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talking to the students later that restlessness in
the audience while he was telling a story did not
necessarily mean that they were not listening.
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You should not expect too many questions
from people at public meetings. The reason for
this is that in Aboriginal society, it is bad
manners to be too curious or inquisitive.
Aboriginal people resist answering too many
questions because it goes against their idea of
independence and privacy.
Do not pose hypothetical questions. Aboriginal
people deal in practical real issues.
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Don’t make assumptions - and clarify
throughout the process.
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Generally speaking an Aboriginal audience
contains more people talking and more people
moving about, than would a non-Aboriginal
audience. A new non-Aboriginal teacher at
Milingimbi was surprised to discover while
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How people pay attention at meetings
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• Practice being indirect and develop the art of
distancing yourself from an idea.
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• Avoid causing anyone to suffer the loss of
personal dignity; and
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• Avoid direct criticism;
Asking questions at meetings
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• Avoid personal names and references (eg
“Well John over there reckons this is a good
idea.” or “I heard people in the community
say this is a good idea”);
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Pr o t o c o l s f o r Co n s u l t a t i o n a n d Ne g o t i a t i o n w i t h Ab o r i g i n a l Pe o p l e