Victorian Dja Dja Wurrung Begin State's First Local Treaty Negotiations

The Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation (DJAARA) has become the first traditional owner group in Victoria to formally begin negotiations for a local treaty with the state government, marking a historic first in Australia. DJAARA's goals for the treaty include gaining greater authority over land management, influencing legislation, and creating economic opportunities, with a focus on self-determination and addressing historical exclusion. The corporation has registered with the independent Treaty Authority, which will oversee and prepare the group for negotiations, involving consultations with their community to shape treaty priorities. This local treaty process runs alongside broader statewide treaty discussions being led by the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria, aiming to enhance Indigenous cultural recognition and governance. DJAARA's leadership emphasized that the treaty would empower their people to manage their Country and resources effectively, integrating traditional knowledge with contemporary practices. The treaty initiative is seen as a crucial step toward redressing past injustices and fostering a new relationship between First Nations peoples and the Victorian government.