Our Protocols (Our Grounding Areas)

We respect Warlpiri culture, knowledge, customs and ways of doing things. We listen to our people, respect Country and recognise the importance of keeping cultural protocols/lore strong. We speak from our own experiences and only speak on behalf of others with their knowledge and permission. We recognise that different people hold different cultural knowledge and responsibilities, and that not every matter is ours to speak about. Where something falls outside our knowledge or cultural responsibilities, we seek guidance, listen to those with the appropriate knowledge or refer the matter on.

We seek guidance from our Elders, whose knowledge and wisdom keep us grounded in culture and tradition. We value the ideas, perspectives and contributions of young people, whose fresh thinking helps us grow, adapt and innovate. We recognise that every generation has something valuable to contribute, and that we are stronger when knowledge, experiences and ideas are shared across generations.

We listen to what people want, respect their views and recognise that we do not speak for others without their input and permission. We build on community knowledge and priorities rather than making assumptions about what people need. We take responsibility for our decisions, honour our commitments and remain accountable to our community, our partners and the people who place their trust in us.

We respect people’s rights to their stories, knowledge, experiences and personal information. We seek permission before sharing or using what people have entrusted to us, ensuring they understand how and why it will be used. We never assume consent or take knowledge, stories or experiences that have not been freely shared with us. We recognise the trust involved in sharing and respect people’s right to decide what they share and with whom.