Skip to main content

News & Media

Amplifying Traditional Owner voices in the media, raising Traditional Owner concerns through advocacy and celebrating Traditional Owner vision through policy is at the core of our work.

We do this through publications, media and engagement.

Discussion Papers

The development of the Federation’s treaty Discussion Papers was funded by the Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC) to support Aboriginal Victorians with the transition to treaty.

The Federation released six papers, developed to align with the insights and questions posed during Traditional Owner treaty engagement meetings.

The discussion papers successfully stimulate ideas, discussion and debate about treaty and agreement making in Victoria.

View all Discussion Papers

Annual Reports

The Federation publishes its financial statements detailing the group’s financial performance and that of its subsidiary companies.

The accounts are prepared in accordance with Australian Accounting standards, and as a registered charity, the Federation is subject to regulation by the Australian Charities and Not for Profits Commission.

View all Annual Reports

Media Statements

Clean energy strategy investment respects Traditional Owners as partners and rights-holders (6 December 2024)

Traditional Owner groups welcome recommended reforms for economic self-determination (27 November 2024)

Law reform to power Indigenous economic development a welcome step towards self-determination (26 November 2024)

Traditional Owner groups welcome Treaty negotiations (21 November 2024)

Traditional Owners must be at the heart of managing culturally significant native species (25 September 2024)

Victorian Government must protect and respect native dingoes, say Traditional Owner groups (7 September 2024)

Federation celebrates Wamba Wemba Aboriginal Corporation’s formal recognition (13 August 2024)

Victorian Opposition must end racist blame and get the facts straight on cultural heritage (29 July 2024)

Victorian Traditional Owner groups ready for cultural management of Country through increased IPAs (12 July 2024)

Aboriginal dispossession must wind up with VicForests (30 June 2024)

Traditional Owner groups welcome dedicated education funding as a step towards self-determination (31 May 2024)

Stolen water wealth must be returned to Traditional Owners through Murray-Darling Basin buybacks (20 May 2024)

Governments must restore and respect Traditional Owners’ authority for Budget pledges to be meaningful (15 May 2024)

Historic Bakaru Wayaparrangu agreement will redress past injustice and enable Traditional Owners’ prosperity (14 May 2024)

Victorian Government ministers must follow Yoorrook Justice Commission testimony with action (2 May 2024)

Victorian Government doesn’t fully understand self-determination, Yoorrook Justice Commission hears (17 April 2024)

Victorian Government must commit to Aboriginal-owned water title for Murray-Darling Basin (12 April 2024)

Declaration of the Southern Ocean offshore wind area does not respect Traditional Owner rights and responsibilities for Sea Country (18 March 2024)

Aboriginal Culture and Healing Flood Recovery Grant Program (6 March 2024)

Governments must commit to the work of Closing the Gap (7 February 2024)

View all Media Statements

Strategic Plans

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.

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. Together, our joint purpose is to facilitate and amplify a strong voice for Traditional Owners and progress our shared interests.

View all Strategic Plans

Connect With Us on Social Media

FacebookInstagramTwitter
Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons
It’s 50 years of NAIDOC Week! ✊🏾

2025 marks 50 years since the first all-Aboriginal NAIDOC committee decided its annual event of mourning, celebration and protest should span a full week.

This year’s NAIDOC Week theme – ‘The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy’ – honours Ancestors past and Elders present, and uplifts those shaping the future. 

This week, and always, we acknowledge the strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the depth of our cultures, and the ongoing fight for truth, Treaty, justice and rights.

It’s 50 years of NAIDOC Week! ✊🏾

2025 marks 50 years since the first all-Aboriginal NAIDOC committee decided its annual event of mourning, celebration and protest should span a full week.

This year’s NAIDOC Week theme – ‘The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy’ – honours Ancestors past and Elders present, and uplifts those shaping the future.

This week, and always, we acknowledge the strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the depth of our cultures, and the ongoing fight for truth, Treaty, justice and rights.
... See MoreSee Less

The truth of land dispossession laid out by Yoorrook Justice Commission clearly demonstrates the central role played by Traditional Owner groups in a just and reconciled future.

That’s what we said in our latest media release, which welcomes the 100 recommendations of the historic truth-telling inquiry’s final report, and Official Public Record of the devastating impact of colonisation Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

We’re glad to see bold yet practical ideas for reorienting Nation-to-Nation relations, redressing land theft, and reforming laws to make it easier for Traditional Owner groups to own, access and manage Country – as the cultural and community authorities they are.

Read more 👉🏾 bit.ly/4ly8LOS

The truth of land dispossession laid out by Yoorrook Justice Commission clearly demonstrates the central role played by Traditional Owner groups in a just and reconciled future.

That’s what we said in our latest media release, which welcomes the 100 recommendations of the historic truth-telling inquiry’s final report, and Official Public Record of the devastating impact of colonisation Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

We’re glad to see bold yet practical ideas for reorienting Nation-to-Nation relations, redressing land theft, and reforming laws to make it easier for Traditional Owner groups to own, access and manage Country – as the cultural and community authorities they are.

Read more 👉🏾 bit.ly/4ly8LOS
... See MoreSee Less

12 strong TOCs and three happy Federation staff members! 👏🏽

All day today weve been sharing ideas and supporting decisions with Victorias Traditional Owner Corporations, in our role as secretariat to their caucus on the (deep breath) Statewide Caring for Country Partnership Forum. 

Its a bit of a mouthful, but its a fantastic forum: a place where decisions for Country can be made jointly between relevant Victorian Government departments and the 12 formally recognised Traditional Owner Corporations.

We provide administrative and policy support to the forums Traditional Owner Corporation Caucus, and were thrilled to be in the room as usual today for a packed Caucus agenda covering critical minerals mining, renewable energy, decision-making for Country in emergencies, plus strategy, communications and processes for the TOC Caucus.

Rotating chair Matt Burns from Taungurung Land & Waters Council held the room beautifully, and it was great to hear such insightful, clear and compelling contributions from all Traditional Owner Corporations. Thanks for another great TOC Caucus! ✊🏾

—

Barengi Gadjin Land Council
Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation
DJAARA
Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation
First Peoples of the Millewa-Mallee Aboriginal Corporation  
Gunditj Mirring
GLaWAC
Taungurung Land & Waters Council
Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation
Wamba Wemba Aboriginal Corporation
Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation.
Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation

12 strong TOCs and three happy Federation staff members! 👏🏽

All day today we've been sharing ideas and supporting decisions with Victoria's Traditional Owner Corporations, in our role as secretariat to their caucus on the (deep breath) Statewide Caring for Country Partnership Forum.

It's a bit of a mouthful, but it's a fantastic forum: a place where decisions for Country can be made jointly between relevant Victorian Government departments and the 12 formally recognised Traditional Owner Corporations.

We provide administrative and policy support to the forum's Traditional Owner Corporation Caucus, and were thrilled to be in the room as usual today for a packed Caucus agenda covering critical minerals mining, renewable energy, decision-making for Country in emergencies, plus strategy, communications and processes for the TOC Caucus.

Rotating chair Matt Burns from Taungurung Land & Waters Council held the room beautifully, and it was great to hear such insightful, clear and compelling contributions from all Traditional Owner Corporations. Thanks for another great TOC Caucus! ✊🏾



Barengi Gadjin Land Council
Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation
DJAARA
Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation
First Peoples of the Millewa-Mallee Aboriginal Corporation
Gunditj Mirring
GLaWAC
Taungurung Land & Waters Council
Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation
Wamba Wemba Aboriginal Corporation
Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation.
Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation
... See MoreSee Less

Load more