Wurundjeri Traditional Owner Aunty Joy Wandin has expressed her shock and hurt at being ejected from an event with former US president Barack Obama.
The esteemed Elder had been asked to welcome the 44th President of the United States to her Country.
The former leader was appearing at 'An Evening with Barack Obama' at Melbourne's John Cain Arena, an event organised by The Growth Faculty.
But after asking for permission to follow cultural protocol, she was scrapped from the program.
Prior to the event, she had requested that someone come along with her as a support person. She also deemed it appropriate to present Obama with a gift, .
Aunty Joy alleges she was told she was being "too difficult" and then was removed from performing the Welcome to Country.
"I am 78 years of age. I have never been treated or spoken to in this way in the past," she said.
"I am a leader of the Wurundjeri Nation. I asked to be treated as an equal."
Aunty Joy was removed from delivering the Welcome to Country at an event on Wednesday night. Source: Supplied / Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation
Obama and guests were welcomed instead by Wurundjeri-Willam woman Mandy Nicholson.
An esteemed history
For over 40 years, Aunty Joy has welcomed people to her ancestral Country, including Nelson Mandela, the Dalai Lama, and the late Queen Elizabeth.
In June of 2021, she welcomed lightweight boxer Devin Haney and presented him with a traditional possum fur.
"They have always shown me respect and accepted my Welcome as a gift from our people," she said.
"I have been shocked and distressed by the way I have been treated by this event."
Aunty Joy said she didn't want the incident to be a reflection on the former President Barack Obama. Source: AP / Patrick Semansky/AP
They explained it was deeply offensive to the Wurundjeri people.
On Thursday morning, Growth Faculty issued a statement, saying they had apologised to Aunty Joy.
The organisation said they had been working with Aunty Joy and the Wurundjeri community for "many weeks ahead" of Wednesday night's event.
"Due to security requirements, the organisation was unable to accommodate last-minute changes to the agreed upon ceremony," they said.
Not only had Aunty Joy been removed from delivering the welcome at Wednesday night's event, but Growth Faculty had also removed her from issuing the welcome at the business lunch with Obama on Thursday.
They have since repealed that decision.
