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News & Media

Amplifying Traditional Owner voices in the media, raising Traditional Owner concerns through advocacy and celebrating Traditional Owner vision through policy is at the core of our work.

We do this through publications, media and engagement.

Discussion Papers

The development of the Federation’s treaty Discussion Papers was funded by the Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC) to support Aboriginal Victorians with the transition to treaty.

The Federation released six papers, developed to align with the insights and questions posed during Traditional Owner treaty engagement meetings.

The discussion papers successfully stimulate ideas, discussion and debate about treaty and agreement making in Victoria.

View all Discussion Papers

Annual Reports

The Federation publishes its financial statements detailing the group’s financial performance and that of its subsidiary companies.

The accounts are prepared in accordance with Australian Accounting standards, and as a registered charity, the Federation is subject to regulation by the Australian Charities and Not for Profits Commission.

View all Annual Reports

Media Statements

Clean energy strategy investment respects Traditional Owners as partners and rights-holders (6 December 2024)

Traditional Owner groups welcome recommended reforms for economic self-determination (27 November 2024)

Law reform to power Indigenous economic development a welcome step towards self-determination (26 November 2024)

Traditional Owner groups welcome Treaty negotiations (21 November 2024)

Traditional Owners must be at the heart of managing culturally significant native species (25 September 2024)

Victorian Government must protect and respect native dingoes, say Traditional Owner groups (7 September 2024)

Federation celebrates Wamba Wemba Aboriginal Corporation’s formal recognition (13 August 2024)

Victorian Opposition must end racist blame and get the facts straight on cultural heritage (29 July 2024)

Victorian Traditional Owner groups ready for cultural management of Country through increased IPAs (12 July 2024)

Aboriginal dispossession must wind up with VicForests (30 June 2024)

Traditional Owner groups welcome dedicated education funding as a step towards self-determination (31 May 2024)

Stolen water wealth must be returned to Traditional Owners through Murray-Darling Basin buybacks (20 May 2024)

Governments must restore and respect Traditional Owners’ authority for Budget pledges to be meaningful (15 May 2024)

Historic Bakaru Wayaparrangu agreement will redress past injustice and enable Traditional Owners’ prosperity (14 May 2024)

Victorian Government ministers must follow Yoorrook Justice Commission testimony with action (2 May 2024)

Victorian Government doesn’t fully understand self-determination, Yoorrook Justice Commission hears (17 April 2024)

Victorian Government must commit to Aboriginal-owned water title for Murray-Darling Basin (12 April 2024)

Declaration of the Southern Ocean offshore wind area does not respect Traditional Owner rights and responsibilities for Sea Country (18 March 2024)

Aboriginal Culture and Healing Flood Recovery Grant Program (6 March 2024)

Governments must commit to the work of Closing the Gap (7 February 2024)

View all Media Statements

Strategic Plans

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.

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. Together, our joint purpose is to facilitate and amplify a strong voice for Traditional Owners and progress our shared interests.

View all Strategic Plans

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$300,000 cultural flows grants are now available for Murray-Darling Basin Nations – and we’re ready to help you apply.

The Federal Government’s two-year-long Cultural Flows Planning for Cultural Economies grants are available for Traditional Owner groups in the Murray-Darling Basin to develop cultural flows plans, enhance organisational governance structure, and develop business plans.

Applications are due on 15 October and the Federation is happy to support Victorian Traditional Owner groups’ applications. 

Contact us on info@fvtoc.com.au, or learn more about the grant program from firstnationswater@dcceew.gov.au. 

Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

$300,000 cultural flows grants are now available for Murray-Darling Basin Nations – and we’re ready to help you apply.

The Federal Government’s two-year-long Cultural Flows Planning for Cultural Economies grants are available for Traditional Owner groups in the Murray-Darling Basin to develop cultural flows plans, enhance organisational governance structure, and develop business plans.

Applications are due on 15 October and the Federation is happy to support Victorian Traditional Owner groups’ applications.

Contact us on [email protected], or learn more about the grant program from [email protected].

Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
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Aunty Joy Murphy has made a statement about the Melbourne Storms apology over its cancelled Welcome to Country in April.

“What we have learnt over the past month is that our culture, our ceremony, is not understood or respected and this makes us feel very sad. 

“Cultural practice cannot be used as a token gesture. Our ceremony and performance are a deep and enduring lore for our people who come from the oldest, continuous,  living culture in the World. Welcome to Country is intended to unite us all in a deep rich history of our country. 

“To ALL who sent messages of overwhelming support brought tears of happiness to us. Your actions taken by so many connected to the club speaks clearly and loudly of intolerance of racism and discrimination. Your powerful words expressed the immense hurt we endure and the deep regret of shame.”

The Federation stands with Aunty Joy, Djirri Djirri, Te Hononga o Nga Iwi and Nga Matai Purua in their opposition to the Storm Boards association with the divisive and racist Advance Australia group, and sends our deepest respect to Aunty Joy and the wider Wurundjeri community.

Aunty Joy Murphy has made a statement about the Melbourne Storm's apology over its cancelled Welcome to Country in April.

“What we have learnt over the past month is that our culture, our ceremony, is not understood or respected and this makes us feel very sad.

“Cultural practice cannot be used as a token gesture. Our ceremony and performance are a deep and enduring lore for our people who come from the oldest, continuous, living culture in the World. Welcome to Country is intended to unite us all in a deep rich history of our country.

“To ALL who sent messages of overwhelming support brought tears of happiness to us. Your actions taken by so many connected to the club speaks clearly and loudly of intolerance of racism and discrimination. Your powerful words expressed the immense hurt we endure and the deep regret of shame.”

The Federation stands with Aunty Joy, Djirri Djirri, Te Hononga o Nga Iwi and Nga Matai Purua in their opposition to the Storm Board's association with the divisive and racist Advance Australia group, and sends our deepest respect to Aunty Joy and the wider Wurundjeri community.
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The success of the Federal Government’s new approach to Aboriginal economic policy will be in its implementation, not rhetoric – and it must invest in Victorian Traditional Owner groups and take up their Economic Development Roadmap to see economic justice.

That’s what we said in our latest media release, which welcomes the Prime Minister’s Garma Festival announcement of $75 million for native title holders, $70 million for First Nations’ renewable energy projects, and $35 million for mobile TAFE in remote communities – and a promised new approach to partnership with First Nations communities.

Federation interim CEO Kaley Nicholson said nothing less than decision-making would be accepted – and it’s more than selecting mentorships for mob.

“We’re calling for an economic transformation that genuinely puts us as Traditional Owners back in control of our lives. Economic independence as outlined in the Roadmap will drive generational change for First Nations communities and help realise justice for our people.” 

Read the statement 👉🏾 bit.ly/3H5vofd

Download the Roadmap 👉🏾 bit.ly/3J0oCI2

The success of the Federal Government’s new approach to Aboriginal economic policy will be in its implementation, not rhetoric – and it must invest in Victorian Traditional Owner groups and take up their Economic Development Roadmap to see economic justice.

That’s what we said in our latest media release, which welcomes the Prime Minister’s Garma Festival announcement of $75 million for native title holders, $70 million for First Nations’ renewable energy projects, and $35 million for mobile TAFE in remote communities – and a promised new approach to partnership with First Nations communities.

Federation interim CEO Kaley Nicholson said nothing less than decision-making would be accepted – and it’s more than selecting mentorships for mob.

“We’re calling for an economic transformation that genuinely puts us as Traditional Owners back in control of our lives. Economic independence as outlined in the Roadmap will drive generational change for First Nations communities and help realise justice for our people.”

Read the statement 👉🏾 bit.ly/3H5vofd

Download the Roadmap 👉🏾 bit.ly/3J0oCI2
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