First Peoples' Assembly Of Victoria Ltd

The Assembly is the voice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Victoria in the Treaty process. In 20232024, one of the Assembly s key priorities was preparing for Statewide Treaty negotiations, which are planned to commence in November 2024. This involved extensive consultation with First Peoples on their views and aspirations for Statewide Treaty, including: · a Statewide Treaty Gathering held on Wadawurrung Country in Geelong, which was open to all First Peoples in Victoria and included presentations from Assembly members and guest experts and small group discussions on Statewide Treaty · Regional Treaty Gatherings held in the Assembly s five voting regions, enabling First Peoples across Victoria to provide input on Treaty proposals · Elders and youth gatherings, in the last year, a standing group of 20 Aboriginal Elders was established to provide cultural guidance and wisdom to the Assembly. In June 2024, the Assembly notified the Treaty Authority (the body established to oversee Treaty negotiations) that it seeks to be the First Peoples Representative Body, the body that represents First Peoples in Statewide Treaty negotiations and that meets the requirements to do so in the Treaty Negotiation Framework (the rule book for Treaty negotiations). The Assembly has continued its role as the Aboriginal Representative Body under the Advancing the Treaty Process with Aboriginal Victorians Act 2018 (Vic). This has included overseeing the SelfDetermination Fund, which in the past year has provided funding to Traditional Owners to prepare for Traditional Owner Treaty negotiations. The Assembly continued its work with the Yoorrook Justice Commission, the first formal truthtelling process in Victoria. The Assembly made submissions to Yoorrook on the topics of land justice, health, housing, education and economic life. Further, the Assembly undertook broader community engagement activities to promote the empowerment and selfdetermination of First Peoples. The Assembly held Treaty Day Out Ballarat , a oneday music festival featuring First Nations artists and Treaty Day In , a series of music performances at over 16 correctional facilities across Victoria. The Assembly encouraged First Peoples in Victoria to be engaged with the Assembly s work and join its electoral roll. In undertaking these activities, the Assembly has made significant progress in furthering its objects in its Constitution (cl 1.1). Throughout, the Assembly has upheld a high standard of corporate governance, complying with its Constitution and charities and corporations law requirements.