What are cultural events and ceremonies?

In a First Nations context, a cultural event is a gathering that shares and celebrates First Nations Culture, such as a festival, art exhibition, or performance. These are often public and designed to bring people together to learn and connect.

By contrast, a cultural ceremony is a sacred or community-specific practice, such as a smoking ceremony, initiation, or Sorry Business. Ceremonies are often guided by cultural law and protocols and may be restricted to certain people or contexts.

There are also important or significant dates to be aware of. These dates may hold cultural or historical significance, such as NAIDOC Week, January 26, or the anniversary of a local event.

It is possible, even common, for cultural events, ceremonies, and significant dates to overlap—for example, a cultural event may include a Welcome to Country ceremony, or a significant date may be commemorated through a public gathering.

Organising a First Nations cultural event or celebration

To ensure the cultural safety and integrity of cultural events involving First Nations participants and Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP), there are some points that event organisers can keep in mind.

Make it First Nations-led

When organising cultural events or seeking to include cultural aspects in events, it is important to involve First Nations people. Local Traditional Owners or community representatives should participate and lead in planning, design and delivery of any First Nations-related event, subject to their personal wishes to be involved, of course.

First Nations communities are the experts in First Nations Cultures, and have the right to speak for Culture. Without First Nations leadership in cultural events, it is possible to unintentionally undermine the self-determination of First Nations people by overlooking their right to manage how Culture is shared and represented, or to misrepresent or overlook important cultural protocols and meanings. 

Where events may relate to a diversity of cultures, it is still recommended to involve First Nations people in the planning and decision-making process. 

If aspects of Culture are used without proper context, permission, respect or payment, there is a risk of cultural appropriation. Involving and empowering the perspectives of people whose cultures are represented helps to avoid this risk. 

Why location matters

All of Australia is Country.

Every potential location is deeply connected to the First Nations peoples who have lived on, cared for, and nurtured that Country or location. Where your event is held matters. 

For example, if you’re holding an art exhibition, consider including local artists from that Country whose work reflects the stories and significance of that Country, alongside any off-Country artists. 

You should consult with local First Nations peoples to plan a balance between: 

• contributions from local Traditional Owners
• First Nations peoples from other language or nation groups who are also connected to this place, and
• Traditional Owners of this land who live on other Country areas, who may wish to be involved.

Always follow local cultural protocols of where the event is held. These protocols guide how to act respectfully on Country and help you avoid unintentional cultural missteps. When in doubt, seek guidance from your local Indigenous Land Council or community organisation.

Recognise and identify ICIP and cultural content

Examples of Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) and cultural content at an event include:

• Speakers or event participants may share Traditional Knowledge or personal stories based on their identities as First Nations people
• Traditional Cultural Expression such as languages, body painting and art, or stories based on their own experience and identity as a First Nations person
• Performances such as ceremonies including, Smoking Ceremonies, Welcome to Country, dance, music and song
• Cultural objects being exhibited or produced at the venue, such as, art, tools, clothing, jewellery, traditional clothing, ritual objects, musical instruments, baskets and traditional food
• The event may be held at a historically or culturally significant site
• An event may contain documentation of First Nations peoples’ heritage including, videos or films, photographic displays, or other types of recorded materials. 

Learn more about Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP).

Record and engage with ICIP respectfully

ICIP is often on display or performed at First Nations events. 

Event organisers have a responsibility to ensure that ICIP displayed or performed at events is treated with respect by event attendees. 

Even where ICIP is being performed or publicly displayed, event attendees should not assume that they can photograph, video or record that ICIP.  ICIP is cultural property and recording it may go against cultural protocols. 

Recording may also create copyright works, which can result in First Nations Traditional Custodians losing control of their ICIP. This breaches Article 31 of UNDRIP, under which 'Indigenous peoples have the right to maintain, control, protect and develop their cultural heritage, traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions'.  Unauthorised recording and use can also interfere with the cultural integrity of ICIP which is linked to the entire community.

For official recordings of events, event organisers should negotiate with First Nations ICIP custodians for the custodians to own any copyright or, at least, to co-own the copyright as tenants in common. 

Some events may also allow attendees to participate in cultural activities, such as weaving workshops or bush food tours. These experiences are a great way to offer cultural richness and support people to learn about the depth and vitality of First Nations Cultures. However, First Nations cultural protocols often have rules about how knowledge can be shared, and with whom. It may not be appropriate for non-First Nations people to go away and continue those practices by themselves, or to teach other people to do those things.

Learn more about respectful use and sharing of ICIP.

Protect ICIP

Event organisers should support attendees to do the right thing by using signs and communication materials to educate attendees about ICIP. 

Event organisers can play their part in protecting ICIP by: 

• Identifying where ICIP may be present at the event.
• Talking to ICIP custodians about relevant cultural protocols, and how they would like ICIP to be managed.
• Developing an IP and ICIP management strategy for the event.
• Organising participant consent or release forms to record individuals’ consents to be photographed or recorded. These may be signed by First Nations performers or by event attendees, depending on the context.
• Displaying signage, notices or warnings to encourage respectful conduct and to control media usage and recording of the event.
• Provide guidelines or protocols to set out appropriate conduct expected from visitors and the media. This could be as simple as asking audience members to agree to a short statement when buying a ticket. 

Learn more about practical ways to protect ICIP.

Pay First Nations collaborators and participants

Cultural events can generate both short- and long-term economic benefits, including business opportunities and employment. It is important and respectful to pay First Nations collaborators and participants for their time, expertise, and for sharing their Culture and ICIP. 

If you are engaging local Traditional Owners or community members — for example, to collaborate or advise on an event, deliver a Welcome to Country, conduct a Smoking Ceremony, or share ICIP such as language or cultural knowledge — you should expect to offer appropriate payment for their work and contribution. 

Expect to also pay a fee if you intend to record, use or distribute any materials or recordings that contain ICIP.

Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country

Incorporating Acknowledgements of Country and Welcomes to Country as normal practice for meetings, events and in work practices shows respect and recognition that we are always on First Nations land.

There are important differences between a Welcome to Country and an Acknowledgment of Country. There are also many ways to give either an Acknowledgment or a Welcome. It is important to know the difference and to ensure respect.

Learn more about:

• Welcomes to Country — when to have one and how to organise one
• Acknowledgments of Country — when and how to give one 

Significant calendar dates for First Nations in Australia

The following dates are significant to First Nations Australians. 

• 26 January – many First Nations Australians do not support celebrating this date and see January 26 as a day of mourning.
• Anniversary of National Apology Day (13 February)
• National Closing the Gap Day (20 March)
• National Sorry Day (26 May)
• National Reconciliation Week (27 May to 3 June, always concluding on Mabo Day)
• 1967 Referendum Anniversary (27 May)
• Mabo Day (3 June)
• Coming of the Light Festival (1 July)
• NAIDOC Week (First week of July)
• National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day (4 August)
• International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples (9 August)