ABORIGINAL TENT EMBASSY RULES
(As re-written by the Aboriginal Tent Embassy Work Group (ATEWG) endorsed by the Council of elders on the 27th January 2022)
The Aboriginal Tent Embassy is a neutral ground, a common meeting place for all Aboriginal Peoples/ Nations.
The following regulations are set out in accordance with cultural and spiritual protocols.
Anyone planning to visit the Aboriginal Tent Embassy must receive a copy of this document and seek permission to camp from the Aboriginal Tent Embassy Caretaker. If you are proposing an event, please contact the Caretaker and seek permission from the elected Sovereign Body of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy Working Group. Information needed to consider your application should provide logistics, that is, for example numbers of people attending, who is proposed MC etc. There is a camping available for First Nations People attending any organised event by the Aboriginal Tent Embassy.
Please check in with the Caretaker, for approval and how you might proceed.
Non- Aboriginal People should seek permission to come on-site.
The Embassy is a place for all First Nations Peoples to assert our Sovereignty. The aim of our Embassy is to assert Aboriginal Sovereignty, Peace Negotiations, to cease the undeclared war on all Aboriginal People, De-Colonisation, Truth telling and to recover our ancient systems of governance, of our lives and our lands, create a culturally safe place for all First Nations People. Welcome to all those who come to the Embassy to serve Aboriginal Peoples interests to recover our self-determining lives and lands in our efforts to de-colonise.
Zero Tolerance:
1. Sacred fire-to be respected, there will be no violence, anger, racism or rubbish left around the sacred fire.
2. Drugs and Alcohol on Embassy – Perpetrators will be removed at the discretion of the caretaker. THE EMBASSY IS A DRY CAMP no alcohol, no drugs, no exceptions.
3. Violence on Embassy – Perpetrators will be removed at the discretion of the caretaker.
The Embassy is a violence free zone no exceptions.
4. Racism in all its forms will not be tolerated
5. Abuse – No violence, verbal, sexual, or physical threats on the Embassy towards any persons will be tolerated. You will be asked to leave immediately by the caretaker, and we will discuss with the Embassy support network immediately. If your behaviour persists, we will have the AFP /ACT authorities forcibly remove you.
The Embassy has a zero-tolerance policy for those who break the Embassy rules.
Those who do break the rules will be called to a meeting at the fire and asked to explain in front of the Sovereign Elected Body of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy ATEWG, Embassy crew and Embassy support network. A period of suspension from attending the Embassy may be imposed.
GENERAL EMBASSY RULES
- Respect all people, allow all to speak with permission if applicable
- Respect, trust, and acknowledge all people on the Embassy crew and Support networks
- No Bullying, violence or intimidation
- No disrespect
1. All public meetings will be conducted on site with online attendance enabled also.
- A camp meeting will be called by the caretaker all camp members to discuss with Caretaker.
- This is the place that any idea, news or grievance can be aired and responded to or can be sent to our email which will be replied to ASAP:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
2. The Embassy is a camping area where permission must be given to camp on site.
- Anyone wishing to camp at the Embassy site must inform the caretaker during daylight hours. In deciding to camp at the Embassy you agree to follow the rules of the Embassy, and will be scrutinised for any failure to comply with the rules.
- Please be self-sufficient. Bring your own camping requirements, water etc
- This is a site for asserting First Nations Peoples Sovereignty, Peace Talks, De-colonisation, Truth and Governance. While we understand better than others the impact of colonial violence the extent of inter-generational trauma and its manifestation in the poverty, homelessness and mental and physical health issues, which are of critical proportion within our communities, the priority of our work will focus on the assertion of our Sovereignty, and de-colonisation. While the work of the Embassy takes priority we will support our People by way of referrals to the appropriate services.
- It is expected that Embassy residents will contribute to the running costs of the kitchen and the fire and contribute towards the growth and maintenance of the camp as overseen by the caretaker. Everyone puts into kitty tin for food, firewood and camp maintenance. Our laws of reciprocity will be centred, as we decolonise from the destructive impact of constructs of disadvantage and welfare ways of being, to sovereign and respectful ways of being.
- A meeting will be convened each week with Embassy organisers and the Embassy caretaker to set the work roster and cleaning process for the coming week including kitchen duties. This will not be a colonial mission managed approach but rather an opportunity to assert, recover our ancient Sovereign ways of respect and collaboration.
3. Funds
All money matters regarding the Embassy must be endorsed by the Embassy. Individuals must not claim to be representing the Embassy to raise funds e.g. Go fund me accounts, without the permission of the Embassy.
There is only one Aboriginal Tent Embassy bank account to be running, and that is managed by the Embassy governance.
All embassy donations from money jars, or otherwise, go into the official Embassy bank
account. All donations are kept track of by the caretaker, recorded by hand and passed through the official bank account. Except for those that are spent before banking, these expenses must be recorded in the official record book with receipts attached (stapled to page). Accountability and transparency is acting Sovereign in a caring and sharing way, that considers all of the people.
4. Roles and Structure
Embassy Roles: One Caretaker and Firekeeper- can be same person or 2 individuals. These roles are appointed and passed on by the ATEWG Sovereign Body of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy.
No one single person owns the fire, the fire owns itself.
Additional Roles: Embassy support network composed of Embassy supporters not physically living at the Embassy, Embassy support crew physically living on the Embassy grounds. Kitchen Crew as appointed by the Caretaker at weekly meetings.
Media: The Embassy has one email address, one Facebook page, and so forth, run by the Embassy Appointed Caretaker, operating at the Embassy. All media outlets, such as Facebook, claiming to represent the Embassy but are not, should be shut down immediately.
Official Spaces are to be respected, no one has the right to interfere with or disrupt a meeting or focus group that is in session.
Grievances Procedure: inform the Caretaker, issues will be looked at by ATEWG Sovereign Body. Please address grievances in writing address
ATEWG Sovereign Body
19 King George Terrace
Parkes ACT 2600
or email
ENFORCEMENT PROCESS
If any of the above rules are breached in any fashion, a meeting will be called with the perpetrator asked to explain.
Minor issues will be treated with action from the meeting. If someone is asked to leave, it is usually for 6 months for minor misdemeanour.
More serious cases will be passed on to the ATEWG Sovereign Body, Elders and Family of the perpetrator and Embassy support network for immediate action. AFP/ACT police and authorities will be notified for immediate action if serious breaches of the rules occur.
We note that the above rules are for the protection of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy, for its continued existence, our people and our children, and the ongoing future of our culture.
Caretaker contact: Nioka Coe Craigie,
