Region: Metropolitan
Reserved Seat: No

Engagement:

Over the last few months, I’ve attended many community gatherings, activities, yarns, and catchups. I’ve also participated in many events with different groups to progress our treaty aspirations. Many talks with community members about treaty.

We held a regional Metropolitan gathering at the Aborigines Advancement League. Our community had the opportunity to hear about progress with Treaty negotiations. Representatives from the Treaty Authority and the Self Determination Fund also attended.

The gathering with the ACCO sector was a significant step toward further consolidating our collective power. It was an amazing opportunity for the Assembly and our members to engage and collaborate more strongly with community organisations on our shared priorities. There was strong representation from ACCOs across the state and I look forward to ongoing regular yarns. These forums provide the opportunity for unity and solidarity across sectors in pursuit of better outcomes for our peoples.

In August assembly members met with global First Peoples allies, Karen Diver (US) and Kelvin Davis, (Aotearoa), and Indigenous sovereignty expert, Aunty Mary Graham (Kombumerri and Wakka Wakka knowledge holder).

The official launch of the Treaty Authority was a meaningful and empowering next step on the path to Treaty.

All the mechanisms are now in place for formal treaty negotiations to commence. The Assembly also submitted formal notification to the authority to declare that We Are Ready!

However, Uncle Kutcha Edwards’ (Our Song Man) beautiful rendition of “Singing Up Country” pulled on our heartstrings and perfectly embodied the significance of this moment.

Community reports from our various gatherings are available here.
Some highlights include:
3 July – Metropolitan Regional Treaty Forum at the AAL
7 July – NAIDOC March
26 Aug – Forum with the Aboriginal Community Control Sector
27 Aug – Treaty and Truth Parliamentary Lunch
Yurpa Committee
Tracey and I have been very busy with Yurpa Committee business. The committee established a Cultural Elements Working Group to ensure the cultural protocols and practices are at the forefront in our treaty journey.

Our workshop with Aunty Mary Graham on relational sovereignty was a special highlight. Members had the privilege to yarn with Aunty Mary and get critical reflections about the cultural governance processes we have setup through the Yurpa committee. We look forward to having more conversations with esteemed Aboriginal knowledge holders, like Aunty Mary Graham.

Council

I attended and actively contributed to all Council meetings held in July and August. The Council met with Minister for Treaty and First Peoples, Natalie Hutchins at Parliament.

Insights

Consolidating our collective power has been a priority over the last two months. This also involved engaging with our communities to strengthen unity and solidarity. Mobilising Aboriginal community members and political lobbying with political parties, lobby groups, allies, and other stakeholders will be critical as we head towards negotiations.

Looking ahead

I’m excited for our next Chamber coming up in Swan Hill in September. I look forward to finally meeting with our Elders Standing Group. At chamber we will also be endorsing important decisions about our negotiations.
In the next quarter we are planning to hold another Next Metropolitan Regional Treaty Forum (most likely in the East). We will keep community updated about time and place.

In the coming months we need your support as we get closer to commencing negotiations. I urge you to come to our events to inform yourself, give honest critical feedback, and activate your treaty rights. Keep the Fire Burning, in your heart and minds…

In the last couple of months, we have been yarning about Treaty with our community, contributing to Yoorrook’s truth telling process, holding member workshops to strengthen our cultural governance, and sharing knowledge with international Indigenous delegations.  

In April we held our first Statewide gathering in Geelong on Waddawurrung Country. This was an important step to bring Traditional Owner groups, and our community members together from across the state.  

I participated in an Indigenous Data Sovereignty workshop with the Treaty Authority to discuss how we ensure Indigenous data and knowledges are protected, managed, and controlled by Indigenous peoples.  

Assembly members from the Metropolitan region attended a Community yarning session at Dardee Munwurro to update the local community about proposed Treaty priorities. 

The Assembly Co-chairs participated in Yoorrook hearings on land injustice and social injustice with many members attending the land injustice session. 

The second Ngarra Jarra Noun healing ceremony was held at Vic Park. This year the gathering focused on recognising the leadership and struggle of the Rumbalara, and Fitzroy Stars football and netball clubs. 

In May I organised a cultural workshop at Bunjilaka museum for the Yurpa Committee members. At the workshop we discussed our language groups, tribes, clans, and connections. We also agreed on principles for cultural governance to be embedded across the Assembly. 

A delegation of Indigenous peoples from Taiwan visited the Assembly in May to find out more about our Treaty landscape in Victoria.  

As part of Reconciliation week, I participated in talks at the Australian criminology School and the University of Melbourne, and attended the Victorian Aboriginal Remembrance Day at the shrine to pay respect to Indigenous peoples’ contribution. 

In June the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria will co-host the AIATSIS Summit. This was a great opportunity for us to share the Treaty journey in Victoria with First Peoples and Nations from across the country. The Assembly made a huge contribution to the conference program and cultural activities including dancers, weavers, artists and musicians were demonstrated by Traditional Owners of Country from every Assembly region.  

In addition, our Youth Voice Convenors, Alice Pepper and Jordan Edwards co-designed a deadly Youth Forum as part of the Summit.  

Apart from these activities I’ve chaired our Yurpa Committee meetings alongside Tracey Evans. I’ve attended and contributed to Treaty Committee meetings (to determine our Treaty priorities and negotiation strategies), joined Treaty workstreams focused on Economic Empowerment and a Future Assembly. As a Council member I attended council meetings including regional meetings held in Horsham and Shepparton. 

Looking forward June Chamber will be on Gunditjmara Country up in Portland. We will be holding a number of regional forums, so keep an eye out for these. We are close to formally starting Treaty negotiations with the State. Time for us to mobilise our families, clans, communities, and nations. 

I am a Gunai, Yorta Yota, Gunditmara, and Wurundjeri Woi wurrung man and connected to many families and communities across Victoria. In July 2023 I was elected to the First Peoples’ Assembly representing the Metropolitan region. Thanks to all of our community who voted, your vote counts.

Community engagement

I’ve yarned with our Aboriginal community in Melbourne and across Victoria about the path to Treaty and Treaties. In the last few months, I’ve attended community yarning sessions at Dardi Munwurro’s Aunty Alma Gathering Place, Bubup Wilam, and the Aborigines Advancement League. I’ve had multiple yarns with our people about Treaty at a range of different community events. These gatherings are essential for us to come together and listen to our community, and consider our Treaty positions and priorities.

Council Member and Yurpa Co-convenor

As a council member I have responsibility for convening the Yurpa Committee which focuses on the cultural governance of the Assembly. The committee, which all members can attend, ensures our governance principles and cultural values are at the heart of Assembly decision-making processes.

Another objective of the Yurpa Committee is to broaden representation on the Assembly. We recently convened and completed review of the Additional Pathways to Reserved Seat process to strengthen our inclusivity and representation. This effort was about refining how we approach the reserved seat process, ensuring it reflects our communities. It’s about creating spaces where every voice is heard and valued.

FPAV Chambers, Council, and Committee meetings

I’ve attended our formal chamber meetings on Wurundjeri Country (Parliament July 23’), Djaara Country (Bendigo Sept 23’), and Bunerong/Boon Wurrung Country (Phillip Island Nov 23’). We recently visited Wotjobaluk Country (Horsham February 24’), for our council meeting. Thanks to Barengi Gadjin for hosting us and taking us on a special visit to Ebenezer Mission. These experiences underscore the importance of connecting with our history, our land, and each other.

As part of my role, I’ve regularly attended our Treaty Committee and been an active contributor to our discussions and decisions. These are important discussions shaping our negotiation positions and identifying priorities in our Statewide Treaty. I am also a member of the Yoorrook Committee, which prepares and develops Assembly submissions to the Yoorrook Justice Commission. I believe truth-telling is a fundamental and crucial component for authentic agreement making. I’ve personally contributed to the Assembly Land Justice submission and upcoming Health, Housing, and Education submission.

Looking forward

I encourage all of our people, families, Traditional Owner Groups, organisations, sports clubs, and community groups to attend our Statewide Treaty Gathering in April. This will be a pivotal moment for us to unite, strategise, and amplify our voices. It’s an opportunity for every one of us to contribute to shaping the path towards a Treaty that truly reflects our aspirations and rights.

The Assembly will co-convene the AIATSIS Summit in Melbourne from June 3-7, 2024. The summit is an opportunity for us to share our collective progress towards treaties, exchange knowledge, celebrate our cultures, and build stronger frameworks for governance and self-determination. This summit will be a gathering of minds, spirits, and hearts, all united in the cause of advancing our peoples’ rights and wellbeing.

In the next step of this journey, we need our communities and our people to get behind us and support a collective movement. The opportunities ahead of us are immense. Through unity, connection, and unwavering commitment, we can shape a future that acknowledges our shared history (including truth telling), celebrates our present, and secures our sovereignty for generations to come. Let’s embrace these opportunities together, with open hearts and minds, ready to blaze the trail together.