Skip to main content

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

Connect With Us on Social Media

FacebookInstagramTwitter
Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons
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

Load more