Report-back from Chamber meeting: Self-Determination Fund ready for negotiations
Assembly Members met for Chamber on Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country in March. They were welcomed with a beautiful smoking ceremony by Aunty Di Kerr and a Wurundjeri calling by Chenile Chandler.
The focus of the Chamber meeting was the Self-Determination Fund, and Members agreed on the key principles that Community will be invited to give further feedback on, before a more detailed proposal is put to the Victorian Government.
The Self-Determination Fund will be a resource that our people will have control of, not government, which will help Traditional Owners negotiate on a level playing field. When negotiations are complete, the Fund can be used as a financial asset to build wealth for future generations.
We’re inviting feedback from Community on the Self-Determination Fund. Have a read through our short discussion paper and then leave your feedback online here.
Thanks for the warm welcome and encouragement for all our Members this morning Aunty Di. We’re making good progress on the shared journey towards Treaty here in Victoria. pic.twitter.com/C2VJeiUPCS
— Marcus Stewart (@marcusbstewart) March 25, 2022
The Self-Determination Fund will be an important tool to tackle the economic divide impacting communities across Victoria.
Assembly Co-Chair and proud Nira illim bulluk man of the Taungurung Nations, Marcus Stewart said:
“One group of people, Traditional Owners, were forced off their ancestral lands so that another group could reap the benefits and accumulate stolen wealth. When you fast forward a few hundred years, that disadvantage has been compounded. Fortunately, Treaty offers us a chance to tackle disadvantage by allowing our people to build economic freedom.”
Thank you to the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Traditional Owners for welcoming our Assembly Chamber to Country.
Thank you Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung for your beautiful Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony. The First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria members are in the chamber today at the MCG 🖤💛❤️ pic.twitter.com/LZBv0f652j
— Ngarra (@ngarra_murray) March 25, 2022
Coming up
The next Chamber meeting will be held in June.
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