
Treaty will be the most significant step towards self-determination ever taken in Victoria. First Peoples have long called for Treaty but for many in the wider community the idea of Treaty may still be a cause for confusion. Quite simply, a treaty is an agreement between parties.
As the level of government closest to grassroots community, councils will have a role to play in Treaty. It is important to note that we do not yet know what Treaty will look like. The development of a Treaty framework by the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria is bla(c)k business. The most important thing your council can do now is to stay up to date on the Victorian Treaty process and work to demystify the Treaty process in your local community.
In 2019, Reconciliation Victoria supported Hume City Council, Knox City Council, City of Darebin, Banyule City Council and Moreland City Council to hold a series of Local Treaty Conversations. Featuring guest speakers from local Traditional Owners, the Victorian Treaty Advancement Commission and other Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, the Conversations drew large audiences from the wider community who were keen to know more about Treaty and find out how to support the process as allies. The Conversations were a success in building local community support for the Treaty process.
Treaty Toolkits | Reconciliation Victoria
Resources | First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria
Treaty | Aboriginal Victoria
What is a Treaty? | NITV
Treaty in Victoria | ANTaR
Advancing the Treaty Process with Aboriginal Victorians Act 2018 | Parliament of Victoria