Walk with us! No images? Click here Hi friends,It’s been an exciting few months on the journey to Treaty here in Victoria! From our deadly Treaty Day Out in Shepparton and North East By-election, to the launch of the Yoorrook Justice Commission — we can’t wait to share some highlights with you and ways that you can keep getting involved and having your voice heard. Treaty is all about giving back the power to mob to make the decisions that affect our communities, our culture and our Country. Thanks for walking with us! Australia’s first ever truth-telling process is officially underway! Without Truth there can be no Treaty. That’s what we’ve heard loud and clear from Community and it’s why one of the first things we did on the journey towards Treaty was negotiate with the Government to establish Yoorrook. Our friends at the Yoorrook Justice Commission have begun traveling across Victoria, listening to the stories and first-hand experiences of Elders and Community since colonisaiton. Yoorrook will examine the racist legacies of invasion, highlight structural problems and help find the solutions. Treaty will then deliver the change. Truth-telling will be confronting and hard work, but this country needs to reckon with its past if we’re to create a better future together. Travis Morgan announced as successful candidate in North East By-election We’ve finished counting the votes, and Travis Morgan is confirmed as the successful candidate in the North East By-election! Travis Morgan is a descendent of the Yorta Yorta and Wemba Wemba peoples and grew up within the strong Aboriginal community of Echuca. He is prepared to ensure North East Community voices are included in the Treaty framework. "I’d like to sincerely thank the Aboriginal community in the North East for taking the time to vote for me and having the confidence in me to listen and give voice to the issues that they raise. I look forward to getting around and having a yarn with people." The Elders’ Voice The voices of our Elders must be heard and respected on the journey towards Treaty. That’s why we’re setting up a council of Elders, called the Elders’ Voice, whose wisdom will help guide the Treaty process. Our Interim Elders’ Voice Co-chairs, Aunty Charmaine Clarke and Uncle Andrew Gardiner are yarning with as many Elders as possible across Victoria to hear your views on how the Elders’ Voice is established. There are a number of ways to have your say! Elders can call our Elders’ Voice Hotline on 1800 TREATY (1800 873 289) and our team will arrange a one-on-one yarn over the phone with Aunty Charmaine or Uncle Andrew at a time that suits you. We are also holding Elders’ Voice Gatherings across Victoria in the coming months, find out more below. Report Back from Chamber 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. In the Media We need to pierce the collective and deliberate amnesia that white Australia wraps itself in, wrote Assembly co-chair Marcus Stewart in an opinion piece about Truth-telling published by The Age last month. Have your say Calling out to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Victoria – we want to hear from you! Decisions need to be made about the next steps on the journey to Treaty in Victoria, and we’re seeking community views through this new survey. For our deadly Community members who complete this survey by 1 May 2022, you’ll go into the draw to win one of ten $200 Clothing the Gaps vouchers! Walk with us! Treaty is about having the freedom and power to make the decisions that affect us and our community – and that starts now. If you haven’t already, make sure you’re enrolled with the Assembly to have your voice heard and help decide the next steps on the journey to Treaty. Thanks for being a part of our shared journey towards Treaty here in Victoria! Cheers, Amy Rust | Proud Kokatha woman | Head of Engagement & Communications Updates to our Privacy Policy The Assembly is strongly committed to protecting your privacy and we take the responsibility of handling your personal information very seriously. We recently updated our Privacy Policy and it applies going forward and to data we already hold. Your information will always be handled in accordance with our policy or as required by law. We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Victoria and pay our respect to them, their culture and their Elders past, present and future. © Copyright 2022 First Peoples’ Assembly Of Victoria |