Hey you mob, it’s Dylan here.

I’ve been out yarning with all sorts of people; our mob, local farmers, folks who’ve never really had much to do with Aboriginal affairs or Treaty. And honestly, it’s been eye-opening!

There’s curiosity, but also some fear and a lot of that’s coming from what people hear in the media. So I’ve been keeping it simple: Treaty isn’t about taking land. It’s about recognition, respect, and returning decision-making power back to our people. That’s it. But our own mob have questions too—and fair enough.

Some are worried about a system being built without proper engagement. What does statewide Treaty mean for Traditional Owners? How do we know it won’t repeat the same mistakes we’ve seen with native title?

People want something strong, something that’ll last, no matter who’s in government. They want to see action, not just talk. And they want to know what’s being prioritised first.

That’s why I’ve been telling everyone: get on the Treaty Roll. Enrol. Vote. Stay informed. Because if we’re not in it, we can’t shape it.

And we’re making sure the info’s out there in ways that work for people. Whether that’s a yarn on the phone, something printed, or online. This is our chance to make Treaty real. Let’s keep moving forward together.

Report on BGLC AGM – November 30, 2024

At the Barengi Gadjin Land Council (BGLC) Annual General Meeting on November 30, 2024, I provided an update on treaty negotiations and community engagement. Key points included:

• Recognition and Celebration: Congratulated the BGLC dancers for their participation in ceremony and the opening of treaty negotiations.
• Community Engagement: Encouraged more people to sign up and be involved in Assembly gatherings, whether living on Country in the northwest or off Country in other regions.
• Treaty Readiness: Discussed the Assembly’s approach to treaty preparedness and addressed community questions on its impact.
• Negotiation Concerns: Acknowledged the interest and concerns around treaty negotiations, particularly in relation to racism and local developments.

Community Concerns on RSA and Treaty

• Community Tensions: Recognised the unease among local non-Indigenous communities, particularly in relation to land agreements and governance.
• Cultural Safety and Protection: Discussions centred around ensuring BGLC members and Aboriginal community members feel culturally safe and supported amid public and political tensions.
• Assembly’s Role: Emphasised the importance of the Treaty process in addressing systemic racism and self-determination for Aboriginal communities in the region.

Upcoming BGLC Full Group Meeting – February 14, 2025

• I will be providing a formal treaty update at the next BGLC full group meeting on February 14, 2025.
• Discussions will likely include progress on negotiations, community engagement efforts, and addressing concerns about treaty impacts.

Leadership Transition – Stepping Down from BGLC Board

As of the AGM, I have stepped down from the Barengi Gadjin Land Council Board of Directors and my role as Chairperson to focus on:

1. My family and personal commitments.
2. My role as Treaty Representative and the broader treaty process.

While I am no longer a Board Member, I remain committed to working with the new BGLC Chairperson and Board to:

• Provide ongoing treaty updates in a structured and accessible format.
• Support effective communication between BGLC and the broader Aboriginal community regarding treaty developments.
• Continue to advocate for cultural safety and strong community representation in the process.

Next Steps

• Finalising a structured format for treaty updates in collaboration with the BGLC Board and new Chairperson.
• Continuing community outreach and engagement on treaty issues.
• Preparing for the BGLC Full Group Meeting and ensuring key updates are delivered.

Member update not submitted.

Member update not submitted.

Member update not submitted.

Discussion Points

• Path to Treaty Presentation Highlights:
  • BGLC Elders’ involvement in Elders Voice Initiative.
  • Youth Voice encourages young people’s involvement and localised activities.
  • Establishment of external bodies for self-determination funds, Treaty Authority, and Treaty Negotiation Framework.
  • BGLC’s role in both Statewide Treaty and Traditional Owner Treaties.
  • Formation of a BGLC Treaty delegation to strengthen approach; possibility of multiple groups forming a delegation.

Concerns Raised

• Mitigation of Internal Group Offshoots:
  • Assembly’s discussions on mitigating internal group splintering affecting TO groups.
• TO Treaties Commencement:
  • Concerns about the start of TO Treaties by end of 2023 and Treaty Authority’s readiness.
• Aboriginal Lore, Law, and Cultural Authority:
  • Role and impact in Treaty negotiations; concerns about cultural Lore being overlooked.
• Delegation Model:
  • Possibility for a family to register as a delegate and how it fits with the self-determination lens.
• Negotiation Representation:
  • Ensuring the right people at the negotiation table and BGLC not being the first to negotiate.
• Process for Established Groups:
  • Need for clarity on established groups’ role in the Treaty process.
• Assembly’s Role and Historical Issues:
  • Concerns about the Assembly’s involvement in non-intended business and the impact of historical issues on negotiations.
• State Over Individual TO Treaties Hierarchy:
  • There are significant concerns regarding how the overarching Statewide Treaty framework might impact or potentially override individual Traditional Owner (TO) Treaties. The apprehension lies in the State’s authority, possibly trumping the specific agreements and stipulations laid out in individual TO Treaties, thereby undermining their autonomy and the specific needs and rights they address.
  • Members raised questions about the mechanisms in place to ensure that individual TO Treaties retain their significance and are not merely subsumed under the broader Statewide Treaty agreements. This concern extends to how these individual treaties can coexist with the Statewide Treaty in a manner that respects and upholds the sovereignty and self-determination of each TO group.
  • The possibility that the Statewide Treaty could overshadow or limit the scope of individual TO Treaties prompts a need for clear legal and procedural frameworks that safeguard the rights, agreements, and cultural significance embedded in these individual treaties.
  • Action for the Chair & Reserved seat holder to engage with the Assembly and relevant authorities to clarify the terms under which individual TO Treaties operate within the context of the Statewide Treaty. This might include establishing a clear register or mechanism that recognises and enforces the unique provisions of individual TO Treaties alongside the Statewide framework.
  • This matter is crucial for ensuring that the sovereignty and self-determination goals of TO groups are not compromised in the broader treaty negotiation process.

17 Feb 2024 FGM summary:

The WJJWJ Full Group Meeting on 17 February 2024 emphasised critical areas for Treaty negotiations. Key discussions focused on empowering Traditional Owners (TOs) with control over land and water management, acknowledging the inseparable link between land management and water resources.

“Land cannot be managed without water and the heavy privatisation of water poses problems.”

The need for reform in cultural burning practices was highlighted, advocating for a system where TOs direct burn schedules, rather than navigating bureaucratic processes.

Intellectual property rights were another focal point, with concerns over non-TO entities appropriating TO cultural heritage.

“The intellectual property rights of TOs or cultural IP is often appropriated by non-TOs claiming them because they publish the stories.”

Additionally, autonomy in health and education was discussed, with a call for these sectors to be managed according to TO cultural practices, ensuring programs align with ancestral health and education concepts.