INDIGENOUS peoples meeting in Lakes Entrance have moved forward on a united position for a proposed treaty between the indigenous community and the state government.
Members of the First Peoples Assembly of Victoria, meeting over two days on the land of the Gunaikurnai at the seaside town, agreed on more key details of the treaty negotiation framework it will soon put to the government. The First Peoples Assembly of Victoria is the democratic voice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people that aims to negotiate a Treaty in Victoria.
Assembly co-chair and Bangerang and Wiradjuri Elder, Aunty Geraldine Atkinson, said the Treaty would deal with state-wide matters that would sit alongside a number of treaties that various Traditional Owner groups would negotiate with the government. But she stressed that general elections would need to be held before negotiations began.
“The Assembly has representatives of nations from across the state and more and more people are enrolling to show their support and have a say in our elections. We’ve been out yarning with mob, working out what Treaty needs to deliver. We’ve built a strong collective voice for our people and we want to use it,” Aunty Geraldine said.
With Truth-telling underway and an independent Treaty ‘umpire’ soon to be established, she indicated the remaining tasks for the current group of the Assembly’s Members this term was to agree with the government about a self-determination fund and the framework that will guide future negotiations.
The Assembly will then hold general elections next year to allow Victoria’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community to choose representatives who will negotiate a state-wide Treaty, while Traditional Owner groups begin preparing for treaties specific to their lands and waters.
“We want the framework to support Traditional Owners to decide how they want to approach negotiations. This won’t be a one-size fits all thing, it’s about empowering groups to choose and shape their own pathway forwards,” Aunty Geraldine said.
The Members are still working through how different Traditional Owner groups in the same area will form single Treaty ‘negotiation delegations’ for the one region, relying on the soon-to-be created Treaty Authority if needed to help settle disputes.
Agreement with the government about the self-determination fund and the treaty negotiation framework is expected to be reached before the state election, but the framework will be reviewed within the first 12 months and include the ability to make amendments.
“We’ve had a very productive two days with lots of fantastic conversations. A lot was put on the table and we still have a bit of work to do to translate it all into the proposed framework, but it’s clear we’re on the home stretch. The big question now is will the government put its money where its mouth is and provide the actual resources needed to bring Treaty to life, is yet to be seen,” Aunty Geraldine said.
