Jade Jungwirth
Jade Jungwirth
Members of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria visited Castlemaine on Sunday to host a yarning circle about the Victorian treaty.
The clubrooms at the Castlemaine Bowling Club were jam-packed with local community members and First Nation allies, all keen to discuss ways they could aid the statewide treaty process.
Representatives of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria including north west engagement project officers, Yorta Yorta man Jordan Knight, and Wamba Wamba, Mutthi Mutthi woman Tallara Kelly-O’Brien outlined the treaty process and engaged participants in group activities exploring ways to best support First Peoples.
“The journey to treaty should be led by First Nations Peoples but it’s not a journey that we can take alone,” Jordan said.
“Aboriginal people make up three per cent of Australia so we don’t have a big enough voice, or big enough representation. The more allies, the more support we have, the easier it makes it for us.”
What is the Victorian treaty?
Victoria’s treaty is about putting practical frameworks in place to implement better policies and make sure First Peoples have a say in decisions that impact First Peoples’ lives.
Throughout history, First Peoples have been excluded from social and economic opportunities through the actions of successive governments, creating an opportunity gap between First Peoples and other Victorians, a gap that continues today.
Without significant change, this exclusion will continue – regardless of the good intentions of Victorians who embrace and respect Aboriginal people and culture.
Why do we need a treaty?
Treaty gives First Peoples a pathway to change what isn’t working and have a say on the decisions that impact their lives. It is an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the unique status, rights, cultures and histories of First Peoples and to bring Victorian communities together to build strong relationships based on respect.
A brief history
– The First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria, operating for the past four years, is the independent body representing First Peoples in Victoria’s treaty process.
– Assembly members are democratically elected representatives from Traditional Owners in all areas of the state.
– Following its second general election, the First Peoples’ Assembly publicly declared its intention to negotiate a statewide treaty on behalf of First Peoples’ in Victoria, and has been registered on the Negotiations Database to do so.
Yoorrook Justice Commission
– The Yoorrook Justice Commission is the first formal truth-telling process into historical and ongoing injustices experienced by First Peoples in Victoria.
– The four-year-long royal commission delivered an interim report in 2022 and, a critical issues report in 2023.
– Set up by agreement between the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria and the Victorian Government, the independent commission will officially conclude on June 30. The findings and recommendations of the commission will help inform the treaty.
– In the inquiry’s final weeks, Yoorrook Commissioner Travis Lovett walked across half of the state in an attempt to raise awareness of the commission’s historic work. The 500km walk from Portland reached its conclusion at Melbourne’s Parliament House on Wednesday.
– To find out more visit: yoorrookjusticecommission.org.au
How treaty negotiations will work?
Statewide treaty negotiations opened with a ceremonial event on November 21, 2024.
Laws passed by the Victorian Parliament determine what can be included in treaty agreements.
The Victorian government and the First Peoples’ Assembly have agreed and established all the elements required under the Treaty Act, including a Treaty Authority, Self-Determination Fund, Treaty Negotiation Framework and a dispute resolution process.
The Victorian Government will negotiate a Statewide Treaty and local Traditional Owner Treaties.
Traditional Owner Treaty negotiations will be led by First Peoples’ Treaty delegations made up of all traditional owners who want to negotiate treaty over a particular local area.
The Dja Dja Wurrung people have announced their intent to seek a treaty with the state government. They are the first Victorian traditional owners to seek treaty with the state government.
To find out more visit www.firstpeoplesrelations.vic.gov.au/treaty and/or join the Team Treaty mailing list at: www.firstpeoplesvic.org/sign-up
