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Protocols at the Garma Festival
Authority
to make a recording of the Festival
If you wish to take photographs or make any other form of
recording you must sign the 'General Authority to Make a Record
of the Festival'. This will be available at Reception or can
be downloaded here (pdf)
It is
inappropriate to take any photographs of Yolngu without first
seeking the permission of a senior elder.
Alcohol
and Drugs
Alcohol and drugs are not permitted at the site of the Garma
Festival. Alcohol is also banned at Yirrkala and Gunyangara.
Substantial fines are imposed on people caught taking alcohol
or drugs into these communities. Since the town at Nhulunbuy
was established in the 1970s alcohol abuse has had a devastating
effect on many families. Please do not contribute to the problem.
Permits
The Yolngu are the traditional owners of north east Arnhem
land. They are also recognised as owners of this land under
Australian law through the Aboriginal Land Rights Act (NT)
1976. Permits are required to enter Aboriginal land. The Garma
Festival invitationonly permits you to attend the Festival,
and all Permit Conditions apply. Copies of the permit conditions
can be downloaded here (pdf) or are available from the Reception at the Festival.
Your invitation to the Festival and the receipt of payment
(if applicable) are evidence of attending the Festival and
of your permit. Please keep these documents with you at all
times when travelling through Arnhem Land.
Gulkula
and surrounding areas is an Indigenous Protected Area (IPA),
managed by Dhimurru Land Management Aboriginal Corporation.
Declared in March 2001 as the first IPA in the Northern Territory,
the Dhimurru IPA is a part of the Australian National Reserve
System of protected areas.
Behaviour
At the Garma Festival, you are invited to observe and work
within Yolngu protocols.
- Remember
you are in Yolngu land and entering the Yolngu time-zone.
- Yolngu
perceptions, priorities and preoccupations are different
from those of mainstream Australia.
- Be
patient, and try to leave behind your expectations of how
things are learnt, and how events should run.
- Traditionally
Yolngu learn by observation, by looking and listening. Asking
too many questions is inappropriate. So, when you have questions,
choose them carefully and thoughtfully.
- Respect
Yolngu peoples personal space.
- Avoid
strolling around and visiting Yolngu campsites unless specifically
invited and accompanied by Yolngu.
- Visitors
should avoid leaving the Gulkula site on their own, and
should only walk along specifically marked Festival trails.
This is about showing respect for land and is also a safety
issue.
- Treat
the old people with the greatest respect: they hold the
knowledge and the power.
- Please
be conscious that dress standards may often vary from what
is considered acceptable at your home. By dressing conservatively
you will avoid the possibility of causing offence
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