The Victorian Treaty Advancement Commission is supporting Aboriginal people in the state’s correctional centres to be part of Victoria’s treaties process.
Starting today, the Commission team will hold 15 visits to correctional centres across the state.
The discussions will help ensure that every Aboriginal person in Victoria can be part of the treaties process, including an Aboriginal election later in 2019.
“Treaty is deeply significant for our people,” said Treaty Advancement Commissioner, Jill Gallagher AO.
“It’s about recognising the wrongs of the past and setting up a better future for all of us.”
“We know it’s so important that everyone has the chance to have their say. That includes our mob in correctional centres, and that’s why we’re having the conversations.”
“I’ll speak with people face to face, and talk about how they can be supported to participate in both the election and the process,” she said.
In 2019, an Aboriginal election will be held to take the treaties process into a new phase.
Aboriginal people in Victoria aged 16 or over – including those in correctional facilities – will elect Victorian traditional owners to make up the Aboriginal Representative Body.