Levi Power, a proud Yorta Yorta man and member of the First Peoples’ Assembly representing the North East region, stepped outside Victoria’s Parliament House to discuss a moment soon to be penned into our nation’s history.
It’s Thursday, October 30, and tonight there will be a vote to pass the Statewide Treaty Bill in the upper house.
And it did pass, making Victoria the first state in Australia to formally establish a Treaty between First Peoples and the government.
“This is no longer just a dream, an aspiration, and something we’ve been talking about, it’s now a genuine reality, and we’ll be moving quickly into the Treaty era,” Mr Power said.
For those who do not identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, “the Treaty era” may sound abstract or unfamiliar.
In simple terms, it’s an agreement that recognises Aboriginal people as the First Peoples of this land and ensures they have a real voice in decisions affecting their communities.
It’s about resetting the relationship between First Peoples and the state, acknowledging past injustices and creating a fairer future through shared decision-making.
Under the new legislation, the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria — a democratically elected body representing Aboriginal communities — will become permanent.
It will hold the government accountable on policies impacting First Peoples, continue the state’s truth-telling and healing process, and lead work on practical solutions in areas such as health, education and housing.
“Governments have made decisions about our communities and have failed for far too long, and we see that disadvantage and the continual negative impacts that that’s had on our communities,” Mr Power said.
“Putting power back in the hands of our communities, we can determine our own futures.”
This moment is equal parts activism and emotion.
Anchored in Yorta Yorta history, Mr Power recognised the ancestors, Elders and community members who had fought hard for many issues in Aboriginal affairs leading to Treaty — from being counted as citizens to demanding basic human rights.
Now, with the official signing of Treaty for Victoria set to take place on Thursday, November 13, the pulse of Yorta Yorta beats stronger than ever.
“As someone who was born and bred in Shepparton, it’s absolutely a moment of pride to be able to represent my community in this work,” Mr Power said.
“(Treaty) fills me with optimism for the future, for my daughter’s future, and for generations to come.
“The weight of this moment is certainly not lost on me.”
Mr Power wished to thank the community for their support throughout this long journey of consultation and conversation with the assembly, which he said had made it all worthwhile.
For more information about Treaty for Victoria and to read the full document, visit firstpeoplesvic.org/treaty
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