Consultation with Community
As the custodians of their own Knowledge, culture and experiences, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people hold the right to determine how their identities and cultural practices are represented in academic and professional contexts. The purpose of consultation with Community is to ensure representations by, for, and about, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and cultures are accurate, respectful, and ethically grounded. Ethical guidelines highlight that respectful engagement affirms cultural authority, supports self-determination, and strengthens the integrity of research and writing (NHMRC, 2018; AIATSIS, 2020; Australian Human Rights Commission, 2022). Consultation is essential to producing work that includes Indigenous Knowledges, cultures, histories, and practices.
Central to consultation with Community is the development of authentic and meaningful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, including the recognition of the significance of Community Elders and the value of Indigenous Knowledges. Consultation is not a single step but an ongoing practice of respect, accountability, and collaboration to establish and maintain relations to ensure you, the author and your team, is the right person to do the work; that is, the person the Community wants to do the work or with whom they want to collaborate. See The Language of Relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples: Introductory Guide.
From an ethical perspective, consultation reflects principles of reciprocity, accountability, and self-determination. It acknowledges the sovereignty of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and focuses on building and maintaining relationships based on trust and mutual respect. In addition, consultation aligns with institutional commitments to reconciliation and to the embedding of Indigenous perspectives within curriculum, research, and knowledge production (Universities Australia, 2017). RMIT’s Office of Indigenous Education, Research and Engagement is working on a Community Indigenous Engagement Framework, which will be available in 2026. The Framework will guide engagement with Indigenous Knowledges and Community.
When to seek Consultation
If authors want to include book content that involves Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, Knowledges, cultures, or activities, authors should ensure consultation with Community before the book project starts. Your proposed content might affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people both within RMIT and from other institutions and communities. In considering your audience ask yourself whether Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, staff or readers might be impacted by the development of content in your open book. If the answer is yes, establish a relationship with the Community, clearly explain your project’s goals and seek permission from Community to write about their traditions and histories. Use the guidance received to shape your approach to your book content. The following considerations explore when engagement with Community is required.
Before you begin your book project
Carefully consider why you want to include in your book content related to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Seek consultation early, before beginning your book project. It is essential to ensure appropriate cultural protocols, permissions, and respectful approaches are in place, and that Community wants to collaborate with you, before starting work on your open book project.
When using cultural Knowledges, stories, or language
Consultation is required if you want to include Indigenous oral traditions, languages, or cultural practices in your book. Some Knowledge may be gender-specific, restricted, or Community-owned. It is essential to confirm whether Knowledge can be shared, and who has the authority to share it.
When representing communities, groups, or activities
If intending to refer to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, nations, or organisations, authors must consult with those communities to: 1) ensure that representations are accurate; 2) avoid generalisations; and 3) respect Community ownership of their Knowledge.
Before finalising and publishing your work
Draft materials should be reviewed through consultation to confirm accuracy, respectful language, and alignment with cultural protocols. This may involve seeking feedback from appropriate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, Elders, or community representatives.
If there is uncertainty
Whenever authors are unsure if information can be used, or who holds authority over cultural Knowledge, consultation must occur. It is always better to ask than to risk cultural harm or misrepresentation.
Key considerations in seeking Consultation with Community
RMIT Open Press seeks to ensure our books are developed with a mindset of respect and reciprocity, recognising that the Indigenous Knowledges shared with authors are invaluable and should be treated with integrity. The following should be considered before seeking consultation with Community and embarking on your project.
Understand protocols
In seeking guidance and permission from Community, first familiarise yourself with ethical guidelines and cultural protocols. RMIT and government organisations have statements related to Indigenous engagement, the use of Indigenous Knowledges and research ethics . These include:
See also, AIATSIS Code of Ethics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Research (AIATSIS Code of Ethics, 2020); AIATSIS Research Ethics Framework
- National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), Ethical Guidelines for Research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
- RMIT Indigenous Research Plan: 2023-2025
- Australian Human Rights Commission 2022, Guidelines for Engagement and Consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
- (Indigenous Archives Collective, 2021) Indigenous Archives Collective Position Statement on the Right of Reply to Indigenous Knowledges and Information held in archives
- Principles of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Perspectives in Learning & Teaching Collection
Developing relationships of beneficence and reciprocity
Before embarking on your project consider engaging with RMIT’s Office of Indigenous Education Research and Engagement and the Indigenous Curriculum specialists. Work with them to identify appropriate community contacts or organisations. They might be able to help you connect with elders, leaders, or cultural advisors. However, RMIT’s Indigenous employees are from a range of places and might not have relations in specific communities. Authors therefore have an obligation to seek advice from their non-Indigenous researcher colleagues who already have strong relations with community members and who can advise on Community engagement. Ideally, authors will be developing relationships of benificence with Comunity that are not just about getting a research project up or a book published. Responsible Practice is about your everyday behaviours and actions that ensure you are practicing reciprocity and beneficence. It is about asking ‘what can I do for the Community (that they need and want) with my specific skill set’, not ‘how can I be in relation with this Community so I can get my book written or my research up’.
Community-appropriate Consultation
Seek engagement with Community in a manner that respects cultural norms and values the time and input of community members. This might include face-to-face meetings, phone calls, or virtual meetings. Payment for Community consultation is expected in recognition of the time spent and in consideration of the Knowledge shared.
Acknowledge contributions made by Community
Ensure that any contributions from Community are appropriately acknowledged in your publication. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be acknowledged for a range of contributions including co-authorship, authorship of a specific section of a book, knowledge sharing, and participation in consultation. Ask the people who have contributed to your book how they want to be credited.
Feedback and review
An important part of engagement is asking Community to review your work, ensuring their perspectives are accurately and respectfully represented.
