'Difficult' Indigenous elder gets apology over Obama snub

Organisers of Barack Obama’s speaking event have apologised for stopping Aunty Joy Murphy from performing a Welcome to Country in Melbourne. Source: AAP / LUIS ASCUI

Organisers of a Barack Obama event in Melbourne have apologised to a senior Aboriginal elder after removing her from a Welcome to Country ceremony for the former US president in the hours before the event. An Aboriginal cultural heritage group says the incident should serve as a reminder to engage in meaningful relationships with First Nations people.

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Published 30 March 2023 6:45pm

By Phillippa Carisbrooke

Presented by Claire Slattery

Source: SBS News

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Organisers of a Barack Obama event in Melbourne have apologised to a senior Aboriginal elder after removing her from a Welcome to Country ceremony for the former US president in the hours before the event. An Aboriginal cultural heritage group says the incident should serve as a reminder to engage in meaningful relationships with First Nations people.

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