Dja Dja Wurrung Lead Victoria Towards Historic State Treaty

This is a compelling excerpt discussing the importance of treaties for Indigenous Australians, drawing parallels with New Zealand and highlighting Victoria’s pioneering efforts. Here’s a breakdown of the key themes and arguments presented:

Australia as an Outlier:

unique Denial: The piece emphasizes that Australia is unique among British settler colonies for denying the presence of its First Peoples to avoid treaty-making.
Lack of Motivation for Treaties: Professor Megan Davis explains this by stating that the British had no competition in Australia, unlike in New Zealand, and therefore no impetus to negotiate terms of coexistence. This ancient decision has had lasting negative consequences.Comparison with New Zealand:

The Treaty of Waitangi: The excerpt acknowledges that while the Treaty of Waitangi in New Zealand is imperfect and has been historically disregarded, it has provided a crucial platform for Māori political voice, land settlements, and cultural revitalization. This serves as a point of comparison for what Australia has missed out on.

Victoria’s Treaty Process as a Correction:

Addressing Historical Legacy: victoria’s Treaty process is presented as an attempt to rectify the historical denial of Indigenous sovereignty and the lack of treaty-making in Australia. Complexity and Progress: it’s recognized as a complex undertaking, occurring over 230 years after colonization, but it is showing signs of fruition.
Reclaiming Autonomy for communities: For Indigenous communities like the Dja Dja Wurrung, the treaty is about regaining autonomy and achieving lasting, impactful change.

Economic Justice and Cultural Renewal:

Beyond Symbolism: A treaty is seen as more than just symbolic; it’s a powerful tool for economic development and cultural strengthening.
Bridging Disadvantage: Darren Godwell of Indigenous Business Australia states that treaties can bridge historic disadvantage into inclusion.
Economic Empowerment: Treaties empower Customary Owners to pursue economic development on their own terms, whether in fisheries, agriculture, sustainability, or cultural enterprises. this requires establishing “treasurers and treasuries” for each sovereign nation.
Dja Dja Wurrung Example: For the Dja Dja Wurrung, this translates to having a say in local economic planning, land use, and service delivery, with specific priorities in housing, education, and language revival.

A Patchwork National Path Forward:

State-by-State Approach: The excerpt highlights the varied approaches to treaty-making across Australian states.
Victoria: Leads the way.
Queensland and NT: Paused or abandoned treaty efforts due to government changes.
Tasmania: Focused on truth-telling without a formal treaty process.
South Australia: Established a First Nations Voice,with treaty talks emerging.
NSW: The Treaty Commission has just begun consultations.
Optimism for Local Action: Despite the fragmented national approach, leaders like Berg are optimistic, emphasizing that meaningful change can begin at the state level, as demonstrated by Victoria, without waiting for a national treaty. Grassroots Power: Senator Lidia Thorpe stresses the importance of grassroots representation at the local government level, arguing that real change originates in communities, not necessarily in Canberra.

A Promise to the Future:

Hope and Contestation: The treaty journey is described as ongoing, marked by fragility, hope, and ongoing contestation. Reclaiming the Future: The central and powerful message is that First Nations peopel are not asking for permission but are actively reclaiming their future.

the excerpt paints a picture of a nation grappling with its colonial past and the ongoing struggle for Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination. It highlights the transformative potential of treaties as a mechanism for both justice and empowerment, while also acknowledging the complex and often slow progress being made.

What specific mechanisms will the treaty employ to ensure the Dja Dja Wurrung’s cultural authority is respected and upheld?

The landmark Agreement: A New Era for Indigenous Rights in Victoria

Victoria is on the cusp of signing its first-ever treaty with the Dja Dja Wurrung people, marking a pivotal moment in the state’s history and a notable step towards reconciliation with its First Nations communities. This Victorian Treaty, years in the making, represents a formal acknowledgement of sovereignty, self-determination, and the enduring connection of the Dja Dja Wurrung to their ancestral lands. The process, driven by the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation, is a model for future treaties with other recognised aboriginal groups in Victoria.

Understanding the Dja Dja Wurrung Customary Owners

The Dja Dja Wurrung people are the traditional custodians of central Victoria, spanning approximately 23,000 square kilometres. Their lands encompass diverse landscapes, from the Loddon River valley to the forests of the Great Dividing Range. For millennia, they have maintained a deep cultural and spiritual connection to this country.

Traditional Practices: The Dja Dja wurrung have a rich history of sustainable land management, including controlled burning practices and seasonal harvesting of native plants and animals.

Cultural Heritage: Significant archaeological sites and rock art throughout Dja Dja Wurrung country demonstrate a continuous presence dating back tens of thousands of years.

Resilience & Revival: Despite the devastating impacts of colonisation, the Dja Dja Wurrung community has demonstrated remarkable resilience in preserving their culture, language, and traditions. indigenous cultural heritage is central to this revival.

The Treaty Process: A Collaborative Journey

The Victorian Treaty process, initiated in 2016, is based on self-determination and genuine partnership. It differs significantly from past attempts at reconciliation, focusing on negotiation and agreement rather than imposition.

1. Recognition & Framework: The Victorian Government formally recognised the Dja Dja Wurrung as the first Aboriginal group to enter treaty negotiations in 2019. A Treaty Framework was established, outlining the principles and scope of the negotiations.
2. Negotiations: Years of intensive negotiations followed, covering a wide range of issues including:

Self-determination: Empowering the Dja Dja Wurrung to make decisions about their own affairs.

Land and Waters: Addressing past dispossession and securing ongoing access to and management of traditional lands and waters. Native title considerations are key.

Justice: Reforming the justice system to address systemic disadvantage and over-representation of Aboriginal people.

Cultural Heritage Protection: Strengthening protections for sacred sites and cultural practices.

Economic Development: creating opportunities for economic self-sufficiency and prosperity.

1. Draft Treaty & Community Consultation: A draft treaty was developed and subjected to extensive consultation within the Dja Dja Wurrung community. This ensured the agreement truly reflected the aspirations and priorities of the people.

Key Elements of the Proposed Treaty

While the full details of the treaty remain confidential until its official signing, key elements have been publicly outlined. The treaty aims to:

Establish a Truth-telling Process: A formal mechanism for acknowledging and addressing the historical injustices experienced by the Dja Dja Wurrung people. This is vital for reconciliation victoria.

Co-Management of Land & resources: Shared decision-making power over the management of parks, forests, and waterways within Dja Dja Wurrung country.

Financial Compensation: Addressing past wrongs through financial redress and investment in community development.

Cultural Authority: Recognising and supporting the Dja Dja Wurrung’s authority over their cultural heritage and intellectual property.

A Voice in Parliament: Exploring options for greater Aboriginal representation in the Victorian Parliament.

Benefits of a Treaty: Beyond Symbolic Recognition

The treaty’s meaning extends far beyond symbolic recognition. It offers tangible benefits for the Dja Dja Wurrung community and for all Victorians.

Improved Social Outcomes: Addressing systemic disadvantage and improving health, education, and employment outcomes for Aboriginal people.

Sustainable Land Management: Integrating traditional ecological knowledge into land management practices, leading to more sustainable and resilient ecosystems.