The strength of local aboriginal culture was proudly demonstrated at a ceremony at Framlingham Aboriginal Reserve on Friday to mark the start of negotiations over rights to Crown land.
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Aboriginal dancers, a welcome to country and a smoking ceremony all featured in the landmark event to mark the start of negotiations between the state government and the Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation (EMAC) that represents traditional owners in the area from Port Fairy to the Grampians and east to Anglesea.
EMAC chair Jason Mifsud handed a message stick to state Attorney-General Martin Pakula as part of the ceremony that was attended by scores of people from the local indigenous community and representatives of south-west councils.
The negotiations follow on from the state government’s adoption of the Traditional Owner Settlement Act 2010 that provides for an out-of-court settlement of native title.
Mr Mifsud said the act aimed to deliver to traditional owners what native title had not. The Eastern Maar people will seek ownership of Crown land currently managed by the state that had economic or cultural value to traditional owners, the right to generate economic benefits from the land and a payment that recognised past injustices.
In return for entering into a settlement, traditional owners agree to withdraw any native title claim.
John Clarke said the settlements were an opportunity to “change the narrative” about indigenous people in modern times.