Organisers of Barack Obama’s speaking event in Melbourne apologises over Indigenous Welcome to Country controversy
Organisers of former U.S. President Barack Obama’s speaking event in Melbourne have apologised over an Indigenous Welcome to Country controversy.
Australian Indigenous elder Aunty Joy Murphy was prevented from performing a traditional ceremony at the event.
The company behind the speaking tour says it was unable to accommodate last minute changes due to security.
The senior Wurundjeri elder was originally asked to open Wednesday night’s sold-out event, but was later removed from proceedings amid claims she was being “too difficult”.
The organisers have since apologised and invited Aunty Joy to perform a Welcome to Country at a business lunch with Obama.
Aunty Joy reportedly asked event organisers to “make appropriate accommodations for a support person” to accompany the elder to the event, along with “requests to provide Obama with a gift as is cultural practice”.
The company says it “holds deep respect for Australia’s Traditional Owners and is proud to be hosting events this week on the lands of the Wurundjeri people.”
