Aboriginal Motifs

Functions and Philosophies

“Protocols are about peoples value systems and cultural beliefs.”

Respect:

When creating a visual art piece, it’s advised that people respect the following points:

• The original inhabitants of Australia were Indigenous Australians, Aboriginals and Torres Straight Islanders.
• The indigenous people have a right to control and own their culture.
• The cultural significance of indigenous arts should be respected.
• Outdated and inappropriate perspectives and terminology should not be used.
• Indigenous cultures are still in existence today.

Communication, consultation and consent:

When communicating, consulting and seeking consent, the following should be remembered:

• Consent is always required when intending to reproduce or reuse indigenous visual arts and crafts especially if traditional designs relating to particular communities are involved.
• Commonly owned material such as ritual knowledge and dreamtime stories may require wider consultation across a number of communities.
• There may be gender divisions of equality that people need to be aware of.
• There may be artists in remote communities that require interpreters.
• Sensitive content may require special consent

Moral Rights and Issues:

• “Existing moral rights are individual rights only”.
• The Australian Federal Government drafted a proposal to amend the Copyright Act to include indigenous moral rights, which proposes that copyright is included for indigenous works and films.
• It means that there will be mutual commitment between the indigenous community and the maker of the film or work.
• There also needs to be acknowledgement of the community’s association with the work.