By Oliver Lees
Proud Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung man Uncle Andrew Gardiner has received a new role within the First Peoples Assembly of Victoria, which is working to establish a treaty between the state government and Aboriginal Victorians.
Uncle Andrew has been appointed as the interim Elders’ Voice co-chair.
In this three month role, Uncle Andrew will hold community consultation sessions with Elders across the state to establish a permanent Elders Voice, with the objective of ensuring the treaty process is grounded in Aboriginal perspective.
Uncle Andrew said these consultations will be run with the themes of respect, connectedness, knowledge base and lore of the land.
“Our permanent Elders’ Voice is something our community has been calling for since the beginning of the treaty process. It has always been a priority of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria,” he said.
“Today marks an historic day for Victoria’s path to treaty and I am proud to stand alongside Aunty Charmaine [Clarke] and help drive this important discussion.”
The Aboriginal Treaty Working Group was established by the state government in 2016 to consult with Aboriginal Victorians.
The aim of the treaty process is to recognise and celebrate the unique status, rights and history of Aboriginal people.
