In a meeting held in Shepparton on August 31, Yorta Yorta community members, including the Yorta Yorta Council of Elders, voted to accept the Yorta Yorta Reserved Seat on the assembly.
Existing First Peoples’ Assembly Members were present for meeting support and to answer questions.
The assembly is currently negotiating at the state level, and has reached an in-principle agreement on Australia’s first Treaty with the Victorian Government, which introduced the Statewide Treaty Bill to Victorian Parliament on September 9.
Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation chair, nephew of Pastor Sir Douglas Nicholls and descendant of Yorta Yorta ancestors Mariah and Kitty Atkinson-Cooper, Robert Nicholls, welcomed the decision.
“The successful applicant for the Yorta Yorta Reserved Seat will be responsible for representing all Yorta Yorta people on Treaty matters,” Mr Nicholls said.
“They will be accountable to, and report regularly to, the members and board of directors of the corporation, the Elders Council and our wider community.
“This is about leadership, accountability and carrying forward our collective vision.”
Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation chief executive John Patrick Kerr said the decision also reflected the strength and resilience of the Yorta Yorta people.
“Attempts throughout history to silence or diminish our voice have never succeeded,” Mr Kerr said.
“Far from being washed away, we have endured, adapted and grown stronger. Each challenge has only sharpened our determination to keep the struggle alive and to ensure our story is heard loud and clear.”
An upcoming expression of interest process will be followed by an election to determine the Yorta Yorta representative for the seat.
Tuesday’s milestone agreement between the government and the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria comes after a decade-long process.
The Statewide Treaty Bill proposes to make the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria permanent and expand its responsibilities to deliver better outcomes for First Peoples in Victoria.
Subject to the passage of the bill through parliament, the negotiated Treaty Agreement will be signed by both parties.
The bill proposes the expanded assembly:
- Be led by democratically elected members providing representation of First Peoples
- Make decisions and rules about specific matters that directly impact First Peoples
- Form an independent accountability mechanism as required by the National Agreement to Close the Gap
- Be consulted by government departments on laws and policies affecting First Peoples
- Lead ongoing truth-telling and healing across Victorian towns and regions, including capturing stories and retaining an archive of this information to support education of the broader public
- Make certain statutory appointments for existing designated First Peoples’ seats such as First Peoples appointments to the Heritage Council of Victoria
- Lead the Aboriginal Community Infrastructure Fund, Victorian Aboriginal Honour Roll and NAIDOC Week
- Develop a First Peoples’ Institute to enhance leadership capability across the sector
