Conversations, truth-telling and respect: Treaty gathering takes place in Naarm

Dechlan Brennan and Jarred Cross Published February 28, 2025 at 6.35pm (AWST)

Powerful conversations are on the agenda at the second Statewide Treaty gathering on Wurundjeri country as the Treaty negotiations with the Victorian government continue.

Held at the MCG, the annual event saw people from across the state gather to continue to promote and discuss their aspirations and goals, organisers say, as well as learn more about the finer mechanisms of Treaty.

The historic Treaty negotiations between the state government and the First Peoples' Assembly began at the end of last year with the first aspect understood to be on target for completion by the middle of the year.

First Peoples' Assembly Co-chair and Gunditjmara man, Rueben Berg told National Indigenous Times whilst the Assembly had gatherings across the state, this weekend's event was about gathering everyone's perspectives on the "conversations we're having, and just continue that journey towards treaty making".

"From my perspective, it's really key that we make sure that our community understands that when we talk about those aspirations… our conversations with government is not about if we're going to make those things happen, it's how we're going to make those things happen," Mr Berg said.

"That's what's really key from my perspective…as it relates to the truth telling work and the accountability mechanism."

Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Elder, Uncle Bill Nicholson Jr, said Treaty was another aspect of listening - "the basis of mutual respect".

"Many of our Elders fought for this result, but didn't get to see it," he said of the Treaty process.

"It's now up to us to create that end result."

He added: "The impacts of racial discrimination on this land…some of our mobs aren't even here anymore."

Assembly co-chair Rueben Berg on Friday at the Treaty gathering (Image: Jarred Cross)

The state government has embarked on Treaty negotiations with the First Peoples of Victoria - the first such time a government has negotiated a Treaty with an Indigenous body in Australia.

Initially a bipartisan approach, the state's opposition withdrew their support last year, and Treaty has since been faced with mis- and disinformation from opponents to the process.

National Indigenous Times understands there has been an effort to lower the media attention surrounding the process from some of those involved, especially since the negotiations began at the end of last year.

Asked when people could begin to see tangible results from Treaty, Mr Berg said while the negotiations were ongoing, the Assembly would continue to ensure they were giving updates on the proceedings.

"We gave those updates back in January, and we'll keep giving updates to the broader community; we're pushing things forward as quickly as we can, and we'll continue to do so."

The process itself has taken close to a decade, with First Peoples and Treaty Minister Natalie Hutchins noting last year every conversation she had with Indigenous people across the state in her multiple government portfolios ended with calls for Treaty.

Speaking at a press conference last year, Premier Jacinta Allan said Treaty was needed to help "reset the relationship between the state of Victoria and First Peoples".

"We're about to embark on treaty negotiations that will make our strong state even stronger, even fairer. Since colonisation, First Peoples in this state have been excluded from opportunity," she said.

"We need to change, we need to listen, we need to close the gap, and it's not happening now."

Citing successful examples of treaties from across the globe, Premier Allan added: "For decades, governments around the world - be they in the United States, in Canada, in New Zealand - have had treaties with their First Peoples and it's been shown to drive better outcomes."

Mr Berg said every conversation the Assembly has had across the state offered a chance for people to learn more about the Treaty process and how it would impact First Peoples in Victoria.

"It's a complicated space, the treaty space," he admitted.

"It is really important to keep having those conversations…I think there's this really strong unity around the work that we're doing at the moment."

Speaking in the shadow of Australia's sporting coliseum during his Welcome to Country, Uncle Bill said the MCG for a long time had been the scene of "numerous corroborees".

"This land's health relates to ours and future generations," he said.

Uncle Bill ended his speech citing his hopefulness the weekend's conversations, and the Treaty negotiations, would feature "fruitful discussions".

"Our future generations depend on it," he said.

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National Indigenous Times

Disclaimer: This function is AI-generated and therefore may mispronounce.