Yorta Yorta Traditional Owners from Victoria’s north-east have elected respected community leader Graham Briggs as their inaugural representative to the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria.
The assembly is the statewide body of Traditional Owners that negotiated Australia’s first Treaty between First Peoples and government.
Mr Briggs, from Shepparton, was formally admitted as the Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation’s Reserved Seat holder late last week — the first time the corporation has sent a representative to fill the seat.
With more than 25 years’ experience working across government and the justice and community-controlled sectors, Mr Briggs said the role was both an honour and a responsibility.
“This seat is the voice of our Elders, our families, our young ones, and all those who fought for our rights long before today,” he said.
“To finally sit at the table, to have our own place in discussions that shape our future, is something our ancestors have been pushing us toward for generations.
“We must speak for ourselves, as no-one else can speak on our behalf.”
Assembly co-chair and proud Yorta Yorta, Wamba Wamba, Dhudhuroa and Dja Dja Wurrung woman Ngarra Murray welcomed the appointment, noting that it came at a pivotal time for the assembly.
“The assembly is hard at work preparing for Australia’s first Treaty to commence,” she said.
“I’m excited that Graham will be joining us as the Yorta Yorta reserved seat representative and as a powerful voice in this new Treaty era.”
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