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Many countries around the world have treaties between its government and Indigenous people. Treaties are binding agreements between groups, and these agreements often involve land and economic deals, new policies, efforts to resolve historical issues, self-determination and ways to work together in the future.
In Victoria, the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria began negotiations with the Victorian government last year on Treaty, and legislation allowing this agreement has now passed Parliament.
A number of other Australian states and territories have also started the process of developing a Treaty with their First Peoples.
South Australia, New South Wales and the ACT are working to develop Treaties.
Queensland, Tasmania, Western Australia and the Northern Territory had begun this process too but since stopped it.
About Time spoke with First Peoples’ Assembly Metro member and Yorta Yorta man Barry Firebrace-Briggs about what Treaty will mean for Mob in prison.
After nearly 10 years of listening to Aboriginal communities across Victoria, the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria and the State Government have finished Treaty negotiations. Once the law passes, it will be the first Treaty in Australia between a government and First Peoples – a historic step toward truth, justice, and healing.
Treaty means more resources and power to create real, practical solutions for Mob and to make systems fairer for our people. For years, we’ve been listening to Mob inside prison about what they need. We know that we need better support when people leave prison, for things like housing, jobs, and healing. We know that the criminal justice system disproportionately harms our peoples, and that’s why we need more say in laws and policies.
We are proud that almost every Victorian Aboriginal person in prison enrolled to vote in the First People’s Assembly’s last election in 2022.
The voices of Mob inside matter and that’s why we’ve made sure First Peoples in prison can vote in our Treaty as well. If you’re in Victoria, keep an eye out of this! Voting in these elections helps to decide who will be doing the negotiating on behalf of First Peoples in Victoria.
Under the Treaty, a new political body called Gellung Warl will be created. In Gunaikurnai language, Gellung Warl means “tip of the spear.” It will be the permanent voice and decision-making body for Aboriginal people in Victoria.
Gellung Warl will:
This is a historic moment – and we hope other States and Territories follow suit!
Many countries around the world have treaties between its government and Indigenous people. Treaties are binding agreements between groups, and these agreements often involve land and economic deals, new policies, efforts to resolve historical issues, self-determination and ways to work together in the future.
In Victoria, the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria began negotiations with the Victorian government last year on Treaty, and legislation allowing this agreement has now passed Parliament.
A number of other Australian states and territories have also started the process of developing a Treaty with their First Peoples.
South Australia, New South Wales and the ACT are working to develop Treaties.
Queensland, Tasmania, Western Australia and the Northern Territory had begun this process too but since stopped it.
About Time spoke with First Peoples’ Assembly Metro member and Yorta Yorta man Barry Firebrace-Briggs about what Treaty will mean for Mob in prison.
After nearly 10 years of listening to Aboriginal communities across Victoria, the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria and the State Government have finished Treaty negotiations. Once the law passes, it will be the first Treaty in Australia between a government and First Peoples – a historic step toward truth, justice, and healing.
Treaty means more resources and power to create real, practical solutions for Mob and to make systems fairer for our people. For years, we’ve been listening to Mob inside prison about what they need. We know that we need better support when people leave prison, for things like housing, jobs, and healing. We know that the criminal justice system disproportionately harms our peoples, and that’s why we need more say in laws and policies.
We are proud that almost every Victorian Aboriginal person in prison enrolled to vote in the First People’s Assembly’s last election in 2022.
The voices of Mob inside matter and that’s why we’ve made sure First Peoples in prison can vote in our Treaty as well. If you’re in Victoria, keep an eye out of this! Voting in these elections helps to decide who will be doing the negotiating on behalf of First Peoples in Victoria.
Under the Treaty, a new political body called Gellung Warl will be created. In Gunaikurnai language, Gellung Warl means “tip of the spear.” It will be the permanent voice and decision-making body for Aboriginal people in Victoria.
Gellung Warl will:
This is a historic moment – and we hope other States and Territories follow suit!
If you want to get involved and have access to email, please contact:
engagement@firstpeoplesvic.org
The ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body can be contacted at:
If you have access to the internet, the New South Wales Treaty Commission can be contacted at:
The South Australian First Nations Voice to Parliament at:
firstnationsvoice.sa.gov.au/contact
The Tasmanian Aboriginal Advisory Group can be emailed at:
Including a piece about kids dancing and going walkabout and Chippa's interpretation of Country.
This interview was part of Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service’s Invasion Day webinar in January this year. The Q&A spoke to an incredible panel of First Nations people, each with their own unique experiences of the criminal legal system.
This is my interpretation of Country. The greens and browns take me back to the quiet and secluded areas I've worked on and stayed on whilst camping and living off Country.
A wide-ranging report commissioned by the federal government has called for “urgent and proactive” system-level reforms to improve the standard of health care provided to First Nations people in prison.
Help keep the momentum going. All donations will be vital in providing an essential resource for people in prison and their loved ones.
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Help us get About Time off the ground. All donations are tax deductible and will be vital in providing an essential resource for people in prison and their loved ones.
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