This Discussion Paper has outlined some of the key issues – the strengths, weaknesses and opportunities – of the current state of Victoria’s Aboriginal Cultural Heritage. However, in reflecting on current issues and challenges, the Council wants to build a vision for the future of Cultural Heritage care, one that reflects the lived experiences of Aboriginal Victorians, and empowers them to practice and share their Cultures.
We would like to hear from Victoria’s Aboriginal Peoples and those working with them about the state of Aboriginal Cultural Heritage in Victoria.
Your thoughts and feedback will provide the basis of a benchmark for where we are where we can be in regard to protecting, managing and celebrating all Aboriginal Cultural Heritage in Victoria. Through thinking and talking about this Discussion Paper, you can help shape the pathway for current and future Traditional Owners to live their Culture through real and tangible ownership of their Country and management of Cultural Heritage.
Council is a body of Traditional Owners and we understand the sensitivities and hesitancies in providing feedback on a Discussion Paper such as this. We are not Government and we are not producing another document to sit on a shelf. We know what our mob think but we want to know what your mob think. Together, we can tell the world that these are the problems and the successes of how we manage Cultural Heritage in 2021 but that this is our vision of what our lived ownership of Culture and Country will be in 2026.
You can do this by responding to the questions above and throughout this ‘Taking Care of Culture’ Discussion Paper:
- via the website
- by attending a consultation meeting
- emailing your feedback to SOVACH@terrijanke.com.au
- phoning Laura Curtis or Anika Valenti at Terri Janke and Company (02) 9693 2577
While each section of this Discussion Paper asks one main question, we have included additional questions to prompt discussion. You do not need to answer all the questions if you do not want to!
Please submit your responses to the Discussion Paper by 30 April 2021.
A state-wide consultation will be conducted with key stakeholders and written submissions for the Report will be accepted to assist the critical analysis of the state of Victoria’s Aboriginal Cultural Heritage laws. The final Report on the State of Victoria’s Aboriginal Cultural Heritage 2016-2021 is intended to be finalised by the end of August 2021.
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