The Bidwell-Maap Traditional Owner Group has been entered onto the Treaty Authority’s Negotiations Register, marking an important milestone on the path toward Treaty in Victoria. The entry indicates that Bidwell-Maap is ready to begin preparations for Traditional Owner Treaty negotiations.
Under the Treaty Negotiation Framework, the rules guiding Victoria’s Treaty process, a Traditional Owner Group’s entry onto the Register is the first formal step towards negotiations after meeting a set of Minimum Standards.
The Bidwell-Maap Aboriginal Corporation (BMAC), acting on behalf of Bidwell-Maap people, started the process with a formal notification to the Treaty Authority on 31 October.
Simultaneously, Bidwell-Maap Traditional Owners, whose Country they describe covers parts of Far East Gippsland, also submitted a Notification of Intention to Form a Delegation. Under the rules for Treaty-making, if two or more Traditional Owner Groups share Country, or have overlapping Country, and want to negotiate a Treaty with the State of Victoria, this will be done together as a “delegation”.
The Treaty Authority is the independent and impartial body that oversees and facilitates Treaty-making in Victoria. The Treaty Authority will now work with Bidwell-Maap to support their Treaty journey.
Andrew Jackomos, Yorta Yorta man and Treaty Authority Member, said:
“Bidwell-Maap’s entry onto the Negotiations Register and desire to form a delegation is an historic step forward for Traditional Owners on the Treaty journey – one that has been self-determined and hard-fought. We acknowledge the culmination of those efforts for Bidwell-Maap. We’re looking forward to continuing to work with Bidwell-Maap on their Treaty journey and overseeing a fair and just process for all First Peoples in Far East Gippsland.”
Duean White, Biripi woman and Treaty Authority Member, said:
“We’re pleased that the second Group to be entered onto the Treaty Negotiations Register is a smaller, not yet formally recognised Group. This illustrates that Treaty can be an aspiration for all Traditional Owners.”
Bidwell-Maap is the second Traditional Owner Group on the Treaty Negotiations Register, following Dja Dja Wurrung’s entry in May 2025.