By KATE AUTY ON Sunday, October 27, the Shepparton Reconciliation Group brought 90 people together at the Winton Wetlands Education and Culture Hub to discuss the Treaty process in Victoria. Non-Aboriginal people came from Shepparton, Wangaratta, Seymour, Beechworth, Euroa and Wodonga. Diedre Robertson presented on behalf of the Shepparton Reconciliation Group and others spoke about the importance of this Treaty discussion to the whole community and of the need to build alliances for change. Senior members of the Yorta Yorta community, Graham Briggs and Nikki James, provided a welcome to Yorta Yorta country and a smoking ceremony. Rebecca Welsh acted as the MC for the event. The aim of the day was for Treaty Authority members to brief the non-Aboriginal community about Treaty and, across the day, they responded to questions about the process, the timeline, and the potential outcomes. The forum was a familiarisation process. Key issues discussed included government guidelines, First Nations aspirations and the linkages to self determination for Aboriginal people. A rights-based response to contemporary and historical issues was also in the mix. The point was made that Treaty would have a positive impact on the whole community, but that it would specifically promote better economic, health and social outcomes for First Nations people. Elected Yorta Yorta representative and Member of the First People’s Assembly for Victoria, Levi Power, conducted a question-and-answer session. Community members were taken through a session about culture by Graham Briggs and given a cultural tour of the wetlands by Nikki James. To conclude the day’s discussions, a Treaty Ally Workshop was managed by Diedre Robertson from the Shepparton Reconciliation Group. Those who attended went away better informed and committed to action.
