Tati Tati, a Traditional Owner Group whose lands are in northwest Victoria including Robinvale/Wemen, Euston, Narrung/boundary bend and Manangatang have taken their first formal step towards negotiating a Traditional Owner treaty with the State of Victoria.
Tati Tati 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 treaty 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 now four Traditional Owner Groups entered onto the Negotiations Register.
Duean White, Biripi woman and Treaty Authority Member, said:
“The Treaty Authority looks forward to supporting Tati Tati on their journey to treaty. Importantly, Tati Tati is now the second Group on the Negotiations Register without existing formal recognition through state or federal legislation. This demonstrates that the Traditional Owner treaty process is fair and equitable for Traditional Owners. Traditional Owners in Victoria can take the treaty journey on their own terms and the path is open to all Groups.”
Andrew Jackomos, Yorta Yorta man and Treaty Authority Member, said:
“This is an exciting step forward for the self-determination of Tati Tati people. As more Traditional Owners progress their paths to treaty, we acknowledge that this process will contribute to greater reconciliation for all Victorians.”
View the Negotiations Register here.
Media contact
For interviews or more information, contact Megan Giles on 0472 508 001 or [email protected]