Support for Treaty-making continues to build among First Nations people and the general population across Australia, according to new polling data released last week by Reconciliation Australia.
The 2022 Australian Reconciliation Barometer report, outlining social attitudes about reconciliation, race relations, equality and understanding of history, revealed that 86 per cent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and 72 per cent of the general community support the idea of a treaty between the government and First Peoples; almost a 20 per cent increase in general public support since the last report in 2020.
The co-chair of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria, Bangerang and Wiradjuri Elder, Aunty Geraldine Atkinson, said the findings reflected her experience on the ground in Victoria.
“Momentum for Treaty is growing every day,” Aunty Geraldine said.
“Our people know this is our chance to put Traditional Owners in the driver’s seat when it comes to the decisions that affect our communities, our culture and our Country, and non-Aboriginal people know it’s key if we want to build a better future together as equals.”
The First Peoples’ Assembly’s own research also suggests a 15 per cent increase in support for the Treaty amongst the general population in Victoria over the past four years while the Assembly developed a framework and process for Treaty-making in Victoria.
Assembly co-chair, Nira Illim Bulluk man of the Taungurung Nation, Marcus Stewart, said he wasn’t surprised support was growing so swiftly given Treaty was an increasingly tangible possibility.
“We’re making such good progress here in Victoria that people are getting a sense of what’s possible and better understanding the process,” Mr Stewart said.
“They can see that Treaty will deliver real improvements to the lives of our people.”
The report also highlights wide recognition of the importance of truth-telling and an eagerness amongst the general community to know more about First Nations culture.
“The time is ripe,” Mr Stewart said.
“People want to see Treaty happen because they want to see injustices addressed and the power imbalance fixed, they want to be on the right side of history, and they want to see the oldest living culture on the planet getting the respect it deserves.”
The Assembly will hold its elections in 2023, so First Nations communities in Victoria can choose who will represent them in negotiations with the Victorian Government over a state-wide Treaty.
Meanwhile, the various Traditional Owners of Country in Victoria will be able to access a newly established self determination fund to help them prepare for negotiations with the government for treaties specific to their area.
