Federation of Victorian Traditional Owner Corps

We’re grateful for another big year of work clearing the way to realising Victorian Traditional Owner groups’ rights and interests, and will be straight back into it on the other side of Christmas. Happy holidays!

A win for the Yorta Yorta Nation: four years of disgusting, racist bullying that undermined Traditional Owners' rights to manage Country has been ruled unlawful. abc.net.au/news/2024-12-0…

These are ideas we’ve been percolating on for a while, and it’s heartening to see members of parliament on the same page. Momentum is building and the message is clear: the rights of Traditional Owners must be front and centre as ICIP industries bloom.

JSCATSIA told government to ratify the Nagoya Protocol + WIPO Treaty; strengthen regulatory options for protecting, certifying + promoting Indigenous products; build an Indigenous knowledge database for access and benefit-sharing; and establish a bushfoods peak body.

With serendipitous timing, the conference opened on the same day a new parliamentary report into Indigenous economic opportunities made five specific recommendations calling for ICIP’s greater protection and promotion. (@JanaStewartVIC)

We spent two days discussing how to grow and sustain commercial native plant industries in a way that respects cultural protocols, protects traditional knowledge, and ensures Traditional Owner groups are at the centre of rapidly growing commercialisation.

Thank you to everyone who attended First Nations’ Knowledge and Economy! It was fantastic to bring together so many people who work with and care about Indigenous cultural and intellectual property (ICIP, if you prefer).

It's an honour to be on Wadawurrung Country today for First Nations' Knowledge & Economy – our conference about Indigenous cultural and intellectual property rights. Read more about our work supporting Traditional Owners groups to assert their rights: fvtoc.com.au/.../native-foo…

Stronger support to engage in renewable energy development, increased core funding for Traditional Owner groups, and better recognition and resourcing for ICIP rights are among the recommendations we welcome in our media release: bit.ly/4i5VcW8

The report finds, broadly, that First Nations businesses and people punch above their weight in their economic contribution, but face systemic barriers in raising capital – which locks mob out of the independent economic base we see as critical to achieving self-determination.

A new report tabled in parliament today puts Aboriginal economic rights front and centre. ✊🏾 We’re pleased to see 22 recommendations from the JSCATSIA’s economic prosperity report that hear the voices of Traditional Owners and suggest game-changing reform. 🧵

@sunniewithrain @firstpeoplesvic Gotcha! Have a look, it's incredible – a real moment in history. Here's our media release, as a starting point: fvtoc.com.au/documents/trad…

@FVTOC @firstpeoplesvic My huh was because I had no idea about any of this.

We watched history being made today as Treaty negotiations ceremonially – officially – commenced. As @firstpeoplesvic co-chair Reuben Berg said in his remarks, Treaty is no longer an idea for the future: Treaty is happening now. ✊🏾

@sunniewithrain @firstpeoplesvic Hi Sunnie, what's your question, sorry? If it's about Reuben's statement – he means, with negotiations starting, Treaty in Victoria is now a reality, not an abstract idea.

@FVTOC @firstpeoplesvic Huh?

Treaty negotiations open on Thursday 21 November 2024. It's a history-making moment that can restore respect between Aboriginal people and the state of Victoria. We'll be there alongside @firstpeoplesvic.

New research into the Black Summer bushfires recommends using Traditional Owners' cultural fire expertise and knowledge to reduce the severity of bushfires’ impact on biodiversity. bit.ly/40LEwgb

Finding out how the Victorian Government consulted with Traditional Owner groups over its decision to allow dingo killing is an important step towards restoring Traditional Owner group to their rightful place as decision-makers for culturally significant species.

Many Victorians feel a deep sense of connection to and care for Dyurrite. Strong emotions make sense. What we must not lose sight of: this landscape exists today, in its stunning beauty and teeming life, due to thousands of years of care and management by Traditional Owners.

“What we're achieving now is realising the goals of our Elders in the past.” abc.net.au/news/2024-11-0…

The disappointing, disrespectful and divisive decision to end Queensland’s truth-telling inquiry highlights the importance of a federal Makarrata Commission, and the Federal Government must step up. LEARN MORE | bit.ly/3Y9cYOY