Bangerang and Wiradjuri Elder Aunty Geraldine Atkinson announced on Thursday she will not stand for re-election in May's First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria elections.

Atkinson, who along with Nira illim bulluk man Marcus Stewart, are the inaugural co-chairs of the Assembly, urged the next generation of First Peoples to continue the fight for land rights, justice and self-determination.

"There's a lot of talented mob out there and I'm hoping we'll see a lot of amazing people put their hands up to run as candidates," she told National Indigenous Times.

Aunty Geraldine said her experience as the inaugural woman Co-Chair had been an "extraordinary honour" and was proud of the "significant" accomplishments the Assembly has achieved in its first term.

"Growing up I'd often listen to our Elders talking about Treaty, but I never imagined I'd be one of the people entrusted by Community to help turn our collective hopes and dreams for Treaty into reality."

Aunty Geraldine has been a driving force behind policy reform in Indigenous education. Prior to her election to the Assembly, she has held the role of President of the Victorian Aboriginal Education Association since 1999.

Mr Stewart praised Aunty Geraldine, describing working alongside her as an "enormous privilege".

"I have learnt so much from seeing Aunt in action," he told National Indigenous Times.

"She is a powerful woman and an inspiring Elder. She can be as tough as nails when she needs to be, but also brings so much warmth and wisdom to the table."

Aunty Geraldine noted that the whilst the first term had focused primarily on creating a foundation for the process for how a Treaty will be negotiated in Victoria, the next group of people elected to the Assembly will be responsible for the actual negotiations around the state-wide Treaty.

"We need our people to show their support and have their say by getting enrolled with the Assembly, but we also need people willing to put in the hard yards and get Treaty done," she said.

"Treaty is about putting our people in the driver's seat so we can make the decisions on the issues that affect us and our culture and Country. Mob in Victoria are making history.

"Nothing is off the table. The people who stand as candidates and are elected to the next term of the Assembly will be negotiating a state-wide Treaty with the Victorian government that improves the lives of our kids through truth-telling, better education, more jobs, affordable housing, better health, and justice for our people."

Steward said that finalisation of the treaty will be in large part thanks to Aunty Geraldine.

"Aunty's lifelong advocacy for justice and for our rights shows her dedication to creating a better future for our people. When Treaty is done in Victoria, it will be in huge part thanks to Aunty."

The treaty has been a lifelong goal for many in the Assembly, and Aunty Geraldine told National Indigenous Times it is time to "step up."

"Treaty is happening, but how good it will be, how strong it will be for our people, well that's up to you."

She encouraged everyone to get enrolled to that they could help make change: ""No matter where your mob is or where you live in this state, if you want to be part of delivering change for our people…we need to make sure all mob know they are invited to be part of this."

Victorian Traditional Owners of Country have until Monday 24 April to nominate as a candidate in the Assembly's Treaty elections. All eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in, or from, Victoria will be able to cast their vote between the 13 of May and 3 of June.