5—7 April 2024 • GMHBA Stadium Geelong
STATEWIDE TREATY GATHERING
wadawurrung Country
Day 1: Friday 5 April
9.15am
Smoking Ceremony
GATE 14
9.45am
Welcome
Oval
10am
A quick hello from the elected Assembly Members
Oval
10.15am
Coming together for a celebration of Culture
Oval
1.20pm
LUNCH & ACTIVITIES
Regional yarning, music, socialising, cultural activities and info stalls.
The Social Club
3.30pm
Grasping the opportunities of Treaty – A historical perspective
A keynote speech by Aunty Dr Jill Gallagher, AO, proud Gunditjmara woman, former Treaty Advancement Commissioner, and Chief Executive of the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation.
ROOM A
4.30pm
The journey ahead: Overview from Assembly Co-chairs
An overview from Assembly Co-Chairs Rueben Berg and Ngarra Murray about what to expect to this historic gathering, the role of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria and where we are currently on the long journey to Treaty.
ROOM A
6pm
DINNER
ENTERTAINMENT & MUSIC
Kee’ahn & Scott Darlow
7.30pm DOORS CLOSE
The Concourse
Day 2: Saturday 6 April
9.30am
Everyone welcome, everyone respected: the Assembly’s cultural protocols
Assembly Members will reflect on yesterday’s day of culture and share why our cultural protocols have been so important to the Assembly’s ways of working.
ROOM A
10.15am
Sovereignty never ceded: Guest speaker Tim Goodwin
A discussion with Yuin man Tim Goodwin, a barrister specialising in constitutional and human rights law, about how Treaty can confirm and strengthen our sovereignty.
ROOM A
11am
Morning Tea
The Social Club
ROOM A
11.30am
A guided tour of the Treaty Negotiation Framework
Presented by Assembly Co-Chair, Rueben Berg, this guided tour will provide a clear and concise overview of the Treaty Negotiation Framework, which provides the ground rules for Treaty-making.
12.15pm
Mob organising mob – Traditional Owner Treaties
An interactive presentation explaining the incentives and possibilities of coming together to form Traditional Owner negotiation delegations.
ROOM B
11.30am
Giving voice to our young mob
This is the Treaty for the Generations. The Assembly’s Youth Voice empowers young mob to get involved in the Treaty process, helps to connect young people to Country, community and culture and build young people’s strength and leadership.
Youth Voice Co-Convener Jordy Edwards hosts an interactive discussion about why young people need to be involved in Treaty every step of the way.
ROOM C
11.30am
Embracing the wisdom of our Elders: About the Elders’ Voice
The story of the Assembly’s Elders’ Voice and the role it will play in guiding and providing cultural wisdom on the journey to Treaty.
12.15pm
Elders yarn
This session is for Elders only. All who consider themselves Elders are welcome.
Guided by the Elders’ Voice Co-Chairs, Aunty Esme Bamblett and Uncle Rodney Carter we will yarn about how Treaty might assist Elders and what role Elders’ Voice will play in ensuring Treaty represents our Ancestors’ values and practices.
1pm
Lunch
The Social Club
ROOM A
2.15pm
Harnessing the expertise of the Victorian Aboriginal community controlled sector
This exciting panel of ACCO leaders will showcase the role of ACCOs from across the state and hear about their aspirations for the Treaty process at the local, regional, and statewide level.
ROOM B
2.15pm
Supporting mob to get Treaty ready
In conversation with the Self-Determination Fund Trustees. Hear about how this new, First Peoples controlled fund will help Traditional Owners prepare for and participate in Treaty negotiations.
3pm
Additional Pathway to a Reserved Seat on the Assembly
A facilitated workshop to discuss the Assembly’s Additional Reserved Seat Pathway.
ROOM C
2.15pm
Open Community dialogue: Strengthening the Assembly’s cultural governance and representation
Members of the Assembly’s Yurpa Committee will explore with you how we can strengthen the Assembly’s cultural governance practices and philosophy in this unique community conversation.
3.45pm
Afternoon Tea
The Social Club
ROOM A
4.15pm
Experiences of Treaty from around the world
Panel discussion.
ROOM C
4.15pm
Advancing Traditional Owner Treaties
Victorian Traditional Owners only.
An important panel discussion with Victorian Traditional Owner leaders to explore common aspirations, ideas and share learnings in Traditional Owner Treaties.
6pm
DINNER
EVENING ENTERTAINMENT & MUSIC
Kiah & Marlon
7.30pm DOORS CLOSE
The Social Club
Day 3: Sunday 7 April
9.30am
Healing though Truth and Treaty: In conversation with the Yoorrook Justice Commissioner
An in-depth conversation with Yoorrook Truth-telling Commissioner, Travis Lovett, about the stories, reflections, insights and solutions arising from the Yoorrook hearings.
ROOM A
10.15am
Towards Statewide Treaty: Assembly plans, priorities and next steps
Assembly Co-Chairs Ngarra Murray and Rueben Berg will detail the Assembly’s emerging priorities for statewide Treaty with negotiations fast approaching.
ROOM A
11am
Morning Tea
The Social Club
ROOM A
11.30am
Meet the Treaty Umpires: In conversation with the Treaty Authority members
A conversation with the five Members of the Treaty Authority about their role and how they see things unfolding.
The Treaty Authority is an integral part of the Treaty process and will act as the ‘independent umpire’ between Traditional Owners and the State when negotiating treaties.
ROOM C
11.30am
Open Community dialogue: Q&A with the Assembly Members
Assembly Members from across Victoria will be
available at this open community session to answer questions, discuss issues and hear your ideas and aspirations for the Assembly and the work toward Treaty.
12.15pm
Regional yarning break outs
All Members in regional break outs to field questions from Community.
LOOK OUT FOR SIGNS
1pm
Lunch
The Social Club
2.15pm
Strength in unity, power in diversity: Guest speaker Tony McAvoy SC
Australia’s first Indigenous Senior Counsel, Tony McAvoy SC is a Wirdi man who is a barrister, Co-Chair of the Indigenous Legal Issues Committee of the Law Council of Australia, and assisted the Royal Commission into Youth Detention in the Northern Territory during 2016-2017.
Most recently he was the Acting Northern Territory Treaty Commissioner from 2021-2022 and is currently Senior Counsel with the Yoorrook Justice Commission.
ROOM A
3pm
Closing session with the Assembly Members
ROOM A
3.45pm
END OF GATHERING
Mob only event
We hope you can join us!
With statewide Treaty negotiations set to begin later this year, it’s a great time to learn more and have your say.