My name is Nicole Atkinson, and I am a Member for the North East Region on the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria.
I am a Traditional Owner of North East Victoria, and I have strong ties to the South West of Victoria. I was born and raised in Shepparton, and have lived and worked within the North East Aboriginal Community my whole life.
I work locally in Aboriginal education, and I represent the Community on a number of boards and committees. I have a strong passion for Education and Social Justice.
The first iteration of the First Peoples’ Assembly has laid a strong foundation for our Communities to negotiate Treaty.
Through Treaty the possibilities for our Community are endless, from self-determination over our affairs, to the long overdue recognition and reparations that we deserve after more than 200 years of colonisation.
Our Community deserves a representative that knows them. As someone born and raised in the North East Aboriginal Community, I know both our struggles and our triumphs.
I will represent our Community on the First Peoples’ Assembly and advocate for a Treaty that empowers all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across the North East.
Member Updates
March 2024 — Meeting of Assembly at Lakes Entrance
Nicole Atkinson: Bangerang and Gunditjmara
North East Member, March Chamber Meeting:
Over the past few months I have been engaging with Traditional Owner Groups, community members, Aboriginal organisations and other key stakeholders on Treaty and the process of the Statewide Treaty. I have also engaged and given updates on the Yoorrook Commission and their reports and the Self Determination Funds.
Most of these engagements have been conducted in the spaces I occupy and general one on one conversations.
I will continue to update the North East members with the developments of the Statewide Treaty and the First Peoples Assembly of Victoria.
