Today’s commencement of statewide Treaty negotiations is an historic moment to reset the relationship between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the state of Victoria, restore respect, and more meaningfully recognise the inherent rights First Nations peoples have long fought for, says the state-wide body that advocates for the rights and interests of Victorian Traditional Owner groups. Federation of Victorian Traditional Owner Corporations CEO, Paul Paton, hailed the commencement of negotiations for a statewide Treaty between the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria and the Victorian Government as an opportunity for systemic change that will improve Aboriginal peoples’ life outcomes. “This is an historic moment in Victoria’s story and represents the start of the first fair Treaty in this state’s history,” says Mr Paton. “For the first time, big structural change that can help redress the harmful impacts of colonisation will be available to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in Victoria – which will enable us to make decisions about our communities and the issues that affect us.” First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria is a democratically elected community body that will negotiate a statewide Treaty with the Victorian Government on topics that include recognising historic wrongs, making…
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