Barengi Gadjin Land Council Aboriginal Corporation (BGLC), representing the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia and Jupagulk Peoples of the Wotjobaluk Nations of northwest Victoria, have formally commenced their preparations for treaty negotiations.
BGLC, a Registered Aboriginal Party (RAP) and native title holder, whose Country includes the towns of Horsham and Warracknabeal, the Wimmera River and Lake Hindmarsh, have now been entered onto the Treaty Authority’s Negotiations Register.
The Negotiations Register is a publicly accessible site where information about Victorian treaties is held, such as the status of negotiations and the area of Country a Group intends to negotiate over.
The Negotiations Register is maintained by the Treaty Authority – the independent and impartial body that oversees and facilitates treaty-making in Victoria.
Entry onto the Negotiations Register indicates that a Traditional Owner Group is ready to begin preparations for treaty negotiations. The next step is forming a Delegation to conduct negotiations with the State.
There are four Traditional Owner Groups entered onto the Negotiations Register.
Dr Petah Atkinson, Yorta Yorta woman and Treaty Authority Member, said:
“This is an historic milestone for the Wotjobaluk Nations Peoples. Wotjobaluk Peoples were the first in southwestern Victoria to gain native title recognition and we acknowledge their entry onto the Register is yet another one of many hard-fought efforts for their self-determination. The Treaty Authority will continue to support BGLC as they do the groundwork to prepare for treaty negotiations.”
Thelma Austin, Djab Wurrung, Kirrae Wurrung and Gunditjmara woman and Treaty Authority Member, said:
“The Treaty Authority congratulates BGLC – the Wotjobaluk Traditional Owners – on this incredible achievement. Treaty is about justice, empowerment and self-determination for First Peoples. In recent months, we have seen significant momentum for treaty-making in Victoria, which will build a stronger and fairer state. We look forward to working alongside the Wotjobaluk Peoples as they progress their treaty aspirations.”
View the Negotiations Register here.
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