Allies and corporations who supported the Voice to Parliament need to get behind the treaty process, Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe says.

In a panel discussion at the Fitzroy Town Hall in Naarm to discuss Treaty, the Gunnai, Gunditjmara and Djab Wurrung woman was joined by First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria co-chair Ngarra Murray; Academic Uncle Gary Foley; and Indigenous activist Uncle Jim Everett, who also goes by the name puralia meenamatta.

With the Treaty negotiations between the First Peoples' Assembly and the Victorian government to begin this year, the three panellists had different perspectives on the merits and formulation of treaties, as well as the fear campaigns spread by some conservative elements and the need for more groups to get behind it.

"The Yes campaign need to get back on their bike and start pushing for Treaty," Senator Thorpe told the 200-plus crowd, before turning her criticism to the "dog eat dog" world of federal politics.

"We don't to leave it up to the politicians, it's got to be a peoples' movement. The people have to run it," she said.

Turning her attention to the opposition, both federally and in Victoria - where the Liberal-national Coalition were widely criticised for Indigenous groups for withdrawing from the previously bipartisan Treaty negotiations in January - Senator Thorpe said the coalition "doesn't like Treaty…they don't even know what it is".

"They just think we are going to take their back yard," she said.

"[But] we have the power of sovereignty, they don't."

Good Conversations from Big ❤️'s Truth Telling & Treaty Forum

Fitzroy Town Hall ⁦@SenatorThorpe⁩ , Uncle Gary Foley, Jim Everett-puralia meenamatta and @ngarra_murray about what a journey for Truth-Telling and Treaty looks like 🫵 pic.twitter.com/ZwOalNvM5F

— Wayne Ludbey (@WLudbey) June 20, 2024

Ms Murray said people and allies who supported the referendum last year needed to turn their support and backing to the Treaty process nationwide.

"All that goodwill and support we had last year, we have to manifest that into Treaty," she said.

Talking to National Indigenous Times, the Wamba Wamba, Yorta Yorta, Dhudhuroa and Dja Dja Wurrung woman said there were "many ways" in which allies could support the Treaty movement across the country.

"We want the allyship to mobilise and support our mobs…in their own truth and treaty journeys."

She encouraged people to write to their local politicians on the topic and noted that as long as allies are considerate of the spaces, and First Nations people, they have a "really important role to play".

"We have a responsibility to make sure we look after everyone…that's something we are working towards," she said.

"Treaty is really about the future generations…it's for everyone who lives here on our Country."

Uncle Gary Foley said the long-time fight for land rights by activists like himself and Uncle Jim was monumental, but many people - himself included - "took their eyes off the ball" after their success, and as a result, some things had regressed.

He said the younger generation needed to take control and "develop your own tactics and strategies that are applicable to your situation".

On the success of the "unprecedented" Treaty process in Victoria, Uncle Gary said it was "so important".

"If it doesn't succeed…if it doesn't achieve its intended purpose, it's going to set us back many years politically," Uncle Gary said.

"In the same way the fools who decided to host a referendum set us back 50 years."