The organisers of a Barack Obama event in Melbourne say security concerns were behind the move to replace a senior Aboriginal elder from the program.
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Senior Wurundjeri elder Aunty Joy Murphy was slated to perform the welcome to country at An Evening with President Obama at Melbourne's John Cain Arena on Wednesday.
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However, she was told she was being "too difficult" and removed from proceedings after asking organisers Growth Faculty to make accommodations for a support person to accompany her, the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation said.
It was also requested that Aunty Joy give Mr Obama a gift in-line with cultural practices.
"I have been shocked and distressed by the way I have been treated by event organisers," Aunty Joy said.
"I am 78 years of age. I have never been treated or spoken to in this way in the past. I do not want this to be a reflection on president Obama. I am a leader of the Wurundjeri Nation. I asked to be treated as an equal."
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On Thursday, organisers said they had been working with Aunty Joy and the Wurundjeri community for many weeks ahead of the event.
"Due to security requirements, the organisation was unable to accommodate last minute changes to the agreed upon ceremony," the organisation said in a statement.
"Growth Faculty has apologised to Aunty Joy that last night's ceremony could not be changed."
They said she had accepted an invitation to perform a Welcome to Country at a business lunch in Melbourne on Thursday.
Wurundjeri-Willam woman Mandy Nicholson delivered the welcome to country at the Wednesday event, alongside a performance by the Djirri-Djirri dancers.
Welcome to country protocols were traditional law and practice used to welcome and offer protection to guests on Wurundjeri lands for millennia, the corporation said.
It pointed to Aunty Joy as having also welcomed the Queen, Nelson Mandela and the Dalai Lama to country, and said guests of honour participating in the welcome was a public sign of respect.
Australian Associated Press
