Lisa Briggs

I am a Gunditjmara woman and First Peoples Assembly of Victoria Metropolitan Member. I have been in this role for three months and am a member of the following committees;

•  Treaty Committee
•  Yurpa Committee

Apart from being a FPAV metropolitan member, I am the Executive Director of Ngaweeyan Maar-oo (Gunditjmara dialect meaning ‘Voice of the People’) as the recognised partner with the Victorian government in delivering the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, priority reforms and socioeconomic targets.

The National Agreement on Closing the Gap has a strong alignment and relationship with FPAV and Treaty outcomes. The Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations’ (ACCOs) practical outcomes codesigned by FPAV and the ACCO Sector reflects as such.

Work priorities over the last quarter has seen;

• Metro regional forum – Ringwood. This was my first community engagement in my role as metropolitan member, which was well attended particularly by our Elders in receiving updates and progress on current activities. The presentation was well received, and I look forward to speaking with more community members in the first quarter of the new year. For more information on Treaty see ‘A path to Treaty’
• Victorian Local Governments. There are seventy-nine (79) Local Governments across Victoria, and I am currently working with them in creating a progress baseline against the National Agreement for Closing the Gap. To date I have engaged with twelve (12). This baseline will assist in strengthening relationships, investment and growth that will be beneficial to Local Governments, Traditional Owners and ACCOs. The response from Local Government CEO’s and Executive Directors has been invigorating and an opportunity to discuss how Treaty and Closing the Gap relate to each other both in policy development and practice. I look forward to sharing more about my progress with the Local government agencies.
• FPAV Business. The last quarter would see a lot of activity particularly leading up to the Treaty Negotiation process. The joint launch with the Victorian Premier and FPAV Co-Chairs of Treaty Negotiation provided a powerful cultural display of our clan groups across Victoria and the commitment and leadership by the Allen government in delivering a Statewide Treaty. Negotiations have started with the release of a Joint release – Negotiations for first statewide treaty underway. With Treaty negotiations underway has seen an increase in internal business participation particularly with Treaty and Yurpa Committees which assist in guiding and shaping direction.

Insights and looking ahead

Key considerations for influencing our Treaty journey are surrounded by the timing and building relationships. There are opportunities to educate and influence partners by assisting them in the developing their strategic and implementation that shapes our shared future. This is what the next quarters priorities look like from my point of view. Engaging with our own mob, allies and partners.

Future engagements

Over the next 3 months, I will be holding community forums that will provide opportunity to come and speak with myself and some other representatives about our pathway to Treaty. The statewide ACCO forum will be an opportunity to provide update on Treaty negotiations and outcomes.

Engagement with Social Justice Commissioner Katie Kiss – Informing The Agenda Consultations | Australian Human Rights Commission where the Commissioner will be seeking feedback and direction from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, Traditional Owners Groups and ACCOs. Great opportunity to share experiencing of Victoria’s Treaty Pathway, United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Peace Accord and other items. The Commissioner will be touring Victoria between the 3rd – 6th February 2025.

I encourage all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in Victoria to get on board and stay informed. The Treaty Pathway is about all of us. For more information click TREATY.

Since commencing with the First Peoples Assembly Victoria (FPAV) in late August I have been fortunate to be part of a number of engagements and consultations and would like to acknowledge FPAV team for their support and also outgoing metropolitan representative Shane Charles for his commitment to Treaty.  

Inaugural Chamber Sitting (September – Swan Hill) 

I want to acknowledge fellow chamber members Lowana Moore and Jason Kelly for hosting the Chamber meeting in Swan Hill.  This provided a great platform for celebration on the success of the Wemba Wamba peoples in achieving their RAP and delivery of my inaugural speech.  It also set the scene for Chamber deliberations. 

Key highlights were: 

• Presentation from Elders Council  

• Feedback from the local Aboriginal community on how Treaty can support their growth and respond to existing priorities such as Youth. 

Treaty 

As we draw closer to commencing negotiations with the Victorian government, it is great to see the collective leadership and mobilisation of the Aboriginal community members, ACCOs and TO’s in strengthening our journey.  The Elders presence at the Eastern Metropolitan forum was sensational in providing their lived experienced, knowledge and support. 

More engagements across metropolitan areas are being scheduled and it is through these forums that our people can actively participate and engage in the Treaty conversations. 

Committee/s: 

• Self-determination Fund Committee member 

• Yurpa Committee member 

• Treaty negotiations committee member 

Engagements 

August 

• Statewide Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations Forum 
• Treaty and Truth Parliamentary Lunch 

September  

• Statewide Traditional Owners Forum 
• FPAV workstreams 

October  

• FPAV workstreams 
• Eastern Metropolitan Treaty Forum – Ringwood 

November  

• 2^nd Statewide Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations Forums 
• Chamber – Shepparton 
• Official opening of Treaty Negotiations 

Future events 

• Western metropolitan Forum (tbc) 
• Southern metropolitan Forum (tbc) 

Yana marrang in marrang – “Walk Hand in Hand”