Welcome to Kununurra and to the local Language and Culture Working Group (LCWG)!

The LCWG is a coalition of local organisations that provide services in the field of language, culture, and arts and we work together to ensure that interested parties have a “One stop shop” through which they are guided in the right direction for relevant services.

Organisations involved in the LCWG involve the following:

• MDWg – Mirima Dawang Woorlab-gerring Language and Culture Centre
• WAA – Waringarri Aboriginal Arts
• MG – MG Corporation
• GY – Gawooleng Yawoodeng
• OVAHS – Ord Valley Aboriginal Health Service
• KWAC – Kununurra Waringarri Aboriginal Corporation
• Wunan – Wunan Foundation
• AIWA – Aboriginal Interpreting WA (associated services)

LCWG organisations meet on a regular basis to discuss relevant matters in relation to language, culture, and arts.

Best practice indicates that all services related to language, culture, and arts are booked through the recognised and endorsed Indigenous agencies shown above. Please follow cultural protocol by adhering to this advice.

The LCWG has developed an LCA (Language-Culture-Art) Index that lists all available services in this sector and links these to one or more local organisations that provide the service – the complete list is available in the following document: INDEX OF LCA SERVICES

Some of the most commonly requested services are:

• Access to Country
• Cultural Awareness Training
• Cultural Consultancy
• Cultural Healing
• Cultural Tours
• Indigenous Art
• Interpretive Signage
• Language Learning
• Room Hire
• Translation and Naming
• Welcome to Country

All LCWG members are community organisations that work on a not-for-profit basis and would prefer that the government agencies and businesses book all LCA services through one of the organisations listed, rather than through for-profit businesses. Cultural protocol requires that the sharing of cultural information be endorsed by relevant Elders, which is best done by going through an authorised organisation.

What matters are discussed by the LCWG?

Some matters that the LCWG has addressed in the past include the following:

• Members initiated and implemented the addition of Language and Culture as a sixth social norm to the principles promoted by Empowered Communities.
• Three LCWG members developed and agreed on a joined approach for delivering welcome to country speeches in and around Kununurra. These organisations offer identical service rates while welcome speakers are paid a fair and uniform fee for their service.
• LCWG members are currently negotiating with WA and NT governments to install “Welcome to Miriwoong Country” signage along the Victoria Highway in both directions.
• Members have developed a Roadmap for Language and Culture with the objective to strengthen and maintain the unique cultural heritage of the local Miriwoong people.
• LCWG members have developed the LCA Index mentioned above in order to guide agencies and business in finding the right service provider.

Frequently Asked Questions

Typical questions that people may ask often revolve around who to engage for a specific service. Here are some examples:

Is the LCWG an official body?

• No. It is a loose coalition of organisations that share a common interest in keeping the local language and culture strong. They will ensure that culture protocol is followed on all occasions. Binarri-binyja Yarrawoo (BBY – the local arm of Empowered Communities) provides secretarial support for this group.

To avoid bureaucracy, can I get a local person I have met at an event to provide a service around language/culture/art for me if he/she appears to offer a cheaper rate?

• This is both risky and inappropriate. There is the possibility that the person is not endorsed or knowledgeable. Going through a recognised service provider will ensure quality of service, as well as following cultural protocol.

My organisation employs Indigenous people. Wouldn’t it be simpler if they provided a LCA service for our agency?

• It might seem that your staff member can provide such service. However, being Indigenous does not automatically mean the person is a Traditional Owner from the local area. (Would you ask a Frenchman to do a welcome to country in Britain? – Bad idea!) Even where affiliation to the local Miriwoong people is confirmed, the person might still not be an endorsed and knowledgeable community member to provide any service. (Or would you ask your grandmother to formally receive and greet a group of overseas visitors to Australia? – Probably not.)

I would like to support a local Indigenous business to generate revenue through LCA services and book them to conduct a welcome to country. Is this advisable?

• No. A welcome to country follows certain aspects of cultural protocol and should not be conducted by an untrained person. The purpose of the LCWG is to guide clients to approved services that will support the community as a whole, rather than single individuals or families. Welcome speakers from approved organisations have participated in training to ensure Mirwoong language is a component of the speech. Based on cultural protocol, Miriwoong language should be included in a welcome speech.

Where can I join a cultural tour?

• WAA is a local cultural tour provider and can be found in the LCA Index. Of course there also are private tour operators which can be booked through the Visitor Centre or in person. However, the LCWG does not vouch for the accuracy and authenticity of information shared by those providers.

I would like to learn the local language and it seems my neighbour is Miriwoong. Should I contract him/her to be my language teacher?

• According to language policy developed by the Miriwoong Language Authority, anyone can use or informally share the Miriwoong language with others. However, formal teaching such as providing lessons should occur through relevant organisations. The LCWG does not vouch for the accuracy of language lessons taught by private individuals.

I lead a visiting group from a government agency and we are planning a fieldtrip in the area. Who do I need to talk to?

• On-country trips, especially those with a formal purpose or function, require the approval of the relevant authority. As can be seen in the LCA Index (separate document), on-country trips can be discussed with MG Corporation [LINK to www.mgcorp.com.au].

In the LCA Index there are several organisations listed for a specific service that I am interested in. Which one should I contact?

• You can contact any of the providers shown. Where a detailed description of service is provided, this may help. If a provider is unable to provide a specific service, they may refer you to a partner organisation.

If you have read through these questions and answers, you might think that obtaining an LCA service is more complicated than you expected. But please put yourself into the shoes of a community which makes every effort to keep their precious heritage alive, with the purpose of passing it on to future generations. Private individuals may or may not share this attitude and therefore it is always better to go through the network of authorised local stakeholders. This will not only ensure a higher quality of services but also benefit the wider community.

In summary – the benefits of going through an endorsed LCA service provider are:

• Endorsed by local cultural authorities
• Assured quality of service
• Revenue flows back into the community
• Best practice providers

The risks of choosing an individual person or business include:

• Potentially not a provider recognised by the community
• Potential violation of cultural protocol
• Uncertain quality of service
• No wider community benefit.

If you have any questions for the LCWG, you can contact us through MDWg on info@mirima.org.au and add “LCWG” in the subject line.