More than 2000 people attended Treaty Day Out on Saturday – it was a great event for community to come together on Country.
DJAARA chair and Dja Dja Wurrung Reserved seat holder Trent Nelson performed the smoking ceremony, while Dja Dja Wurrung Group CEO Rodney Carter welcomed everybody to Country.
The Wulumbarra dancers performed the Barramul (Emu) dance. Several Dja Dja Wurrung businesses also had stalls on the day.
Members gathered on the morning of Treaty Day Out to hear what has been happening in the Treaty space with Trent Nelson, Dja Dja Wurrung Representative on the First Peoples’ Assembly, along with First People’s Assembly North West Engagement Project Officers Jordan Knight and Calinda Egan.
Members shared their thoughts on Treaty, including the importance of involving our youth in these processes as our future generation.
DJAARA staff have also been talking Treaty with Jordan recently. Conversations have included the now legislated Treaty Authority, the Treaty Negotiation Framework and the Self Determination fund.
Key Points about Treaty and the First Peoples’ Assembly
The First People’s Assembly of Victoria (FPAV) is made up of 31 members who are all proud Traditional Owners of Country in Victoria.
Dja Dja Wurrung have a represented seat on the Assembly, which is currently held by Trent Nelson.
The Treaty Authority is currently being established, after the Treaty Authority Bill was passed in Parliament in August. The Treaty Authority will be an independent, First Nations-led umpire to oversee Treaty negotiations – it will be independent of both government and the FPAV.
The Assembly is currently establishing the Treaty Negotiation Framework – the rules for how Treaty will be negotiated. Actual Treaty negotiations haven’t started yet.
When Treaty is negotiated, there will be a State-wide Treaty as well as separate Treaties negotiated with Traditional Owner groups. Each group would have their own Treaty and also be covered by the State-wide Treaty.
A Self-Determination fund will be established to benefit all First Peoples in Victoria during the Treaty negotiation process and beyond. The fund will be controlled by First Peoples and be used to:
- make sure First Peoples are on equal footing with the State Government in Treaty negotiations
- support First Peoples to build capacity, wealth and prosperity for current and future generations.
Into the future, the ultimate goal is for the Assembly to be empowered to make laws, consult with Victorian Parliament and control the administration of Aboriginal Affairs.
What Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have asked for is to have Aboriginal people looking after Aboriginal People. We are hoping for an Aboriginal Parliament that will sit beside the Victorian Parliament.
How do we stay informed about Treaty?
- Enrol on the Treaty website to get email updates and you can yarn one-on-one with Jordan
- Follow FPAV on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter
- Get in touch with Jacinta [treaty@djadjawurrung.com.au] at DJAARA for more information
Upcoming yarns
Online Treaty yarning circle via Zoom for the North West on the first Wed of every month https://www.firstpeoplesvic.org/events/treaty-yarning-circle-north-west/
Keep an eye out for future Treaty yarning circles!
LINKS
https://www.firstpeoplesvic.org/
DJAARA chair and Dja Dja Wurrung Reserved seat holder, Trent Nelson, on stage with Rodney Carter Dja Dja Wurrung Group CEO for the Welcome to Country and smoking Ceremony.
Dja Dja Wurrung Elders, Aunty Millie Atkinson and Uncle Tommy Baksh welcome the Wollumbarra Dancers to stage.
Wulumbarra Dancers perform the Barramul (Emu) dance.
Treaty Representatives take the stage.
