Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to develop awareness of, and apply the protocols of Aboriginal culture, including the need to identify the appropriate persons when approaching a Community and the cultural and social protocols associated with that task.
This unit applies to following cultural protocols and details the specific cultural, gender and kinship sensitivities of working in Aboriginal Communities and on Country with diverse cultural requirements.
The unit applies to individuals working with lore/law men and women either autonomously or under the supervision and cultural authority of Traditional Owners or Elders for specific Country. They work under broad direction and use discretion and judgement in the selection and use of available resources.
This unit is also applicable to the work of repatriation workers and anthropologists. However, cultural beliefs and practices vary across locations and communities however and in some situations non-Aboriginal learners may not be able to access the cultural knowledge and materials required to achieve competency in this unit due to restrictions that are applied to non-Aboriginal people gaining access to cultural knowledge, material or sites. In these situations the Registered Training Organisation will be required to make alternative arrangements for learners that are still consistent with the delivery and assessment requirements for this unit.
No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Element | Performance criteria |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Identify Aboriginal beliefs and associated cultural protocols for different Country | 1.1 Identify and document the importance of Aboriginal beliefs and the relationship of these beliefs with cultural landscapes 1.2 Recognise and respect gender roles 1.3 Respect language groups and kinship networks within specific Country that inform the basis of social relationships and Community roles 1.4 Recognise and respect cultural taboos, factions and avoidance relationships 1.5 Acknowledge the rights of individuals within Communities and on Country to hold specific knowledge and ceremony 1.6 Acknowledge the rights of individuals within Communities and on Country to hold responsibility for Aboriginal sites and the cultural rules associated with sharing that knowledge 1.7 Respect and affirm the inherent diversity that exists within cultures and Communities |
2. Identify Aboriginal cultural authorities for specific Country in culturally appropriate ways | 2.1 Apply various approaches and resources to identify cultural authorities for specific Country 2.2 Research difficulties in identifying cultural authorities in various states and territories 2.3 Identify and consult appropriate cultural authorities 2.4 Apply the identification by cultural authorities of appropriate persons within Communities who hold cultural knowledge relevant to determining the cultural significance of Aboriginal objects and places 2.5 Respect and implement the provision of advice by cultural authorities 2.6 Respect and implement rights and responsibilities associated with cultural knowledge, story, song, site and ceremony 2.7 Support cultural knowledge holders to inform the decision-making process to determine the cultural significance of objects and places 2.8 Acknowledge and respect traditional knowledge and practices in managing Country and environment |
3. Relate Aboriginal cultural protocols to Community consultation | 3.1 Identify and record key protocols required for Aboriginal Community consultation 3.2 Acknowledge determination of Aboriginal people as the primary source of cultural information 3.3 Select participants for and methods of consultation in accordance with decisions made by Aboriginal cultural authorities 3.4 Use communication approaches that place Aboriginal cultural protocols and values as a principal concern 3.5 Undertake participation in Community consultation following appropriate cultural protocols for that Country and Community |
4. Recognise and administer Aboriginal ownership and intellectual property rights | 4.1 Establish ownership rights and intellectual property rights of Aboriginal cultural information and material 4.2 Recognise rights to control cultural heritage by Aboriginal people as custodians of Aboriginal culture 4.3 Apply access restrictions to cultural knowledge, information and material 4.4 Follow confidentiality measures for recording secret, sacred materials 4.5 Determine and administer the ownership of cultural knowledge, information and material 4.6 Report any identified infringement of copyright |
5. Access, transfer and use cultural information and material | 5.1 Seek permissions from cultural authorities, relevant individuals and organisations for access and use of Aboriginal cultural information and material 5.2 Abide by decisions from cultural authorities, relevant individuals and organisations to deny permission for access and use of Aboriginal cultural information and material 5.3 Establish and implement parameters for processes of transfer of cultural knowledge 5.4 Observe cultural restrictions on Aboriginal cultural information and Aboriginal material 5.5 Acknowledge and observe copyright and licensing issues related to access and use of Aboriginal cultural material and cultural information 5.6 Follow Aboriginal cultural requirements for communications about, and display, access and handling of Aboriginal cultural information and material 5.7 Acknowledge and agree to the implications of consent for accessing, transferring and using cultural information and materials |
6. Use appropriate personal and social protocols | 6.1 Observe appropriate use of personal protocols for addressing and greeting persons, personal contact, and gestures 6.2 Allow respect for local and Community traditions to guide personal presentation and conduct 6.3 Use personal communication styles such as language, non-verbal communication, discussion, meaning, questioning, eye contact and silence that reflect the customs and idioms of the local Community 6.4 Maintain a flexible attitude to address situations of cultural diversity and cross-cultural differences |
Evidence of Performance
The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.
The candidate must provide evidence that they can:
identify and consult with appropriate cultural authorities for a Community, place or site
identify cultural information, material and cultural expression that is appropriate to be shared
identify groups to be consulted in relation to owners or custodians of cultural and Community knowledge, information and/or material
follow cultural protocols for consultation, research and recording information about particular Communities
show respect and cultural sensitivity towards Aboriginal people, their beliefs, customs, values, lore/law, ceremonies and history
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
cultural diversity within Aboriginal Communities
the cultural rights and responsibilities when using Community knowledge, information and material
Aboriginal cultural values and interpersonal and Community protocols
authentic and authoritative sources for Aboriginal cultural information, material and expression able to be accessed and shared
customs, history, protocols of the Community with which they are working
Assessment Conditions
Assessment of this unit must be conducted by recognised and appropriate Community Elders and/or Custodians with appropriate assessor qualifications or co-assessed by a qualified assessor in cooperation and discussion with an appropriate with Community Elders and/or Custodians.
Assessors must satisfy the current standards for RTOs.
Foundation Skills
Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
Sectors
Indigenous Land Management (ILM)