First Nations elder removed from Obama event
A First Nations Elder bas been left “shocked and distressed” after being removed from performing the Welcome to Country ceremony at a Melbourne event hosted by former president Barack Obama.
Obama touched down in Melbourne with former First Lady and wife Michelle ahead of the event at John Cain Arena on March 29.
In what could have been a special ceremony for her, senior Wurundjeri elder Aunty Joy Murphy has been left deeply saddened after she said she was told she was being “too difficult” for making two requests for the event.
Aunty Joy asked if the event organisers Growth Faculty were able to provide appropriate accommodations for a support person to accompany her, and made a request to provide a gift to Obama, which is something she said is cultural practice.
The Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation said Aunty Joy was removed from the event following the requests.
"I am 78 years of age. I have never been treated or spoken to in this way in the past," Aunty Joy said in a statement.
"I do not want this to be a reflection on President Obama. I am a leader of the Wurundjeri Nation. I asked to be treated as an equal.
"I have been shocked and distressed by the way I have been treated by event organisers.
"They have always shown me respect and accepted my Welcome as a gift from our people.”
Aunty Joy was also removed from performing traditional cultural protocols at a planned lunch with Obama the next day.
"The Welcome to Country is a very important ceremony for our people. It is an honour to Welcome people like President Obama and I am upset that I am unable to do this today," she said.
Growth Faculty have since issued an apology for the circumstances that led to the last-minute cancellation.
In a statement, a spokesperson said changes to the ceremony due to “security requirements” meant a welcome to country was instead delivered by Wurundjeri-Willam woman Mandy Nicholson.
“Growth Faculty had been working with Aunty Joy and the Wurundjeri community for many weeks ahead of last night’s event,” the statement read.
“Due to security requirements, the organisation was unable to accommodate last minute changes to the agreed upon ceremony.
“Growth Faculty has apologised to Aunty Joy that last night’s ceremony could not be changed.”
The spokesperson also said that Aunty Joy had accepted an invitation to perform the welcome to country at a business lunch taking place in Melbourne on Thursday instead.
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