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Welcome to the Federation of Victorian Traditional Owner Corporations

The Federation is the Victorian state-wide body that convenes and advocates for the rights and interests of Traditional Owners while progressing wider social, economic, environmental and cultural objectives.

About Us

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land we work on as the First Peoples of this Country.

Country

Healthy Country means healthy communities. Our work recognises Traditional Owners’ rights and responsibilities to care and make decisions for Country.

Traditional Owner groups have knowledge, rights and responsibilities, stemming from 65,000 years of experience on Country. The Federation works in the following areas to embed Traditional Owner voices in management of Country.

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Community

Community wellbeing means strong culture, people and place.

The Federation’s work recognises Traditional Owner groups as authoritative decision-makers with rights and power. Our advocacy, programs and services enable Traditional Owners to get on with the business of caring for Country, culture and community.

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Impact

The Federation’s advocacy shapes the landscape in which Victorian Traditional Owner corporations do their important work.

We have put cultural fire and cultural water on the agenda for government, sought greater protections for Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property, fought for a fair place in the expanding native foods and botanicals industry, championed treaty and self-determination, supported a drastic reconsideration of how our cultural heritage is approached at both state and national levels, and worked to have economic development considered as more than just small business grants.

 

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About

The Federation is the Victorian state-wide body that convenes and advocates for the rights and interests of Traditional Owner groups while progressing wider social, economic, environmental and cultural objectives.

We support the progress of agreement-making and participation in decision-making to enhance the authority of Traditional Owner Corporations on behalf of their communities.

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Treaty negotiations open on Thursday 21 November 2024.

Its a history-making moment that can restore respect between Aboriginal people and the state of Victoria.

Well be there alongside First Peoples Assembly of Victoria.

Treaty negotiations open on Thursday 21 November 2024.

It's a history-making moment that can restore respect between Aboriginal people and the state of Victoria.

We'll be there alongside First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria.
... See MoreSee Less

New research into the Black Summer bushfires recommends Aboriginal cultural fire knowledge to reduce the severity of bushfires’ impact on biodiversity.

A new paper, published today in Nature, found the unprecedented severity of plant and animal biodiversity losses in the Black Summer bushfires depended largely on past fire history – greater loss occurred in areas subject to frequent, recent, and extensively burnt areas.

Aboriginal cultural fire practices are typically smaller and cooler than the prescribed burns conducted by governments to mitigate fire risks – and are increasingly becoming understood by land managers as an effective, holistic tool to heal and manage Country.

The Federation had the pleasure of facilitating development of the Traditional Owner Cultural Fire Strategy – a Victorian Traditional Owner plan to reintroducing cultural fire to the landscape, proposing achievable actions and clarifying the role of governments and other partners in a Traditional Owner-led approach to land and water management.

Traditional Owner groups have known for tens of thousands of years what Country needs, and are generous in sharing their expertise and experience today. 

LEARN MORE | fvtoc.com.au/sections/fire/

READ THE ARTICLE | bit.ly/40LEwgb

New research into the Black Summer bushfires recommends Aboriginal cultural fire knowledge to reduce the severity of bushfires’ impact on biodiversity.

A new paper, published today in Nature, found the unprecedented severity of plant and animal biodiversity losses in the Black Summer bushfires depended largely on past fire history – greater loss occurred in areas subject to frequent, recent, and extensively burnt areas.

Aboriginal cultural fire practices are typically smaller and cooler than the prescribed burns conducted by governments to mitigate fire risks – and are increasingly becoming understood by land managers as an effective, holistic tool to heal and manage Country.

The Federation had the pleasure of facilitating development of the Traditional Owner Cultural Fire Strategy – a Victorian Traditional Owner plan to reintroducing cultural fire to the landscape, proposing achievable actions and clarifying the role of governments and other partners in a Traditional Owner-led approach to land and water management.

Traditional Owner groups have known for tens of thousands of years what Country needs, and are generous in sharing their expertise and experience today.

LEARN MORE | fvtoc.com.au/sections/fire/

READ THE ARTICLE | bit.ly/40LEwgb
... See MoreSee Less

Finding out how the Victorian Government consulted with Traditional Owner groups over its decision to continue dingo killing is an important step towards our ultimate goal: restoring Traditional Owner group to their rightful place as decision-makers for culturally significant species.

Congratulations to our friends at Defend the Wild for their work with the Animal Justice Party to see this documents motion pass.

Finding out how the Victorian Government consulted with Traditional Owner groups over its decision to continue dingo killing is an important step towards our ultimate goal: restoring Traditional Owner group to their rightful place as decision-makers for culturally significant species.

Congratulations to our friends at Defend the Wild for their work with the Animal Justice Party to see this documents motion pass.
... See MoreSee Less

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