Shades of Grey: Community Perspectives on Native Title in Victoria
Native title is neither black or white. It could be best described as being shades of grey. For many, native title and its implications are still not fully understood. For Aboriginal communities it is seen as another hurdle in the struggle for land justice.
Since Museum Victoria's seminar on Native Title Claims In Victoria held last year, there have been significant developments affecting native title. A key development in Victoria has been the rejection of the Yorta Yorta native title claim.
Depending on where you stand, the native title debate offers many options for discussion. This forum presented perspectives from communities in Victoria that are living the native title experience.
- Why was the Yorta Yorta claim rejected?
- What changes have been made to native title laws and procedures?
- What does the future hold for prospective native title holders in Victoria?
Speakers
Rodney Carter
Rodney has worked for Museum Victoria for the last five years, initially as a Koori Programs Officer and then Coordinator Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Unit. Rodney is also involved in many Aboriginal community organisations. Some of these are: North West Nations Clans Aboriginal Corporation, Worawa Aboriginal College, Victorian Corporation for Aboriginal Languages, North West Region Cultural Heritage Program, National Aboriginal and Islander Observance Day Committee (Vic) and the Victorian Indigenous Working Group.
Graham Atkinson
Graham is a member of the Victorian Aboriginal community and a clan member of the Yorta Yorta and Dja Dja Wurrung clans. After finishing his social work degree in 1977 he worked as a community advisor for the Department of Aboriginal Affairs, covering the Melbourne metropolitan Koori service network. He is currently Chairperson of the recently formed local Darebin task force committee, Koori Employment Services Network, established to address indigenous unemployment in the Darebin Council area. Graham is the owner and Director of Yuruga Enterprises, a company that has just undertaken major work for communities in the North West region of Victoria to support their native title work. Graham will speak about some current native title registration applications.
Wayne Atkinson
Wayne is a descendent of the Yorta Yorta and Dja Dja Wurrung people from the Loddon region. He will talk about his experiences in preparing and lodging the Yorta Yorta land claim which he has worked on for the last twenty years. He was one of the principal claimants for the Yorta Yorta claim in 1985. Wayne can expand further on these issues now that Yorta Yorta have had native title determination and are appealing the decision.
Geoff Clark
Geoff is the ATSIC Commissioner for Victoria, holding the ATSIC portfolio Native Title and Chairperson Victorian Indigenous Working Group (VWIG). Geoff is from the Tjapwuurong clan in Western Victoria. He lives in the Framlingham Aboriginal Community near Warrnambool. Geoff has been involved in Aboriginal Affairs for over 20 years in a variety of local, state, national and international forums. Geoff will speak about his role as Chairperson VIWG and his ATSIC portfolio, Native Title.