Indigenous elder Aunty Joy Murphy removed from Obama talk

A company has apologised after an ‘abhorrent’ decision to bar an Indigenous elder from performing a traditional ceremony at a Barack Obama event.

Organisers of Barack Obama’s speaking event in Melbourne have apologised after an Indigenous elder was stopped from performing a Welcome to Country ceremony – a move slammed as “abhorrent”.

Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin had been asked to open the event with the traditional ceremony on Wednesday night but she was stopped at the last minute, according to the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation.

The Wurundjeri elder said she was told she was being “too difficult” before she was removed from the event proceedings just hours before the talk was due to begin.

Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin was upset after being prevented from delivering a Welcome to Country. Picture: AAP Image/David Crosling

Former US president Barack Obama arrived in Australia on Monday and has given two talks in Sydney and Melbourne. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

Aunty Joy said she asked the event organisers Growth Faculty to accommodate requests for her to have a support person and to provide Mr Obama with a gum leaf gift as is custom in Wurundjeri culture.

But she said she was told the requests were excessive before she was removed from the event.

On Thursday, the organisers said they had apologised to Aunty Joy and blamed security issues for the decision.

“Growth Faculty holds deep respect for Australia’s traditional owners and is proud to be hosting events this week on the lands of the Wurundjeri people,” the statement said.

“Due to security requirements, the organisation was unable to accommodate last-minute changes to the agreed upon ceremony.”

The organisers noted they had worked with Aunty Joy and the Wurundjeri community “for many weeks” prior to the event.

Tickets to Mr Obama’s talks start at around $200 and climb to $895 for a platinum package. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

The Wurundjeri elder has been asked to perform a Welcome to Country at a business lunch with Mr Obama in Melbourne on Thursday.

“The organisers rang and apologised and reinvited me to perform a Welcome today. I have accepted their apology and will receive (former) President Obama on behalf of my people,” Aunty Joy said in a statement.

“Although it saddens me to think that I had to go through the events of yesterday, I’m happy that Aboriginal culture has been given appropriate recognition.”

“It will be my great pleasure to welcome the first Black American President to Wurundjeri Country on behalf of my community and my ancestors.”

NCA NewsWire was told the 78-year-old elder was so upset after being removed from proceedings on Thursday that she had to lie down.

“I have been shocked and distressed by the way I have been treated by event organisers,” she said.

“I am 78 years of age. I have never been treated or spoken to in this way in the past.”

Aunty Joy Wandin Murphy has welcomed the Queen and Nelson Mandela to Wurundjeri Country. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Ian Currie

As senior Aboriginal elder of the Wurundjeri people, Aunty Joy has welcomed the Queen, Nelson Mandela and the Dalai Lama in past ceremonies.

“The Welcome to Country is a very important ceremony for our people. It is an honour to welcome people like President Obama and I upset that I am unable to do this today,” Aunty Joy said.

A Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Corporation spokesperson said Aunty Joy’s treatment was “abhorrent” and a “deep offence” to all First Nations people.