....Also Weddings And Bar Mitzvahs

IN A POST BELOW below, mention was made of a long-ish document in which the CSIRO lays out the correct way to hire those welcome-to-countriers, smoke purifiers and digeridoo players needed to keep the organisation’s laboratories free of evil spirits. While those efforts appear to have had no reformative effect on the Climate Change Unit, the greater curiosity is just how much public money went into the guide’s preparation. The sum would not have been small, and the inspiration for such a handbook is an even greater jaw-dropper. Is the scientific organisation now shipping shamans in such numbers that formal protocols are needed for their transport and handling?

Well forget the CSIRO. Its guidelines are but the few words on a Fantails wrapper in comparison with the masterwork of cultural sensitivity prepared by the government of NSW. It is all of 1,643 words and nails the going rate for renting blackfellas to the last cent. The very last cent. For example, the makeup allowance for "Category One Traditional Dancer (inexperienced)" is $12.43 on top of the $104 hourly rate ("three hour minimum").

The entire document is available here -- http://www.daa.nsw.gov.au/data/files//AboriginalCulturalPerformancePolicy.doc -- which brings up a nasty Word file. To save readers time and trouble the entire brief is pasted below.

You will start giggling on the first page, and by the time you reach the fee schedule at the very end, the suspicion will be that the document is a wicked, patronising parody. That would be part right. It is wicked and it is patronising, but it is no parody – especially not at $529.80 (“certified agreement”) for a smoke celebrant (2005 rates).

And don't skip the section dealing with the Risk Management. Here it is:

POLICY GUIDELINES FOR A RECOMMENDED FEE FOR SERVICE FOR ABORIGINAL CULTURAL PERFORMANCE

1. POLICY CONSIDERATIONS

1.1 SCOPE

The guidelines relate exclusively to Aboriginal cultural practices which are unique to Aboriginal people. These cultural practices include:

• Welcome to Country
• Smoking Ceremonies
• Personal or Cultural Histories
• Dance or other Performance

Aboriginal protocols are increasingly being used in NSW government and community events and ceremonies. In 2001, all NSW Centenary of Federation events opened with an Aboriginal Welcome to Country.

The policy scope should consider the value of the service being offered, the expertise required to deliver that service as well as the length of time taken for the delivery of the service.

A further consideration is the importance of the occasion. That is, should a Welcome to Country for a school event attract the same fee as a Welcome to Country for a significant NSW Government event?

The policy will provide recommended fee for service guidelines for adoption by the NSW Government, Government agencies, local government and other community organisations.

1.2 PURPOSE

The purpose of the policy is to:

• Identify a recommended minimum Fee for Service for Aboriginal Cultural performances
• Identify Aboriginal practices that should be included in the guidelines
• Develop a policy that complements the Aboriginal Protocols’ Policy currently being developed by the NSW Premier’s Department

1.3 POLICY OBJECTIVES

The policy objectives are to:

• Develop a recommended minimum Fee for Service that properly renumerates and recognises Aboriginal cultural service;
• that is agreed to by all stakeholders and;
• that it is formally adopted by the NSW government.

1.4 INTENDED OUTCOMES OF THE GUIDELINES

 

The outcomes of this policy are to:

• Provide the NSW government and other organisations with an acceptable fee schedule for Aboriginal cultural services
• Provide Aboriginal people with an acceptable fee schedule for their cultural services
• Assist NSW government agencies and other organisations to properly renumerate Aboriginal cultural performers
• Provide consistency of fees for cultural performance across the NSW Government and other sectors
• Encourage NSW government and other sectors’ recognition and value of Aboriginal cultural knowledge and protocols
• Encourage the inclusion of Aboriginal protocols in government and other sectors’ events or ceremonies

1.5 RISK MANAGEMENT

The risks involved in developing and implementing this policy include:

• Resistance from some Aboriginal performers/speakers to setting a standard fee. This may be overcome by producing a recommended minimum fee that individuals can negotiate from.
• Difficulty in measuring and assigning dollar values to cultural knowledge and performance.
• Budget restrictions compelling organisations to reduce or omit Aboriginal performers from events and ceremonies. This may be tempered by the recommendations of the Aboriginal Protocols’ Policy being developed by the Premier’s Department.
• Resentment from the community about individuals being paid for cultural knowledge.
• Formalising the process may result in payments no longer being made in cash.
• Potential confusion for non-professional Aboriginal performers being asked to provide an ABN number to receive payment for services. Those community members not working professionally will be advised to complete a Statement by a Supplier Form.

1.6 EVALUATION

Criteria for evaluation of the policy include the following:

• Endorsement of the policy by the NSW government
• Aboriginal protocols included in an increasing number of government and community events
• Enquiries to the Department about the guidelines
• The number of copies of the guidelines provided to organisations and agencies
• Aboriginal community knowledge of the guidelines

2. FEE GUIDELINES

2.1 WELCOME TO COUNTRY

Welcome to Country is widely recognised across the NSW public service as an important Aboriginal protocol.

Welcome to Country is usually performed by a senior community member of the land that the event is being held on. Where possible, the local Aboriginal Land Council may provide the appropriate person to perform the Welcome.

Fees for Welcome to Country must take into account a number of factors:

·        The length of the Welcome and the time taken to travel to the event

·        The knowledge imparted in the Welcome

·        The importance of the particular event 

·        Preparation for the event

·        The cost of travel to the event

The common fee offered by most government and community organisations for Welcome to Country is a minimum $100.00 to a maximum $300.00. The fee variables include the importance of the event and the knowledge imparted in the Welcome.

Where the Welcome to Country is provided by a senior community member transport should be made available to and from the venue.

2.2 DIDGERIDOO

Didgeridoo players are frequently used in Welcome ceremonies to ‘call’ speakers, special guests and the audience to begin the ceremony. A didgeridoo player may also be used as a soloist in other parts of the ceremony.

Professional didgeridoo players, registered with an agent, charge a standard industry fee. Fees may be negotiable, according to individual performers needs and the type of performance required.

The National Musicians Enterprise Agreement, certified in July 2003, contains the following minimum rates for musicians.

Category 1 performer, for a minimum 3 hour performance:

3 x $104.00 per hour + $12.43 make up and costume allowance + $ 4.00 instrument allowance + $28.37 rehearsal rate.

Total cost is $356.80 per performance

Fees vary within the industry, from agent to agent and performer to performer. Agent fees, administration, transport and insurance costs may be charged on top of the award minimum.

Example:

Nature, an Aboriginal didgeridoo duo who were used extensively during NSW Centenary of Federation celebrations, charge between $450.00 to $800.00 per performance.

The EORA Centre for Visual and Performing Arts (TAFE) often assists with requests for student musicians/didgeridoo players. The EORA Centre recommends a minimum fee of $150.00 per performance.

2.3 SMOKING CEREMONY

Smoking ceremonies are performed to cleanse the land. Smoking ceremonies are performed by Aboriginal people with particular specialised cultural knowledge. They are usually only performed at significant functions or on important occasions.

There are a number of costs associated with performing smoking ceremonies including collecting and making ochre, acquiring appropriate kindling and foliage and travel costs. These costs should be recognised and met by payment on top of the minimum fee.

The National Performers Enterprise Agreement, to be certified in July 2003, contains the following minimum rates for musicians.

Category 2 performer, for a minimum 3 hour performance:

3 x $163.00 + 12.43 wardrobe and makeup + rehearsal rate 28.37

Total cost is $ 529.80 per performance.

2.4 DANCERS

Dancers are often used as part of Welcome ceremonies.  There are many professional Aboriginal dance troupes and individuals in NSW. Charges vary according to level of training, the size of the company, the nature of the dance required and whether the dancers charge by the hour or per performance.

Professional dance companies include charges for agent fees, travel, insurance and other administrative costs.

The National Performers Enterprise Agreement, certified in July 2003, contains the following minimum rates for dancers, both experienced and inexperienced.

Category 1 Dancer (inexperienced) for a minimum 3 hour performance:

$127.85 + 12.43 wardrobe and makeup + rehearsal rate 28.37

Total cost is $ 424.35 per performance.

Category 1 Dancer (experienced)

$135.85 +12.43 wardrobe and makeup + rehearsal rate 28.37

Total cost is $ 448.35 per performance.

2.4 CULTURAL OR PERSONAL HISTORIES

Aboriginal people are asked to give personal or cultural histories to educate the wider Australian community about Aboriginal history and culture.

National Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC provide opportunities for Aboriginal people to speak at forums, public meetings, schools and at local and state government functions.

The guest lecture may be personal, historical and provide audiences with knowledge of Aboriginal cultural heritage or practice.

The Department of Education provides no recommended fee for Aboriginal guest speakers at NSW schools and many speakers volunteer their services.

The NSWAECG Incorporated has no official recommended fee for Aboriginal people providing personal or cultural histories.

The University of Sydney (Academic and Teaching Staff) Enterprise Agreement 1999 – 2002 provides the following Casual Academic Rates for guest lecturers.

For a lecture (1 hour delivery and up to 2 hours associated working time)

$106.45 + 4%

2.6 PAYMENT

Payment for performers of Aboriginal protocols by the NSW government will be largely determined by government procedures.

Professional performers will asked to provide an ABN number before payment can be made.

Some Aboriginal people may not have been registered as a business and others may be receiving a pension or other government income support. In these cases, a Statement by a Supplier form must be completed to receive payment. This will ensure that earnings are not taxed at the highest margin.

2.7 WHO TO CONTACT FOR ABORIGINAL PERFORMERS

The NSW Aboriginal Land Council and Local Aboriginal Land Councils can identify people who can perform Welcome to Country and assist with other relevant information for a Welcome Ceremony. They may also identify appropriate Aboriginal people to perform Welcome to Country and other protocols.

Some Land Councils have Officers who perform these ceremonies.

NSW Aboriginal Land Council

Ph       (02) 9689 4444 

The NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (NSWAECG) Incorporated can recommend Aboriginal speakers and guest lecturers for cultural and personal histories.

NSWAECG Incorporated

Ph:      (02) 9550 5666

The EORA Centre for Visual and Performing Arts

Ph:      (02) 9217 4878

2.8  The recommended fees contained in these guidelines are a minimum fee only. They provide a starting point for negotiation between the NSW Government and Aboriginal people performing cultural protocols.

FEE GUIDELINES

Recommended Minimum Fee

All rates are per performance

Welcome to Country            :                       $ 100. 00

Didgeridoo                                      

Musicians Certified Agreement

2003-2005:                                                   $ 356.80

Smoking Ceremony                           

Performers Certified Agreement

2003-2005:                                                   $ 529.80

Dancer, Category 1              

 (inexperienced)

Performers Certified Agreement

2003-2005:                                                   $ 424.35

Dancer, Category 1              

(experienced)                               

Performers Certified Agreement

2003-2005:                                                   $ 448.35

Guest Lecture

Cultural/Personal:                                   

 (1 hour delivery and

up to 2 hours associated

working time)

University of Sydney

(Academic and Teaching Staff)

Enterprise Agreement

1999 – 2002:                                                            $ 106.45 + 4%