The Victorian Government is selling out Traditional Owner rights for a few hundred tonnes of shellfish, and must immediately commit to a Traditional Owner-led fisheries strategy if it’s serious about fair Treaty-making.
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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.
Victorian Government must step back so Traditional Owners can manage dingo culturally (9 April 2025)
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.
The Federation welcomed the opportunity to contribute a submission to the Independent Review of Victoria’s Wildlife Act 1975, which sought to update how the 45-year-old piece of legislation could better reflect contemporary views and values, including respecting Traditional Owners. Our submission focused squarely on Traditional Owner groups’ rights: calling for a refreshed Wildlife Act that enshrines UNDRIP, enables self-determination, and reimagines natural resource management into a cultural landscapes worldview. Download the submission
The post-Voice, pre-Treaty year: how will history see 2023 and 2024? The Federation’s latest annual report summarises a challenging year, which saw governments baulk at progressing Aboriginal rights, walk back commitments to truth-telling and self-determination, and use ‘wait for Treaty’ as an excuse to avoid or delay decisions that would materially improve life outcomes for Aboriginal Victorians – despite the latest Closing the Gap reports showing just five of 19 targets are on track. But adversity breeds innovation, and this year, the Federation commenced a bold new advocacy for Traditional Owner Corporations – advancing Traditional Owner groups’ rights and interests through systems change, practical support, and public advocacy. We’re pleased to summarise the year’s highlights in our latest annual report. Download the annual report
