An Indigenous elder that was due to perform a Welcome to Country at Barack Obama’s Melbourne event, has been left “shocked and distressed” after organisers removed her.
Mr Obama, 61, appeared at John Cain Arena on Wednesday evening as part of a ticketed speaking tour, which kicked off in Sydney on Tuesday.
The “Evening with President Obama”, hosted by Growth Faculty, will take attendees on a journey of “resilience, perseverance and triumph” as the 44th President of the US shares his journey to the most powerful office in the free world.
However the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation were shocked after learning that Traditional Owner Aunty Joy Murphy had been omitted from proceedings.
The group said that after asking the organisers to make “appropriate accommodations for a support person” to accompany Aunty Joy at the event, and for the opportunity to provide Mr Obama with a gift, they were subsequently removed.
In a statement they said Aunty Joy and the Wurundjeri community were “thrilled to have been offered the opportunity” to welcome Mr Obama.
“She was told that she was being ‘too difficult’ and was removed from the event proceedings,” the statement said.
Mr Obama, 61, will appear at John Cain Arena on Wednesday evening as part of a ticketed speaking tour, which kicked off in Sydney on Tuesday. Picture: NCA Newswire/ Monique Harmer
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During the Sydney event, Mr Obama discussed a range of topics including his first Aussie trip as a child, the rise of China and the world’s future with MC Julie Bishop. Picture: Julian Andrews
“This is a deep offence to the Wurundjeri people and to all First Nations people.
“Our Welcome to Country protocols are our traditional law and practice that have been used to welcome and offer protection to our guests on Wurundjeri lands for millennia.”
Aunty Joy – who has previously performed ceremonies for Queen Elizabeth II, Nelson Mandela, and the Dalai Lama – said she has never been treated this way before.
“I have been shocked and distressed by the way I have been treated by event organisers.
“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.”
The statement added that the Wurundjeri people are saddened and it’s caused grief within the community.
During the Sydney event, Mr Obama discussed a range of topics including his first Aussie trip as a child, the rise of China and the world’s future with MC Julie Bishop.
A flurry of photos have since emerged of both Mr Obama and wife Michelle at a range of different restaurants and iconic venues in Sydney.
The pair were welcomed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at Kirribilli House on Monday.