cooking fires.
General
By attending the Students of Sustainability Conference 2014, all participants agree to these core values and principles:
References:
Websites
Leard Forest Protection Agreement http://www.lockthegate.org.au/leard_forest_protection_treaty
Last accessed: June 2014
http://www.environment.gov.au/cgibin/ahdb/search.pl?mode=place_detail;place_id=18843
Last accessed: June 2014.
We have been given permission to camp at the Aboriginal Tent Embassy. Aboriginal people from around the country and their supporters camp on-site. We are visitors and by choosing to camp on-site we demonstrate our support for the Tent Embassy and Aboriginal Sovereignty.
The site has been the focus for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s struggle for land rights, sovereignty, autonomy, equality and self government’ for over forty years.
In addition, the embassy has successfully attracted ‘international attention on these political activities.’ It continues to play a significant part in highlighting the political, social, economic and environmental challenges facing Aboriginal people across Australia and the Torres Strait.
To show our respect, we ask that you follow this simple protocol:
WHILE AT THE TENT EMBASSY
The Tent Embassy is a dry camp. No alcohol is to be brought to or consumed on site.
Arrival at the Aboriginal Tent Embassy
On arriving at the Tent Embassy for the first time please introduce you or your group to Wiradjuri woman and elder Jenny Munro or one of the elders camping around the permanent red black and yellow caravan.
If you have a question about something, please ask. We will have a support desk set up in the main marquee at the Tent Embassy – look for the big bright banner!
There will be volunteers around who can show you where to set up camp.
Sacred Fire for Peace and Justice
Glen and Frank are two of the keepers of the sacred fire at the Aboriginal Tent Embassy. If you have any questions please ask them.
As it is a ceremonial fire we ask that you respect the following:
Placing only native wood and gum leaves on the fire.
No treated wood.
No spitting, swearing, smoking, eating or drinking is permitted around the fire.
It is not a place for general conversations. Please don’t stay around it for its warmth or overnight.
Other fires at the Tent Embassy
There are designated spaces for warming and cooking fires.
General
- Be respectful and quiet after 10pm. There will be designated spaces for people who want to stay up late.
- Look after each other and each other’s belongings and valuables.
- Please avoid the rose gardens.
- Please restrict your driving to road areas, avoid driving on the grass. DO NOT block access roads with vehicles. Consider parking on roads (particularly after hours), and walking to the site.
- There will be 4 composting toilets on site. There are also public toilets nearby.
- There will be four showers on site. There are also public showers nearby.
By attending the Students of Sustainability Conference 2014, all participants agree to these core values and principles:
- We commit to maintaining and strengthening our partnerships and respectful relationships with Elders and community so that together, we can work to develop responses to the current environmental and social issues discussed at the conference.
- We will work towards bringing together Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians based on an agreed position embracing change, equity and justice.
- We aim to maintain mutual respect, by creating friendship and peace between all peoples.
- We will collectively look for ways in which we can work together to address the wellbeing of our local, regional and global communities.
- We commit to Ask First to guide all our actions, and not to make assumptions about cultural heritage and values.
References:
Websites
Leard Forest Protection Agreement http://www.lockthegate.org.au/leard_forest_protection_treaty
Last accessed: June 2014
http://www.environment.gov.au/cgibin/ahdb/search.pl?mode=place_detail;place_id=18843
Last accessed: June 2014.