Member for the Metro Region

Lisa Briggs

Gunditjmara

Ngata, my name is Lisa Briggs and I am a proud Gunditjmara women from the western district of Victoria with connections to Framlingham and Lake Condah Mission. I live off country in Naarm Wurrundjeri country and pay my respects to their Elders, past and present.

I am honoured to represent our people as a Member of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria. I have over 40 years’ experience working in public policy for Aboriginal Affairs at the national, state, regional and local level within the Aboriginal Community Controlled Sector. I have dedicated my life to serving our people under the philosophy of Aboriginal Community Control defined as community initiated, community driven, community owned. That’s what self-determination is all about, along with a strong focus on culture, cultural integrity and transparency.

The next step is a journey where we commence negotiating with government on what we would like to see within a State-wide Treaty or Treaties. I would like to see a Treaty that invests in our culture, lands and
language as that is our foundation.

A Treaty that builds an economic foundation for our families. A Treaty that provides greater pathways for the next generation. Generational change is possible through a Treaty that our people and community design.

Yana marrang in marrang — “Walk Hand in Hand”

Watch Lisa’s inaugural speech below.