- Date:
- 1 Oct 2019
The report 'To be heard and for the words to have actions' Traditional Owner voices: improving government relationships and supporting strong foundations, is the result of extensive contributions by over 120 Traditional Owners of the regions of far east Gippsland, north-east Victoria and mid north-west Victoria without formal recognition, as well as formally recognised Traditional Owner groups.
Engagement between Aboriginal Victoria and Traditional Owners resulting in this report occurred from December 2018-July 2019.
Traditional Owners provided important information about how Government can better engage with and resource Traditional Owner groups. For Traditional Owners, particularly those of the far east Gippsland, north-east Victoria and mid north-west Victoria, there is persistent disappointment about government processes and a feeling of being left behind: 'We have been saying this stuff for a hundred years.'
At the same time, there is hope and courage for the future: 'We want to get things in place for our future leaders,' and a desire to build better relationships to take 'everybody – government and community – to a sustainable place.'
Traditional Owners have said that improving government engagement requires:
- Recognising and respecting rights.
- Strengthening relationships with a more coordinated government.
- Supporting and resourcing Traditional Owners.
- Building a culturally aware and competent workforce.
- Effectively reaching out, communicating and sharing information.
- Sharing power and control in defining and achieving mutually beneficial outcomes.
- Creating more opportunities for Aboriginal employment and promotion in government, in supportive and culturally safe workplaces.
Traditional Owners identified healing, Country and culture, governance, young people, relationships and recognition as priorities for support.
The report informs 2 Victorian Government projects:
- Strong Roots for Our Futures Program (formerly Traditional Owner Self Determination Scheme)
- Traditional Owner Engagement Project
Acknowledgement
We strongly acknowledge the traditional land on which we live and work and pay our respects to Elders past, present and future.
Foreword
Acknowledgement of Traditional Owners.
Language statement
Terms used in this report.
Introduction
This report aims to hear, reflect and project Traditional Owner voices, particularly those of regions where there is no formal recognition.
Traditional Owner formal recognition in Victoria
In Victoria, there are 3 different processes through which Aboriginal people can seek the formal recognition of the State as Traditional Owners of their ancestral Country.
What are the projects?
The two projects are separate but interrelated.
Who was involved?
Engagement had a focus on conversations with Victorian Traditional Owner groups not recognised under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006, Native Title Act 1993 or Traditional Owner Settlement Act 2010.
What was the approach?
These projects aimed to engage as broadly as possible in the three regions.
Strengths, aspirations and support needs
Traditional Owner needs.
What is holding people back?
The following section explores common barriers to achieving aspirations existing across the regions.
How can government better engage with Traditional Owners?
The following section explores common themes that arose from discussions where Traditional Owners spoke about what government must do to engage meaningfully and respectfully.
Moving forward
There was broad support for the development of guiding documents (i.e. policies, principles, framework etc.) to improve government engagement with Traditional Owners.
Conclusion
This report presents the voices of over 120 Victorian Traditional Owners who provided critical information about how government can better resource and engage with Traditional Owner groups.
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