A new Federal Government approach to working with First Nations communities as “economic decision-makers” reconnected to “the wealth of their land and waters” is a welcome and important change, says the statewide body that advocates for the rights and interests of Victorian Traditional Owner groups – but must not leave behind groups without recognised native title or ignore the Victorian research outlining a Traditional Owner-led pathway to economic justice.

The Federation of Victorian Traditional Owner Corporations welcomes today’s historic native title consent determination for the First Peoples of the Millewa-Mallee, which includes Latji Latji, Ngintait, and Nyeri Nyeri peoples with ancestral connections to north-west Victoria.

The truth of land dispossession laid out by Victoria’s historic truth-telling inquiry clearly demonstrates the central role to be played by Traditional Owner groups in a just and reconciled future.

A statement on the Federation’s leadership from Board Chairperson, Cassandra Lewis.

The Victorian Budget’s commitments to truth, Treaty and self-determination for First Nations communities can only be delivered by sustained resourcing for Traditional Owner Corporations.

A Victorian Government dingo decision that may have breached Aboriginal peoples’ legal rights must be rectified by enabling Traditional Owner management of culturally significant species, regardless of the outcome of a legal challenge to the decision.

Ending disadvantage experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples requires an economic transformation driven by land rights and justice – and a new report, launched today, outlines 11 steps to create independent wealth for First Nations communities and unlock $1 billion in benefits for the Victorian economy.

Ending disadvantage experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples requires significantly increased access to the capital, markets and land that drive Indigenous economic development, not only jobs and mentoring.