Perth Airport Criticised For Not Consulting Traditional Owners Enough In Dual Name Initiative
A Traditional Owner says Perth Airport “missed the mark” after using an incorrect destination name.
Perth Airport has become the first major airport in the country to acknowledge Traditional Owners at its boarding gates, but has been criticised for getting some key details wrong.
Screens across three terminals will display the commonly used destination names alongside the names of language groups for nearly 60 domestic locations. “Reconciliation is about connections, and beginning to acknowledge Country is a way to connect with the First Nations peoples of Australia in genuine and meaningful,” said CEO Kevin Brown on Friday. “This is a small but meaningful step in our efforts to create a better understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal culture and traditions.”
For example, a flight to Adelaide will read “Adelaide/Kaurna Country”, while flights to Newman, north of Perth, will be displayed as “Newman/Nyiyaparli Country”. However, their title for Esperance, towards of the bottom of Western Australia, is incorrect. Jennell Reynolds from the Esperance Tjaltjraak Native Title Aboriginal Corporation told the ABC that it should be Wudjari Country, instead of Ngadju Country — as picked by Perth Airport.
“Obviously the genuine meaningful comment they made about acknowledging First Nations people when they didn’t even have the courtesy to come talk to Traditional Owner groups was disappointing,” Reynolds told the broadcaster. “They’ve sort of missed the mark in relation to what they’re trying to achieve”.
Perth Airport responded to say they will work with local Indigenous groups to change any wrong names after feedback is given, and maintain they conducted extensive consultations ahead of the launch. “We very much welcome the discussion and want to make sure we get this right and learn and grow along the way, as well as educate the passengers that we serve,” said Perth Airport Chief Commercial Officer Kate Holsgrove to the ABC.
The airport’s estate is itself located on the communication routes, meeting places, and camping sites of the Whadjuk people of the Noongar Nation.
Photo Credit: Perth Airport