Skip links and keyboard navigation

Visiting a remote community

Contacting the community

It is important to make contact with the community through the appropriate channels and in the appropriate manner when planning to visit. Public officials across government with established links with a community are a very good source of advice and support in making contact with the appropriate community members. It is important to be formally introduced to the community by an appropriate person.

Ways of seeking permission to visit a community for a meeting can vary from community to community. For example, when visiting some regional and remote communities it is important to seek permission to visit from the relevant council.

It is also advisable to contact the Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Regional Offices or the Cape York Strategy Unit. The Cape York Strategy Unit can provide advice about communities and help to coordinate visits to Cape York communities. The Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships regional offices located in other parts of the state provide similar advice and assist in coordinating visits to communities outside of the Cape York region. A full listing of the Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Regional Offices is included at the back of this document.

Once it has been established who is the most appropriate person to speak with in a community, contact should first be made by phone. Issues which should be discussed and agreed upon include:

  • purpose and objectives of the visit
  • proposed role of community
  • possible participants
  • date and time of meeting, especially whether it clashes with another event
  • the need to involve local translators or interpreters
  • transportation and physical mobility of participants
  • materials and resources required for the meeting and who will bring what
  • arrival and departure times
  • venue options
  • accommodation options (if necessary).

Phone contact should be followed by a letter about the project and meetings to allow early informal discussion of any issues that may arise.

Providing the Traditional Owners or community representatives with detailed information about the proposed engagement activity and the role requested of them is an essential step in developing a cooperative working relationship and building a common vision.

Preparing for a meeting

Protocols for engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people vary between communities and change over time. While government agencies have different views about correct protocols, communities are very clear on their established methods of following customs and lores. Depending on the information gathered during planning phases, the following elements may be useful to incorporate when preparing for an engagement activity:

  • planning leading up to the meeting should involve a range of telephone and/or face-to-face contact with key community representatives to explain the purpose of the meeting and to provide any relevant background documentation
  • financial assistance to cover expenses such as transportation should be considered to ensure that participants are not out of pocket
  • the agenda for the meeting should be agreed including appropriate consensus about how local protocols will be acknowledged and followed during the meeting
  • consider the importance of sharing and providing food as part of the engagement process to ensure that sufficient breaks are included throughout the event. Often successful engagement happens during breaks which provide an opportunity for participants to approach public officials individually to discuss their views
  • before starting the meeting consider the number of people already in attendance. Community members have many responsibilities including family and work commitments. Give people time to arrive at community engagement events and be prepared to allow some time after the scheduled start before opening
  • introduce yourself and ask the most appropriate person to perform the welcome at the meeting; it may be an Elder or other respected community member
  • before discussions begin acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the area. This is a mark of respect and will assist you in building a positive relationship with the group. For example, ‘I would like to take this opportunity to honour and pay my respects to the Traditional Owners of this land on which we meet today’
  • at meetings involving Torres Strait Islanders consider that they may choose to open the meeting with prayer.

During a meeting you should:

  • demonstrate that you understand and are sensitive to the different communication styles used — particularly the use of nonverbal communication
  • demonstrate that you have understood community members’ views by listening and then clarifying the outcomes of negotiations
  • link purposes, information and events to local culture and events; this will ensure the material is contextually relevant and that cultural respect is demonstrated
  • speak clearly and at a measured pace when addressing a meeting and loudly enough to ensure all participants can hear and understand what is being said
  • provide the group with brief but appropriate information about yourself
  • describe the agenda and timeframes for the engagement activity
  • minimise the use of government jargon — if government terminology is necessary, explain the term or phrase and the concept surrounding it
  • use your own style of speech; do not try to mimic Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander speech or words
  • be inclusive of the participants at the meeting by inviting those interested to participate
  • refer to the community members and community Elders as ‘Mr’ or ‘Mrs’ unless you have been advised otherwise, or you have already established relationships with them.
  • Avoid referring to Elders as ‘Auntie’ or ‘Uncle’ unless you have been invited to do so
  • when speaking to Elders consider that English may be their second or third language and that you may find them difficult to understand and vice versa
  • it is recommended specific tribal group names not be used, as there may be more than one Traditional Owner group asserting ownership of that area
  • be conscious of your body language and style of dress, particularly when dealing with members of the opposite gender or if the meeting group is mixed genders.

Remember: promise only things that you know can be delivered and focus on tangible outcomes.

Asking and answering questions

Different community members will have varying degrees of understanding of the engagement process and related issues. This should not be overlooked when questions are asked.

When a question is asked more than once consider that it is because some audience members have not received adequate or appropriate information from you or another public official. Consider that you may have misinterpreted the question. Perhaps ask for clarification of the question.

Ensure that community members are provided with accurate information. If further information is required that you cannot provide at the time, offer to provide it later when it has been sourced. Do not promise or guarantee the community anything that you do not have the authority to guarantee.

In conversation there should be a proactive attempt to demystify language and concepts. Some issues, such as economic issues, need to be described and careful use of language can be useful. As English literacy is a significant variant, knowledge of language is an important element in the early stages of interacting with an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

Tact and diplomacy are required to identify the best time to ask questions. Good timing ensures community members feel comfortable when answering questions. The time to ask questions should occur naturally regardless of whether the occasion is a formal meeting or a morning tea. If questions are asked with an expectation of a quick reply, answers may not be informative or reflect community views. Allow time for the viewpoint of others to be expressed and for answers to be well considered.

Being flexible

Being flexible with time and adaptable in relation to issues for discussion is important when engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. You should not enter a community assuming that consultation or negotiation will occur quickly.

For example, significant events such as the death of a community member, cultural events or general meetings are important aspects of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s lives and have an enormous effect on the activities and availability of people within the community. Given the customs and protocols of a significant event it is important to maintain flexibility and be prepared to cancel or postpone the meeting in case of a death, funeral or other major community event. In particular, the high mortality rates in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities mean that many people may be grieving and have associated obligations.

Consideration should also be given to the physical setting of the engagement. For example in some situations an informal setting may be more suitable than an office environment.

When engaging with communities be prepared to give attention to multiple topics as community concerns are often interrelated. On some occasions you may be asked to leave the room so that discussion may be held between community members. Be prepared for these discussions to take some time.

Social interactions with a community

Standards of social behaviour vary between communities but as a general rule:

  • if you wish to participate in a group discussion, stand outside the circle and wait to be invited to join in by a participant
  • do not approach a group discussing specific men’s or women’s business
  • avoid discussing with community members your opinion of other community members, and
  • do not record on video or tape any of the discussions or photograph community members without seeking the approval of all participants.

Dress style for public officials representing the government should be appropriate to the climate, surroundings and the type of function being attended.

Adhering to the laws of a community

When planning to visit an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community, public officials need to be aware that there may be local laws in place. Failure to adhere to local by-laws relating to alcohol or to cultural and heritage restrictions may result in prosecution.

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities of Badu, Boigu and Kubin (Moa Island), Doomadgee, Injinoo, Napranum, Seisia, Woorabinda and Yarrabah have introduced by-laws to restrict possession and consumption of alcohol in public places. Other communities have enacted by-laws to govern public drunkenness, possession and inhalation of petrol, glue and paint, and throwing stones, rocks or other objects.

At May 2005, alcohol management plans were in place in 18 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Queensland, including Cherbourg, Aurukun, Napranum, Lockhart River, Wujal Wujal, Kowanyama, Pormpuraaw, Yarrabah, Doomadgee, Mornington Island, Woorabinda, Mapoon, Hope Vale and the five Northern Peninsula Area communities of Bamaga, Injinoo, Seisia, Umagico, and New Mapoon have alcohol management plans in place. The community of Cherbourg has an alcohol management plan but has declared dry places rather than liquor restrictions. As restrictions were negotiated with each community, the carriage limits differ between communities.

The restrictions apply to anyone within the restricted area, whether a resident, visitor or tourist passing through. If a person in a public place within the community area has a quantity of liquor in his or her possession that is greater than the restriction limit, fines may be applied. For more information on community alcohol restrictions, refer to the Meeting Challenges, Making Choices website at www.mcmc.qld.gov.au or www.liquor.qld.gov.au/Indigenous or telephone the Alcohol Management Program information line on 1300 789 000.

Case study: Local Justices of the Peace empower remote communities

Remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are managing justice issues with increased autonomy through the convening of Magistrate’s Courts by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Justices of the Peace (JPs). Communities have enthusiastically embraced opportunities to undertake special training offered by the Department of Justice and the Attorney-General. This training enables two or more JPs to constitute a local Magistrate’s Court to deal with breaches of the law in a manner that maintains community trust and cohesion. The Magistrate’s Courts deal with simple offences, domestic violence applications, breaches of community by-laws, traffic matters, bail applications and remands. By December 2004, 170 people had undertaken training to become JPs.

This approach empowers remote communities, gives them a greater sense of responsibility and enables them to manage breaches of the law more effectively. Some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander JPs are also able to speak to defendants in their traditional language so they have a clear understanding of proceedings. The specially trained JPs also play an important role in helping their communities with basic legal procedures and passing on an understanding of the justice system.

The training of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander JPs to constitute Magistrate’s Courts is one of the key strategies of the Queensland Government’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Justice Agreement. By mid 2004, Magistrate’s Courts constituted by local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander JPs had been established and conducted regularly at Woorabinda, Pormpuraaw, Badu Island, Hope Vale, Wujal Wujal, Kowanyama, Yarrabah, Cherbourg, Aurukun, Napranum and Old Mapoon. Further courts are being established at Lockhart River, Palm Island and Doomadgee. JPs have also undergone Magistrate’s Court training at Bamaga and Mornington Island.

For more details visit www.justice.qld.gov.au.

Last reviewed
31 May 2011
Last updated
23 June 2011