ABC Online Indigenous - Education - Resources

Cultural Protocol

How to Contact the Community

As stated in other sections of the Protocol document, each community has individual and unique reasons and beliefs. You can never generalise about what you do for one community is then exactly the same for another, even if it is a neighbouring community. It is recommended that you approach each community and request with respect what you would like to do and ask each community individually

One question that is always raised is "how do you contact the right people and the right community".

As a general rule Community Council, often described as Lands Council, governs most communities..
Otherwise, many communities have a media unit, either run by a BRACS (Broadcasting for Remote Aboriginal Community Services) set up or a community run media unit. The local media group should always handle most questions for media coverage if there is a media group for that area
The third way of contacting community members and family members is through the medical centres or through the education centres. They may not be able to assist you with material, they will however, know the appropriate people to contact.

Below we have provided links to some of the larger Land Councils and Media groups to help you find your way.

Some points to remember

Most often decisions are never made by one single individual. A committee makes most decisions. It will take time. Do not leave permission for permits and interviews till the last minute. It can take months
Most communities you go to will require a Permit. Each member of your crew will need to be included in the permit. Make sure that you are fully aware of what communities you are allowed to work in. You may need more than one permit for the larger communities.
Some communities may need more than one permit. You may need to get permission not only from the Community Land Council, but you may need it from the Media Centre and either the Health Centre or Education Centre. One permit may not be sufficient.
Always consider that the communities you travel in have alcohol, drugs and petrol bans. Please check what you are permitted to bring into the communities. Many communities only use diesel.

Links to National, Regional and Local Aboriginal Land Councils:

Indigenous Land Corporation - http://www.ilc.gov.au/
NSW Aboriginal Land Council - http://www.alc.org.au/
Central Land Council Alice Springs, Northern Territory - http://www.clc.org.au
Northern Land Council - http://www.nlc.org.au/
Goldfields Land and Sea Council - http://www.glc.com.au/
Gundjehmi Aboriginal Corporation - Mirrar people from the Kakadu Region, NT http://www.mirrar.net/gac.html
FAIRA Aboriginal Corporation -Sydney, New South Wales - http://www.faira.org.au/
Noongar land Council -Perth, Western Australia http://www.noongar.org.au/
Yarrabah Aboriginal Council - North Queensland -http://www.indiginet.com.au/yarrabah/council.htm
Wadeye Community - western edge of the Daly River Reserve - Northern Territory http://www.indiginet.com.au/wadeye/council.htm
Western Australia Regions and Offices to contact - http://www.dia.wa.gov.au/ (Click on the Region buttons)
South Australia Aboriginal Health Services - http://www.service.sa.gov.au/ContentPages/directories/indigenous.aspx#health

Indigenous Land Corporation - Head Office (08) 8216 4100 http://www.ilc.gov.au/
Level 9, 44 Waymouth Street, GPO Box 652 ADELAIDE SA 5000
Central Divisional Office - (08) 8216 4102
Eastern Divisional Office - (07) 3854 4600
Western Divisional Office - (08) 9420 6300
Land Enterprise Australia - (02) 6269 2500
Freecall - 1800 818 490

Links to Authorities
TSRA
The Chairperson Torres Strait Regional Authority PO Box 261 Thursday Island Qld 4875 Phone (07) 4069 0700 Freecall 1800 079 093 Fax (07) 4069 1879 http://www.tsra.gov.au/

Links to Media Organisations
CAAMA Central Australia Aboriginal Media Association
http://www.caama.com.au

Warlpiri Media Association - http://www.warlpiri.com.au/ - Yuendumu, NT.

Goolari Media - Broome, WA http://www.gme.com.au

« F.A.Q. | Death in a Community »