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Welcome to the Federation of Victorian Traditional Owner Corporations

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

About Us

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.

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Community

Community wellbeing means strong culture, people and place.

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

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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 economic development considered as more than just small business grants.

 

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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.

We support the progress of agreement-making and participation in decision-making to enhance the authority of Traditional Owner Corporations on behalf of their communities.

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Resources

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Elections for Assembly 3.0 are happening very soon! 📣

And Victorian Traditional Owners can vote, even if you’re living interstate.

First Peoples Assembly of Victoria’s third iteration will be the elected representative arm of Treaty body Gellung Warl.

Candidates can nominate from 16 February to 2 March, with voting running from 21 March to 21 April – and Gellung Warl getting underway from 1 May 2026.

Enrol, check your eligibility, and update your details 👉🏾 bit.ly/4a0Mp4o

See all important election dates 👉🏾 bit.ly/3ZLzuP5

Elections for Assembly 3.0 are happening very soon! 📣

And Victorian Traditional Owners can vote, even if you’re living interstate.

First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria’s third iteration will be the elected representative arm of Treaty body Gellung Warl.

Candidates can nominate from 16 February to 2 March, with voting running from 21 March to 21 April – and Gellung Warl getting underway from 1 May 2026.

Enrol, check your eligibility, and update your details 👉🏾 bit.ly/4a0Mp4o

See all important election dates 👉🏾 bit.ly/3ZLzuP5
... See MoreSee Less

Weve rescheduled this workshop and the invites in TOCs inboxes!

Were thrilled to be convening a cultural heritage policy discussion with Traditional Owner Corporations and the Victorian Government over 10-11 February in Naarm.

The Department of Premier and Cabinets First Peoples - State Relations team approached us during their recent review of Victorias Aboriginal cultural heritage management system to convene a workshop for Traditional Owner Corporations: an opportunity for frank feedback and discussion about their proposed new guidelines.

We were happy to help make it happen. 

The invitation hit Traditional Owner Corporation CEOs inboxes this morning (give us a message if yours didnt arrive!), and were looking forward to two days of workshop:

📍 Novotel Melbourne Preston, VIC 3072
📅 Tuesday 10 and Wednesday 11 February 2026
🤝🏽 For frank feedback and discussion on proposed new cultural heritage management guidelines

Well see you there.

We've rescheduled this workshop and the invite's in TOCs' inboxes!

We're thrilled to be convening a cultural heritage policy discussion with Traditional Owner Corporations and the Victorian Government over 10-11 February in Naarm.

The Department of Premier and Cabinet's First Peoples - State Relations team approached us during their recent review of Victoria's Aboriginal cultural heritage management system to convene a workshop for Traditional Owner Corporations: an opportunity for frank feedback and discussion about their proposed new guidelines.

We were happy to help make it happen.

The invitation hit Traditional Owner Corporation CEOs' inboxes this morning (give us a message if yours didn't arrive!), and we're looking forward to two days of workshop:

📍 Novotel Melbourne Preston, VIC 3072
📅 Tuesday 10 and Wednesday 11 February 2026
🤝🏽 For frank feedback and discussion on proposed new cultural heritage management guidelines

We'll see you there.
... See MoreSee Less

🌱 Conserving wetlands, protecting culture ✊🏾

Victorian Traditional Owner groups are continuing their unbroken ancestral practice of caring for and managing wetlands – and with it, revitalising culture. Heres just a handful of examples of where thats happening.

Kingfisher, Tang Tang Swamp – Dja Dja Wurrung Djandak. Photo: Mark Antos / Parks Victoria

Rangers, Bolin Bolin Billabong – Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung Biik. Photo: Wurundjeri Narrap Rangers

Eel trap, Budj Bim cultural landscape – Gunditj Mirring. Photo: Visit Southern Grampians

Egret, Barmah National Park – Yorta Yorta Woka (Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation). Photo: Dharnya Centre  

Turtle habitat, Horseshoe Lagoon – Taungurung Biik. Photo: Taungurung Land & Waters Council

🌱 Conserving wetlands, protecting culture ✊🏾

Victorian Traditional Owner groups are continuing their unbroken ancestral practice of caring for and managing wetlands – and with it, revitalising culture. Here's just a handful of examples of where that's happening.

Kingfisher, Tang Tang Swamp – Dja Dja Wurrung Djandak. Photo: Mark Antos / Parks Victoria

Rangers, Bolin Bolin Billabong – Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung Biik. Photo: Wurundjeri Narrap Rangers

Eel trap, Budj Bim cultural landscape – Gunditj Mirring. Photo: Visit Southern Grampians

Egret, Barmah National Park – Yorta Yorta Woka (Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation). Photo: Dharnya Centre

Turtle habitat, Horseshoe Lagoon – Taungurung Biik. Photo: Taungurung Land & Waters Council
... See MoreSee Less

Wetlands are home to culture, habitat and biodiversity, but Victorias arent in good shape. 

And that threatens Traditional Owners sacred knowledge, science and culture. 

But a Traditional Owner-led cultural landscapes approach could protect these precious ecosystems, keep people safe from fire and flood, and play an important role in revitalising and promoting culture.

Just like it was in the old times.

Wetlands are home to culture, habitat and biodiversity, but Victoria's aren't in good shape.

And that threatens Traditional Owners' sacred knowledge, science and culture.

But a Traditional Owner-led cultural landscapes approach could protect these precious ecosystems, keep people safe from fire and flood, and play an important role in revitalising and promoting culture.

Just like it was in the old times.
... See MoreSee Less

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