June 21st, 2025Treaty coming

Dja Dja Wurrung People of the Central Victoria area are the first Traditional Owner group to register intent to negotiate a Traditional Owner Treaty.
Under Victoria’s Treaty Negotiation Framework, Traditional Owner groups across the state can negotiate their own treaties, which will reflect the aspirations and priorities in their local areas.
DJAARA (the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation) acting on behalf of Dja Dja Wurrung People (Djaara) started that process with a formal notification to the Treaty Authority – the independent body established to oversee negotiations for a statewide Treaty and Traditional Owner treaties.
Dja Dja Wurrung Reserved Seat Holder at the Assembly and a director of the DJAARA Board, Djaran Murray-Jackson, said local treaties would provide a mechanism for Aboriginal communities to use local knowledge to come up with practical solutions at a local level.
“Local Treaty will be led by our mob and focus on the issues that are important here on Dja Dja Wurrung Country,” said Mr Murray-Jackson.
“Country, our connection to the land, is such an important part of who we are as Aboriginal people. So, there’s no doubt that initiatives around land and caring for Country, as articulated in our Dhelkunya Dja, Dja Dja Wurrung Country Plan, will be a focus for the negotiations.”
Rodney Carter, who is the Dja Dja Wurrung Group’s CEO, said communities thrived when local people could call the shots about local decisions and when there’s a sense of connection and understanding.
Words: Donna Kelly