Alison Barrett writes:
More than 4,000 people attended Treaty Day Out Naarm last weekend on Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Country in Burnley to celebrate the final day of voting in the Victorian Treaty elections.
A celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, Treaty Day Out showcased a powerful way of engaging people in a political process.
Celebrating Indigenous culture
Treaty Day Out was a family-friendly event, perfectly timed at the end of National Reconciliation Week on Mabo Day.
Treaty Day Out artists
The Treaty Day Out lineup included Indigenous musicians and bands Alice Skye, Dan Sultan, Electric Fields, Jessica Mauboy, Madi Colville-Walker, Marlon X Rulla, Miss Kaninna, Nooky, Scott Darlow, Thelma Plum and Yothu Yindi.
The day ended with an energetic and powerful performance by Yothu Yindi.
Victorian Treaty negotiations
Voting for the next First People’s Assembly to represent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Treaty negotiations with the Victorian Government was open from 13 May to 3 June.
Approximately 200 people voted at Treaty Day Out Naarm, with counting of votes set to begin on 17 June, according to a spokesperson for the First People’s Assembly.
Results for the elections will be announced soon after – in the General Elections, 22 Assembly Members will be elected in total with three from each of the five regions other than the metropolitan region in which 10 will be elected.
An additional 11 seats on the Assembly are Reserved Seats for Traditional Owner Groups with specific recognition.
“Each Traditional Owner group is responsible for determining whether to take up their reserved seat and who their representative will be,” the Assembly said.
It is expected the new First People’s Assembly will have 32 Members overall.
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