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Welcome to the Federation of Victorian Traditional Owner Corporations

We’re the state-wide body fighting for the rights and interests of Victorian Traditional Owner Corporations while progressing wider social, economic, environmental and cultural objectives.

About

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land we work on as the First Peoples of this Country.

Country

Healthy Country means healthy communities. Our work recognises Traditional Owners’ rights and responsibilities to care and make decisions for Country.

Traditional Owner groups have knowledge, rights and responsibilities, stemming from 65,000 years of experience on Country. The Federation works in the following areas to embed Traditional Owner voices in management of Country.

View our work for Country

Community

Community wellbeing means strong culture, people and place.

The Federation’s work recognises Traditional Owner Corporations as authoritative and representative decision-makers with rights and power. Our advocacy and services support Traditional Owners to get on with the business of caring for Country, culture and community.

View our work for community

Economy

Strong and independent economies sustain Traditional Owner communities and enable self-determination.

The Federation’s research, grant administration, knowledge-sharing and advocacy promote rights-based economic development for Traditional Owner Corporations.

View our work for economy

Impact

The Federation’s advocacy shapes the landscape in which Victorian Traditional Owner Corporations do their important work.

We have put cultural fire and cultural water on the agenda for government, sought greater protections for Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property, fought for a fair place in the expanding native foods and botanicals industry, championed treaty and self-determination, supported a drastic reconsideration of how our cultural heritage is approached at both state and national levels, and worked to have Traditional Owners’ economic development considered as more than just small business grants.

See our impact

About

The Federation is the Victorian state-wide body that convenes and advocates for the rights and interests of Traditional Owner groups while progressing wider social, economic, environmental and cultural objectives.

Founded in 2013 by Traditional Owner Corporations who recognised they could be stronger together, we are by and for Traditional Owners: their advocacy body, helping to enhance their authority on behalf of their communities.

Our strategy

Resources

Discussion papers
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Information sheets
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Publications
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Were buzzing.

Weve just wrapped up two full days of incredible conversation, learning and strategising with Victorian Traditional Owners on the opportunity of Traditional Owner Treaty.

35 people representing their Traditional Owner Corporations. Seven guest speakers, from Aotearoa, Canada, Western Australia, the Northern Territory, and here at home. 18 sessions spanning challenges, tactics, hopes for the future, how to collaborate, and where to from here. Two fantastic co-convenors (a huge thank you to First Nations Legal & Research Services and The Mabo Centre!). And four very happy Federation team members. 

Thank you to everyone who helped make the Traditional Owner Treaty Forum such an incredible and purposeful experience. It was a pleasure and an honour spending time with you.

We're buzzing.

We've just wrapped up two full days of incredible conversation, learning and strategising with Victorian Traditional Owners on the opportunity of Traditional Owner Treaty.

35 people representing their Traditional Owner Corporations. Seven guest speakers, from Aotearoa, Canada, Western Australia, the Northern Territory, and here at home. 18 sessions spanning challenges, tactics, hopes for the future, how to collaborate, and where to from here. Two fantastic co-convenors (a huge thank you to First Nations Legal & Research Services and The Mabo Centre!). And four very happy Federation team members.

Thank you to everyone who helped make the Traditional Owner Treaty Forum such an incredible and purposeful experience. It was a pleasure and an honour spending time with you.
... See MoreSee Less

There’s a month and a day til the new Treaty body stands up – and we’re answering your questions.

There’s a month and a day til the new Treaty body stands up – and we’re answering your questions. ... See MoreSee Less

On 19 November 1834, an English sheep farmer named Edward Henty floated ashore to the place now known as Portland.

He claimed the land for the British, and – alongside his brother Thomas and their settler shipmates – commenced a decades-long attempt at exterminating the 56 clans of the Gunditjmara people.

Their attempt was vicious, and it was unsuccessful. 

On 30 March 2007, the Federal Court handed down a native title determination to the descendants of those fighting Gunditjmara, acknowledging their enduring and unbroken connection to their County and culture, despite the Hentys best efforts.

Today, we acknowledge 19 years of the formal recognition of Gunditjmara native title rights, the decades-long work of Ancestors, Elders, and community members to see their rights recognised, and the undeniable truth of tens of thousands of years of continuing, vibrant Gunditjmara culture.

On 19 November 1834, an English sheep farmer named Edward Henty floated ashore to the place now known as Portland.

He claimed the land for the British, and – alongside his brother Thomas and their settler shipmates – commenced a decades-long attempt at exterminating the 56 clans of the Gunditjmara people.

Their attempt was vicious, and it was unsuccessful.

On 30 March 2007, the Federal Court handed down a native title determination to the descendants of those fighting Gunditjmara, acknowledging their enduring and unbroken connection to their County and culture, despite the Hentys' best efforts.

Today, we acknowledge 19 years of the formal recognition of Gunditjmara native title rights, the decades-long work of Ancestors, Elders, and community members to see their rights recognised, and the undeniable truth of tens of thousands of years of continuing, vibrant Gunditjmara culture.
... See MoreSee Less

The decades-long struggles of two Traditional Owner groups to have their enduring connection to Country formally recognised saw significant steps three and 13 years ago today.

28 March is the anniversary of the Eastern Maar native title determination, and also the anniversary of the signing of Victorias first agreement under the Traditional Owner Settlement Act, made by Dja Dja Wurrung peoples.

Were humbled by the strength and resilience of both of these communities, and proud to work alongside their representative organisations – Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation and DJAARA – in their ongoing work to heal and lead Country.

The decades-long struggles of two Traditional Owner groups to have their enduring connection to Country formally recognised saw significant steps three and 13 years ago today.

28 March is the anniversary of the Eastern Maar native title determination, and also the anniversary of the signing of Victoria's first agreement under the Traditional Owner Settlement Act, made by Dja Dja Wurrung peoples.

We're humbled by the strength and resilience of both of these communities, and proud to work alongside their representative organisations – Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation and DJAARA – in their ongoing work to heal and lead Country.
... See MoreSee Less

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