Last week, Treaty negotiations between the Assembly and the Victorian Government officially got underway!
After years of yarning with Community all across the state, listening to our mobs, capturing their Treaty aspirations — we are beyond proud to be bringing our Community’s voices and aspirations to the Treaty table.
This is the next step in a shared journey that has been centuries in the making. What our Elders fought for and dreamed of, will be a reality for our children.
To welcome this historic milestone, Assembly Members hosted a Ceremony rich in our cultures and lore.
The day began with Elders, dancers, knowledge holders and mob from across Victoria gathering with Assembly Members on Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Country for a Welcome to Country and Tanderrum.
Everyone who approached the ceremonial space passed through the ‘Path to Treaty Walk’, a five-minute passage through Country marked with banners featuring significant historical figures and milestones in the long struggle for First Peoples’ rights.
A Kinship and Trade Ceremony was held, with groups from each region bringing items for ceremonial trade and gifting songs to the space. This sacred ceremony affirmed the restoration and healing of broken kinship and trade links across our mobs.
Five fires were lit – Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung lighting the first before inviting representatives from each region across Victoria invited to approach and light their own from it.
With those sacred rites complete, community allies were invited into the active ceremonial space to observe further activities and dances.
After an incredible morning of culture, the event moved into its third phase. With the voice of songman Uncle Kutcha Edwards’ ringing out across the park, a message stick was sent from the ceremony site to the Premier of Victoria, Jacinta Allan, who was invited to join the space with the other MPs with respect, right intentions and the willingness to negotiate Treaty.
Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung Elder and Assembly Member, Uncle Andrew Gardiner shared a second Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony.
This was followed by speeches from Treaty Authority Members, Assembly Members and the Premier and Minister – declaring their readiness and willingness to enter Treaty negotiations with respect and in good faith.
You can read the Assembly Co-chairs Ngarra Murray’s speech and Reuben Berg’s speech.
Cultural gifts were exchanged, including a Woomera made by Gunditjmara artist Timmy Church. The Woomera was covered in artworks representing all our mobs across Victoria. Spears were sent back to communities in different regions, and the Woomera was presented to the Victorian Government for safe keeping.
You can watch a video below of Timmy Church sharing about the significance and design of the Woomera.
As the formalities came to a close, attendees were invited to share lunch and enjoy some deadly music by Amos Roach.
Photo credit: Leroy Miller
