The establishment of a Treaty between the ACT Government and the Ngunnawal people has taken a step forward with the release of a report outlining key elements to the Treaty process.
Responding to Karabena Consulting’s report Implementation Pathways to Achieve Ngunnawal, First Nations Peoples and Australian Capital Territory Government Treaties, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, Rachel Stephen-Smith acknowledged that the consulting process did not engage with Traditional Owners as broadly as intended.
“I apologise for the hurt that this has caused,” Ms Stephen-Smith said.
“Over the last few weeks, I have had conversations with a range of community members, including Traditional Owners, who have expressed concern that the ACT Government was rushing into a Treaty process without facilitating the healing and deep conversations that will be required,” she said.
“I want to assure all ACT Traditional Owner families and the wider Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community that the Government has made no decisions or commitments to any individual or family group about what Treaty will look like or how we will get there.”
Ms Stephen-Smith said the Report was one of many contributions that would help Government understand what a Treaty could mean for Traditional Owners and other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Canberrans.
“We will consider its recommendations alongside the significant feedback we have already received from the community,” she said.
In its Report, the consultant proposed three key elements to the Treaty process, including reparation to compensate the Ngunnawal Traditional Owners in the ACT region, and to establish a Ngunnawal Future Fund for Traditional Owners to resource their family aspirations.
It said other key elements were participation to initiate Truth Telling and other Treaty related programs for the wider Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and representation, to install a Voice to Parliament.
“Ngunnawal people want to be recognised as the hosts of other First Nations people on their lands,” the consultant said.
“Thus, we have included additional considerations for a reimagining of the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body (ATSIEB).”
The ACT Government staff who worked alongside the consultant for the project were thanked for ensuring it ran smoothly and held aspirations for the Treaty.
“Thank you for your support and encouragement during this project: we would not have achieved as much as we have without you,” the consultant said.
The 14-page Report can be accessed at this PS News link.
