First Peoples Assembly informs Jesuit Social Services staff on the Victorian Treaty process

In line with our vision of building a just society, Jesuit Social Services strongly supports the Victorian Treaty process. Recently, Jesuit Social Services asked First Peoples Assembly of Victoria to deliver an information session on Victoria’s Treaty process to staff.

At Jesuit Social Services we work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people throughout Victoria, New South Wales, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.  

Jesuit Social Services recognises that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across the country never ceded sovereignty and have long called for Treaty. Victoria is the first state to enter into Treaty negotiations. 

We understand that Treaty is an important step to addressing the historical and ongoing harms of colonisation and finding a pathway towards self-determination – the meaningful transfer of power and resources to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to control matters which impact their lives. 

First Peoples Assembly of Victoria is the democratically elected body representing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Treaty process. Engagement Officers from the First Peoples Assembly, James Thomson, proud Yorta Yorta man, and Allira Dryden, proud Yorta Yorta and Dja Dja Wurrung woman, presented to Jesuit Social Services staff recently on how the Assembly is working with the Victorian Government to negotiate Treaty. 

James and Allira explained how the Assembly yarned with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across the state over two years, to establish key building blocks needed for Treaty in Victoria. One of those is the Treaty Negotiation Framework.  

The Assembly will both negotiate a State-wide Treaty to cover state-wide matters, and empower Traditional Owner groups across the state to negotiate their own treaties with the State Government. A Self Determination Fund will fund Traditional Owners to prepare for and participate in treaty negotiations, as well as build wealth and prosperity for current and future Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

The Assembly has also negotiated with the Government to give up some of its power by establishing the Treaty Authority, an independent Aboriginal led umpire to oversee and facilitate Treaty negotiations, and uphold Aboriginal lore throughout the process. 

Elections for Victorian representatives in Treaty negotiations are now open and close on June 3, 2023. Victorian Traditional Owners and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have lived in Victoria for at least three of the last five years and are 16 and over can enrol to vote. 

James encouraged Jesuit Social Services staff to spread the word about the Treaty process, saying “we make up 2-3% of the population in Victoria, so it’s so important we get our allies educated. Each and every one of you has an opportunity to spread this information.” 

For more information, visit firstpeoplesvic.org. 

Jesuit Social Services also recently released a position statement on the upcoming referendum on a constitutionally enshrined Voice to Parliament. Learn why we support a Voice to Parliament here.