20 Indigenous Elders appointed to offer cultural authority during Treaty negotiations in Victoria

Dechlan Brennan Published April 22, 2024 at 10.00am (AWST)

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Uncle Rodney Carter. (Image: Brendan McCarthy/Bendigo Advertiser)

Indigenous leaders from across Victoria have been appointed to an Elders group to help guide the First Peoples' Assembly during the upcoming treaty negotiations with the state government.

The Elders' Voice Standing Group is made up of 20 esteemed First Nations Elders from across Victoria, chosen because of their experience, wisdom and standing in the community.

The group sees both gender and geographical representation, with the members selected after an open process whereby Elders nominated to join the body. They had their inaugural meeting earlier this month in the wake of the state-wide Treaty gathering in Geelong.

Under the leadership of Elders' Voice co-chairs Aunty Esmerelda Bamblett and Uncle Rodney Carter, it is expected the group will help provide both wisdom and cultural authority to the Assembly during the Treaty making process.

"From the very start of our journey to Treaty," Ms Bamblett said.

"Community made it clear that Elders are integral to who we are as Aboriginal people, and that the Assembly needed to establish a mechanism whereby the voices of our Elders would guide the process."

She said the foundational work by Aunty Charmaine Clarke and Uncle Andrew Gardiner meant "we can proudly stand here and say that the Elders' Voice has finally come to fruition."

Mr Carter said the Elders possessed a breadth of collective experience that was "amazing."

"The scope of knowledge, wisdom and experience that's captured by these 20 Elders is inspiring and humbling," he said.

"We are so fortunate to have this opportunity, wherein the Assembly and our community will benefit immeasurably by the cultural knowledge of these Elders to enrich Treaty outcomes."

The Treaty negotiations are expected to begin between the First Peoples' Assembly and the Victorian Government later this year.

Elders' Voice Standing Group

Metro:

Uncle Anthony Egan - Bunurong

Uncle Alan Brown - Gunditjmara

Aunty Doreen Lovett - Kerrupmara, Gunditjmara, Boonwurrung

Aunty Muriel Bamblett - Yorta Yorta, Boonwurrung, Taungurung and Dja Dja Wurrung

North West:

Uncle Daniel Kelly - Wamba Wamba and Mutthi Mutthi

Aunty Joyce Kennedy - Tati Tati, Mutthi Mutthi, Wadi Wadi

Aunty Thelma Chilly - Wiradjuri, Mutthi Mutthi, Wadi Wadi, Wemba Wemba, Barapa Barapa, Yorta Yorta

Aunty Jennifer Beer - Wotjobaluk nations