Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural material in a culturally appropriate manner. It involves the complex and interrelated elements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, which are the cultural and intellectual properties of specific communities; elements that may only be interpreted by appropriate persons, for example those recognised by the local Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community as an Elder or custodian of local cultural knowledge.
It applies to individuals who source, handle, interpret and exhibit Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander cultural material in accordance with specific cultural and consultative requirements. The cultural knowledge necessary to achieve competency in this unit may only be accessible to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people. This unit also reflects that there is no single Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander culture.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Source Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander cultural material | 1.1 Identify and locate cultural material that may be appropriate for exhibition or display 1.2 Confirm traditional ownership of material in consultation with appropriate communities 1.3 Consult with traditional custodians to determine suitable keeping place for materials not authorised for general exhibition 1.4 Negotiate permission and advice for the use of cultural material according to cultural protocols 1.5 Complete documentation including records and agreements according to cultural protocols 1.6 Research issues and protocols in relation to the return of cultural material to local Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander communities |
2. Handle Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander cultural material | 2.1 Describe, move, store and maintain cultural material according to cultural requirements 2.2 Note aspects of objects that need repair or attention and take action within scope of own job role or refer to relevant personnel as required 2.3 Communicate specific cultural requirements to colleagues |
3. Prepare Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander cultural material for exhibition | 3.1 Consult with custodians to agree on culturally appropriate approaches to promote, exhibit and display material, and limitations to mode of exhibit 3.2 Develop culturally appropriate interpretive approaches 3.3 Develop exhibition support materials that take account of cultural protocols in consultation with custodians 3.4 Communicate requirements for display or exhibition of cultural material to colleagues |
4. Display and return Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander cultural material | 4.1 Display material according to agreed cultural protocols and consultation outcomes 4.2 Prepare material for return in accordance with cultural requirements 4.3 Return cultural material to local Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander communities in accordance with established cultural issues and protocols |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence of the ability to:
source Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander cultural material for display or exhibition
consult in a culturally sensitive and effective manner with Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community members and custodians about the display of cultural material
develop agreements for the use of cultural material and record them where required
undertake activities preparing for the display of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander cultural material in a logical and efficient manner, demonstrating knowledge of cultural protocols and practices
move, store, display, maintain and return cultural material in a manner consistent with established cultural protocols.
Note: If a specific volume or frequency is not stated, then evidence must be provided at least once.
Evidence of Knowledge
To complete the unit requirements safely and effectively, the individual must:
explain nature and scope of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander cultural material appropriate for exhibition or display
identify appropriate keeping places for cultural material not suitable/forbidden for exhibition or display
explain issues and protocols relating to the use and return of cultural material to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander communities
identify copyright, moral rights and intellectual property issues with particular reference to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander cultural material
identify sources of support for developing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander collections
describe current conventions of collection management, including appropriate consultations and respect for traditional custodianship when working with Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander cultural material, including non-western concepts of collecting
explain cultural protocols and appropriate consultations for identifying, moving, storing, maintaining and displaying cultural material in the relevant community context
explain current industry policy on acquiring and managing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural material.
Assessment Conditions
Assessment must be conducted in a safe environment where evidence gathered demonstrates consistent performance of typical activities experienced in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage environments. The assessment environment must include access to:
Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander cultural material or information on material when access is not available
information about cultural protocols.
Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational educational and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.
Assessment must ensure involvement in the assessment process of persons approved of by Elders, appropriate persons or custodians of the relevant Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community.
Foundation Skills
This section describes language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills incorporated in the performance criteria that are required for competent performance.
Skill | Performance Criteria | Description |
Reading | 1.6 | Gathers, interprets and analyses information from a range of sources and identifies key information that assists in determining job and cultural requirements |
Writing | 1.5, 2.2, 3.3 | Prepares specific information that conveys an understanding of outcomes and alternatives and uses accurate, specific and appropriate terminology appropriate to present to relevant personnel Completes relevant supporting documentation using clear and technically specific language terminology that reflect appropriate cultural protocols |
Oral Communication | 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 2.3, 3.1, 3.3, 3.4 | Uses culturally sensitive language to convey ideas and listens carefully to the needs of community members and custodians Uses a range of persuasive responses appropriate to audience and environment and makes comparisons that show an understanding of requirements Uses appropriate tone, pace and listening and questioning techniques to elicit others’ views and confirm understanding |
Navigate the world of work | 1.1, 1.6, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1 | Takes responsibility for following explicit and implicit policies, procedures and protocols relevant to own role and the cultural requirements associated with work |
Interact with others | 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 2.3, 3.1, 3.3, 3.4 | Shows respect for the values, beliefs and cultural expectations of others when communicating with colleagues and external stakeholders Collaborates with others to achieve joint outcomes playing an active role in facilitating agreement |
Get the work done | 1.1, 1.6, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 | Takes responsibility for planning, organising and implementing tasks and systems to manage and display culturally sensitive information and materials Systematically gathers and analyses all relevant information and evaluates options in order to make informed decisions Uses problem solving techniques to identify and analyse issues |
Sectors
Cultural services - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage