The Taungurung Land and Waters Council (TLaWC), representing the Taungurung Nation of central Victoria, have given formal notice that they are preparing for treaty negotiations.
The Taungurung Nation has been entered on the Treaty Authority’s Negotiations Register, a step which indicates a Traditional Owner Group’s intention and readiness to begin preparations for treaty-making with the State of Victoria.
The Negotiations Register is a publicly accessible site where information about treaty negotiations is held, including which Traditional Owner Groups are preparing for negotiations, the status of negotiations and the Country they will cover.
The Negotiations Register is managed by the Treaty Authority, the independent body that oversees and facilitates treaty-making in Victoria. There are now five Traditional Owner Groups on the Negotiations Register.
In Victoria, there are two types of treaties – Statewide Treaty, which was negotiated last year, and Traditional Owner treaties, which will be negotiated by individual Traditional Owner Groups and cover local matters on Country.
A Traditional Owner Group is entered on the Negotiations Register once meeting a set of criteria and submitting a formal notice to the Treaty Authority, called a Minimum Standards notification.
While a Traditional Owner Group is only required to submit this notice to formally begin the treaty journey, Taungurung also submitted its ‘Notification of Intention to Form a Delegation’ at the same time. Delegation formation is the next stage in the treaty journey, requiring Traditional Owners to agree on a range of key matters before they invite the State to negotiate.
Taungurung describe their Country as known for its Mountains and Rivers, extending from the Great Dividing Range in the east and south, follows the Waring (Goulburn River) from its headwaters, and includes Mt Buffalo and the towns of Seymour, Nagambie, Alexandra and Mansfield.
Jidah Clark, Djab Wurrung man and Treaty Authority Chair, said:
“Today we acknowledge this important milestone for the Taungurung Nation. Treaty is about justice, empowerment and self-determination for First Peoples. The Treaty Authority looks forward to Taungurung continuing its groundwork for negotiations.”
Dr Petah Atkinson, Yorta Yorta woman and Treaty Authority Member, said:
“The Treaty Authority is ready to support Taungurung and all Traditional Owner Groups on the treaty journey. Traditional Owners across Victoria are forming their treaty aspirations and stepping forward to make those a reality. The Treaty Authority is available to yarn with any group interested in finding out more about treaty and what supports are available. The path is designed to be flexible and Traditional Owners can choose to take it at their own pace.”
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