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It is important that researchers working in the Torres Strait understand
and respect the communication protocols for the region. These guidelines
are to help you develop effective relationships with Torres Strait
Islander people, and make the most of your communication opportunities
during your visits to the Torres Strait. Please refer to these guidelines
when planning your visits.
The aim is to ensure that your research associates in the Torres
Strait are aware of your visit to their country, and are informed
of your intended research program. Proposed ways to raise community
awareness of the Program include:
- Regular radio briefs about the program and individual research
tasks.
- Information flyers posted on Community Information Boards in relevant
island communities.
- Regular information page about the Program in TSRA Newsletter,
with short articles on current research activities and visits.
- Website information.
Your contact person in the Torres Strait is Mr Toshi Nakata, Marine
Research Liaison Officer for CRC Torres Strait. Toshi is based at
the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) on Thursday Island.
Toshi can be contacted by phone on 07 4069 0700 or by email at toshi.nakata@tsra.gov.au
It is essential that Toshi Nakata is informed of your intended visit
to the Torres Strait, whether you are flying into Horn Island or steaming
in on a research vessel.
- Contact Toshi to plan your visit.
- Complete the pre-visit
form and send to Toshi Nakata and also to Annabel Jones at CRC Reef (annabel.jones@jcu.edu.au)
AT LEAST 10 DAYS BEFORE YOUR VISIT so that the calendar of researcher visits
on this website can be updated and a
flyer for communities can be prepared about your visit.
- Contact local communities that you want to visit (on advice from Toshi).
- Advise other CRC Torres Strait researchers of your proposed trip (through
the Torres Strait email list: crctorres-bulletin@jcu.edu.au).
- Plan how you will communicate the outcomes of your research to people
who are interested - scientists, managers and community members.
Contact Toshi to provide feedback after your visit. Be prepared
to provide feedback to all the communities you have visited, and
any other stakeholders you have worked with.
It is important that the outcomes of your research are available
to interested parties. You will want to consider a range of communication
approaches, as well as the usual scientific papers. Think about
how you intend to communicate your research to the island communities
and local managers, including:
- Visits to island communities, face to-face-contact with Torres
Strait Islanders
- Meetings with managers, semi-formal presentations
- Practical demonstration and hands-on training activities
- Workshops
- Articles in the local media: e.g. Torres News, TSRA newsletter
- Posters and displays
- Radio interview, TV, video (see protocols
for radio interviews )
To help you with a communication plan, refer to the Communication
Planning Guidelines for researchers
Familiarise yourself with the appropriate ways to approach and
communicate with the Torres Strait Islander people. A good guide
is the booklet Mina Mir Lo Ailan Mun produced by the Queensland
Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy which
can be downloaded from their website. Note in particular, the cultural
communication cues:
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Accept you are in another cultural world and on another person's
property.
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Endeavour to be open, honest and sincere.
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Acquire a sound knowledge of the diversity of Aboriginal culture.
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Expect resistance to ideas and proposals that are incompatible with
Aboriginal views.
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Adopt a participatory role rather than a controlling role.
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Familiarise yourself with the socio-political profile of the community
you are working in.
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Allow time for people to think about ideas and proposals and to discuss
them informally amongst themselves.
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Identify key stakeholders in the community , including the chairpersons,
council members, Elders - both men and women - and respected younger
people possessing higher education.
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Analyse situations or problems carefully and in detail to provide
an appropriate solution or outcome.
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Listen to people's views and take them seriously. Keep in mind that
your perspectives may differ from others - give a little, listen a
little, learn a little to find out what the other party needs.
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Appraise each meeting of contact situationally - no two visits or
meetings are alike.
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Promise only what you can deliver or are capable of achieving.
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Build enduring relationships with community groups. Respect people's
customs, culture, values, religion, dignity and feelings.
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Develop healthy working relationships with councils, communities,
organisations and individuals - promote goodwill and understanding
between all parties.
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Talk in a style that is clear, understandable and free of jargon
and acronyms.
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Disseminate Information or ideas broadly across all stakeholders
in a fair and equitable manner - ensure no-one is disadvantaged.
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Understand cultural and community dynamics - stereotyping should
be avoided as each community is unique and each have their own individual
needs.
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Encourage participation in discussions, meetings and forums.
Extract from 'mina mir lo ailan mun Proper communication with Torres
Strait Islander people' courtesy of Department of Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander Policy. © Queensland Government
Some things to be mindful of when visiting the
Torres Strait communities in your day-to-day activities:
- Do not step over people’s property.
- Do not step over a person eg. if a person
has their leg crossed in front of them or if a child is lying
on the ground, do not step over them.
- Always walk around people and their property.
- Do not walk between two people who are having
a conversation.
- It is polite to stoop when you are walking
in front of a person who may be talking or standing.
- Torres Strait Islanders understand English
– speak slowly using common words.
- When meeting someone, it is proper to give
your name and ask the other person for his/her name.
- Avoid questions that require a “yes”
or “no” answer. Some people will say yes or agree
to keep you happy.
- Personal space is important. Don’t stand
or sit too close to someone unless you have developed a rapport.
- Some Torres Strait Islanders do not like direct
eye contact when a person is speaking to them.
- “Aye!” or “Psst” are
expressions used as a means of calling someone when an Islander
is not acquainted with you.
- Say Hello, Good Morning or Which way! to anyone
you pass.
It is recommended that daytime attire include:
- Shorts and T-shirts, skirts and/or dresses
(knee length).
- Cover up as some people may find exposure of
body skin offensive.
- Don’t forget the hats and sunscreen!!!
- If invited to a function, smart casual dress
is recommended
A Torres Strait island belief is that caretakers
look after uninhabited islands or sea country when the Traditional
Owners are absent. Caretakers are not human and could appear as
birds, sharks or even as the wind. On sea country, or uninhabited
islands, acknowledge the caretakers and seek their permission to
access the area. If there is a group of people going together, then
the permission can be sought on behalf of the group by the team
leader.
“I ask permission from the caretakers of
this sea country. I am with CRC Torres Strait and I am here to….
I will be working here for X days……..”
When you leave the area, it is polite to thank
the caretakers, “Thank you for looking after us today.”
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