Harnessing local knowledge for practical solutions – First Peoples meet in Swan Hill ahead of Treaty negotiations
With Treaty negotiations due to officially commence by the end of the year, the elected Members of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria are meeting this week in Swan Hill on Wamba Wemba Country to decide what priorities to take into the first round of talks with the Victorian Government.
Assembly Co-chair, Wamba Wamba, Yorta Yorta, Dja Dja Wurrung and Dhudhuroa woman Ngarra Murray, said the Members have spent years gathering amazing ideas from communities in every corner of the state, but now it was time to give the Treaty agenda a clear shape.
“We know local knowledge is so important and we want Treaty to deliver Aboriginal communities the ability to come up with the practical solutions at a local level. So we’re looking at what reforms the first Treaty agreement we sign can include to start that process,”
Ngarra Murray
The Assembly Members are hoping to leave the meeting having agreed on the foundations of a ‘negotiating brief’ they can each share with their communities for further feedback before the negotiations commence.
“Communities will very much be at the heart of Treaty in Victoria. Whether it’s caring for Country and keeping culture strong, or making sure local knowledge can help improve the ways health and education services are delivered, our aim with Treaty is to make sure our communities can thrive,”
Ngarra Murray
It’s the first time a full Assembly meeting has been held on Wamba Wemba Country and follows the creation of a Wamba Wemba seat on the Assembly earlier this year.
The Wamba Wemba representative, Lowana Moore, said hosting the Assembly in Swan Hill was a special moment for her people and was an important reminder for all mobs in Victoria to make sure they make the most of the Treaty process and get involved.
“We have a unique connection to and understanding of these lands. There’s much wisdom, and history and knowledge to be shared. It’s going to be good for our communities, and I also think Treaty is going to help Victoria on the whole. The State needs to come to terms with the truth about what was done to Aboriginal people if we want everyone to be able to move forward together. It’s about having the conversations with respect and in good faith,”
Lowana Moore
Further information can be found online at: https://www.firstpeoplesvic.org/treaty-explainer/
