Indigenous elder excluded from Obama's Australia event for being 'too difficult'

organiser of a Wednesday night event featuring former US President Barack Obama has apologised for cancelling appearance of an aboriginal woman who was scheduled to deliver greeting to country, reported Guardian. While apologising, organisers shared that because of "security reasons" y have forced a last-minute change to programme, which excluded Wurundjeri elder Aunty Joy Murphy. tably, she has been asked to join Obama for lunch on Thursday. Earlier, Aunty Joy was supposed to welcome Obama to Wurundjeri land as part of his newest speaking tour of Australia. However, she has been removed by event's organisers, Growth Faculty, after she requested a support person to assist her at event at John Cain Arena, as well as a gift in accordance with tritional practice. "She was told she was being 'too difficult' and was removed from event proceedings," re statement by Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Herit Aboriginal Corporation. 

“I am 78 years of . I have never been treated or spoken to in this way in past. I do t want this to be a reflection on President Obama. I am a leer of Wurundjeri Nation. I asked to be treated as an equal, " said Wurundjeri elder Aunty Joy Murphy.

Wurundjeri elder Aunty Joy's appearance in Australia cancelled 

Wurundjeri people and all First Nations people have been deeply offended by incident. Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Herit Aboriginal Corporation stated: "Our Welcome to Country protocols are our tritional law and practice that has been used to welcome and offer protection to our guests on Wurundjeri lands for millennia.” 78-year-old, Aunty Joy has been welcoming dignitaries including Nelson Mandela and Queen. Furr, woman herself said that she was shocked at way she h been treated. “y have always shown me respect and accepted my Welcome as a gift from our people,” said Aunty Joy reported guardian citing a local newspaper.  Furr, she ded, “I have been shocked and distressed by way I have been treated by event organisers." Meanwhile, spokesperson for Growth Faculty said in a statement that as Aunty Joy's appearance was cancelled, hence former US President Barack Obama welcome to country was inste delivered by a Wurundjeri-Willam woman, Mandy Nicholson. According to organisers, y have been "working with Aunty Joy and Wurundjeri community for many weeks ahe of last night’s event". 

“Due to security requirements, organisation was unable to accommodate last-minute changes to agreed-upon ceremony. Growth Faculty has apologised to Aunty Joy that last night’s ceremony could t be changed,” said Spokesperson.