Connection to Country - Connection to Place

1. Background

Create NSW acknowledges and respects First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we walk, live, and work. It values their enduring connection to these lands and their rich ancestral cultural heritage. It aims to support First Nations and non-First Nations artists, arts and cultural workers to continue to learn and advocate the importance of this knowledge.

Create NSW strongly encourages all applicants to consider how their projects connect to and honour the oldest continuing culture in human history.

2. Definitions and differentiation

Connection to Country

For First Nations peoples, "Country" is a well-known invaluable term that is used to describe the physical known landscape and beyond. Country encompasses the land, waters, skies, all living things as well as the cultural and spiritual, the ancestral connections to these elements. 

Country is integral as it reflects cultural identity, heritage, and cultural practices, representing the holistic and deep relationships with the natural environment that is celebrated and conceptually passed down through generations. The term promotes First Nations individuals and communities the autonomy to describe their connection including aspects such as environmental stewardship, historical significance, personal histories, and even emotional experiences.

Connection to Place

In this context, "Place" refers to a specific location or environment that holds personal, emotional, spiritual or cultural significance to a non-First Nations individual or community.  This can include natural geographical landscapes, urban man-made settings, historical sites, or any area that people feel and want to articulate a meaningful attachment toward. The term allows individuals or communities to describe their connection that can include aspects such as environmental stewardship, historical significance, personal histories, and emotional experiences. 

If non-First Nations peoples are working with First Nations artists, arts workers and their communities it is become increasingly important they outline how they are following protocols, practicing and protecting Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP).

3. Criteria - Connection to Country (Creative Nations funding)

This criterion ensures funding for First Nations arts and culture goes directly to First Nations people and communities. It also requires First Nation’s artists, arts and culture workers to demonstrate Aboriginal Arts and Cultural Protocols and how ICIP is being applied to their cultural expressions through their work. 

You must answer:

How does the location/s of the project make sure there is a meaningful connection to Country?

Create NSW strongly suggests applicants respond to:

You may want to consider the following:

• Where will the project take place?
• Why have you chosen the place or places for the project to take place in?
• How will the project create a meaningful and authentic connection with First Nations people/communities?
• Who will be your audience?
• How will you demonstrate your Connection to Country. Consider how First Nations Identity is expressed  (First Nations NSW Confirmation & Connection and how Aboriginal Arts and Culture Protocols are observed and Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) is protected?

4. Criteria - Connection to Place 

(Regional Arts Touring funding)

This criterion seeks to inspire and further educate non-First Nations artists and creative applicants to appreciate and respect the authentic and deep connections First Nations artists have with their connection to land. By understanding and valuing these connections and the history of colonisation, applicants can incorporate depth and authenticity into their own creative work without misappropriating cultural elements.

It asks you to reflect on the ways your artwork can acknowledge place and, more so, to engage with the relevant First Nations culture and communities. However, it is not a requirement of the project to engage with First Nations artists, communities or stories. It may be the project engages in another way of connecting to place. It does require that some type of connection is made between the project and where it is located.

You will be asked to answer:

How does the physical location/s of the project make sure there is a meaningful connection to place?

You may want to consider the following:

• Where will the project take place?
• Why have you chosen the place or places for the project to take place in?

If you are a non-First Nations applicant working with First Nations arts and culture, artists or communities, you must answer:

• How are you connecting with First Nations people/communities?
• What connections have you already established?
• How do you understand and follow Aboriginal Arts and Culture Protocols and Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP)?

5. Connection to Country & Connection to Place Statements

You may be asked to provide this if the people assessing your application (Assessment Board) seek more information about how and in what capacity you are working with First Nations arts and culture.

Create NSW needs to ensure that:

• funding for First Nations arts and culture goes directly to First Nations people and communities (First Nations NSW Confirmation & Connection)
• people working with First Nation’s arts and culture are fair, transparent and respectful. This means Aboriginal Arts and Culture Protocols and Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) are followed.

The Connection to Country or Connection to Place Statements aims to show a grounded understanding and respect for First Nations art and culture in your project. Its purpose is to show that you understand the basics of cultural protocols and what Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) is.

This includes:

1. Cultural Sensitivity:  Helps start the process for everyone to understand and gain further respect towards First Nations peoples’ culture and traditions.
2. Defined Equity and Inclusion:  Promotes fairness for everyone in everything you do yourself or with organisations.
3. Ongoing Community Engagement: Makes strong and lasting relationships with First Nations communities.
4. Genuine Practical Policies and Practices:  Shows the people who assess your application that you or your organisation understand the protocols.
5. First Nations Self-Determination: Show that you understand and support First Nations self-determination and opportunities for First Nations creatives and arts and cultural workers in your own words.

The statement gives you the opportunity to show how you connect to First Nations people/communities.

Describe how your project will follow the Cultural Protocols, incorporating:

• Cultural Authority
• Specific Rights Recognition
• Informed and Agreed Consent
• Defined Cultural Integrity
• Explicit Benefit Sharing