Home - Federation of Victorian Traditional Owner Corporations

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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Animals

Climate

Closing the Gap

Cultural Landscapes

Fire

Heritage

Plants

Water

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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Aboriginal Culture and Healing Flood Recovery Grant Program

Closing the Gap

Country-based planning services

First Principles Review

Nation-building

Rights

Treaty

Economy

Economic development supports community wellbeing and is critical to enabling self-determination.

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Aboriginal-owned joint ventures

Closing the Gap

Economic Development Roadmap

Indigenous preferential procurement

Local government

Native foods and botanicals business grants

Native foods and botanicals strategy

Renewable energy

Victorian Aboriginal economic development

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.

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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10 Year Anniversary

Contact Us

Federation Enterprises

Memberships

Our Partners

Strategic Documents

Welcome to Country

Resources

Discussion papers

Information sheets

Publications

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Federation of Victorian Traditional Owner Corporations

21 hours ago

Incredible news!

Seeing GLaWAC welcomed to the table to manage five billion litres of the Latrobe River is an important step for Gunaikurnai self-determination and continuing cultural practice. We welcome any step that restores Traditional Owner groups to their rightful role managing and caring for Country. ... See MoreSee Less

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Federation of Victorian Traditional Owner Corporations

1 day ago

A pretty good day at the dingo sanctuary 😋

Last week, we visited the dingo sanctuary in Melbournes west with our friends from Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation, to see efforts to protect this culturally and ecologically significant animal from extinction.

It was such a privilege to spend time with these creatures that are so important for keeping our Country healthy and the passionate people who are making sure they survive, said Gabby.

Patting dingoes is a highlight, of course, but equally wonderful was learning about their different appearances and important role in the ecosystem as an apex predator – reinforcing our long-standing position that current wild dog management programs arent the best use of resources, and culturally significant species must be managed: holistically, in the cultural landscape, and in genuine partnership with Traditional Owners.

Thank you Mel and your team for having us!

A pretty good day at the dingo sanctuary 😋

Last week, we visited the dingo sanctuary in Melbourne's west with our friends from Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation, to see efforts to protect this culturally and ecologically significant animal from extinction.

"It was such a privilege to spend time with these creatures that are so important for keeping our Country healthy and the passionate people who are making sure they survive," said Gabby.

Patting dingoes is a highlight, of course, but equally wonderful was learning about their different appearances and important role in the ecosystem as an apex predator – reinforcing our long-standing position that current 'wild dog' management programs aren't the best use of resources, and culturally significant species must be managed: holistically, in the cultural landscape, and in genuine partnership with Traditional Owners.

Thank you Mel and your team for having us! ... See MoreSee Less

Federation of Victorian Traditional Owner Corporations

3 days ago

The October 2022 floods inundated Lock Island – a peaceful, 15-hectare sanctuary for wildlife and tourism in the heart of Mildura.

Floodwaters surged the wetlands, dragging debris up throughout the bush, and destroying trails and animal habitats.

But – thanks to a grant under the Aboriginal Culture and Healing Flood Recovery Program (which we administer on behalf of Emergency Recovery Victoria), First People of the Millewa Mallee Aboriginal Corporation has transformed Lock Island.

In partnership with Mildura Regional Development, Mildura Rural City Council, Goulburn-Murray Water, DEECA, and Mallee CMA, FPMMAC has cleared debris and rubbish, remade safe and stable walking tracks, and reinvigorated native plant so animals can return.

The Trail of Lights art installation has subsequently been established on the island, and FPMMAC has plans for signage telling the stories of the area’s scar trees, and to one day return practices like cultural burning to Lock Island.

Its always a pleasure to see an Aboriginal Culture and Healing Flood Recovery Grant project in action, and we were thrilled to have the chance to visit Mildura today. Thank you FPMMAC for having us!

The October 2022 floods inundated Lock Island – a peaceful, 15-hectare sanctuary for wildlife and tourism in the heart of Mildura.

Floodwaters surged the wetlands, dragging debris up throughout the bush, and destroying trails and animal habitats.

But – thanks to a grant under the Aboriginal Culture and Healing Flood Recovery Program (which we administer on behalf of Emergency Recovery Victoria), First People of the Millewa Mallee Aboriginal Corporation has transformed Lock Island.

In partnership with Mildura Regional Development, Mildura Rural City Council, Goulburn-Murray Water, DEECA, and Mallee CMA, FPMMAC has cleared debris and rubbish, remade safe and stable walking tracks, and reinvigorated native plant so animals can return.

The Trail of Lights art installation has subsequently been established on the island, and FPMMAC has plans for signage telling the stories of the area’s scar trees, and to one day return practices like cultural burning to Lock Island.

It's always a pleasure to see an Aboriginal Culture and Healing Flood Recovery Grant project in action, and we were thrilled to have the chance to visit Mildura today. Thank you FPMMAC for having us! ... See MoreSee Less

Federation of Victorian Traditional Owner Corporations

1 week ago

We’re hiring! 📣

There’s a rare opportunity to join our big-thinking team dedicated to progressing Traditional Owner groups’ priorities for healthy Country.

As our new natural resources management senior advisor, you’ll contribute policy insights, strategic thinking, and solid stakeholder relationships to directly support Traditional Owner groups in their ambitions to heal and manage Country, according to their own cultural practices and self-determined priorities.

This is a full-time role (that could be four days, for the right person!), based between our Carlton office and home, with a salary ranging from $99,397 to $112,336.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply, and we’re always up for a chat about what the role involves (give us a message and we’ll pass on the right contact).

Closing 27 April! | bit.ly/4fS5cBc

We’re hiring! 📣

There’s a rare opportunity to join our big-thinking team dedicated to progressing Traditional Owner groups’ priorities for healthy Country.

As our new natural resources management senior advisor, you’ll contribute policy insights, strategic thinking, and solid stakeholder relationships to directly support Traditional Owner groups in their ambitions to heal and manage Country, according to their own cultural practices and self-determined priorities.

This is a full-time role (that could be four days, for the right person!), based between our Carlton office and home, with a salary ranging from $99,397 to $112,336.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply, and we’re always up for a chat about what the role involves (give us a message and we’ll pass on the right contact).

Closing 27 April! | bit.ly/4fS5cBc ... See MoreSee Less

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