Submissions Library

Katherine Clarke is a Wotjobaluk woman from the Wimmera who works in the arts. She is concerned about exploitation of First Peoples art by the commercial world, with no understanding or respect for the storytelling and culture that gives First Nations art its meaning. She also talks about the undervaluing of First Nations artists and their work and makes suggestions for addressing it, which would help self-determination.

Lionel Lauch is a Gunditjmara Kirrae Wurrung-Bundjalung man. He is the co-founder of Living Culture, which teaches people to see through an Indigenous perspective in the Mornington Peninsula area, including bush tucker, medicine, dancing, art and cooking. Lionel’s family experienced intergenerational trauma through the Stolen Generations. Growing up in out-of-home care he experienced racism, violence and abuse. He has also faced racism in the health system throughout his life, which has affected his health. He has learned to let go of the anger and despair he felt growing up and feels immense pride in culture as an Aboriginal man.

Uncle Henry Atkinson is a Wolithiga man. Born in Echuca, his father was born in 1891 and his mother around 1928. Uncle Henry describes the conditions at missions, including the Black Plague, stolen wages and the walk-off at Cummeragunja mission, when people were treated so badly they left and walked as far as Mathoura, Deniliquin, Echuca, Moama and Mooroopna. He describes children later being taken away from their parents, never to see each other again. He remembers segregated classrooms and Aboriginal children not being allowed to play sport or speak language. Uncle Henry also describes his battles to return ancestral remains, the need for housing and the importance of looking after younger generations coming through. Over his life Uncle Henry has gone on to be a champion fireman, General Manager at General Electrics and a Monash University Professor, starting Aboriginal studies courses.

Victoria a proud Aboriginal woman, describes facing racism and discrimination throughout her life, which has impacted her in education, sport, everyday life and personal relationships. She advocates for wealth distribution. She also highlights systemic issues, including colonialism and white supremacy, and shares her struggles with CPTSD, financial difficulties, and the need for societal change.

Julie Peters, discusses the distress they feel about the relationship between First Nations and colonising people, highlighting the entrenched disadvantage, poor health, poverty and lack of opportunties suffered by First Nations people. They outline their family history and emphasise the importance of truth-telling, treaties, and eliminating discrimination for First Nations people to have genuine agency.

Anonymous 1395, with eight years of experience in government procurement, advocates for direct Aboriginal business engagement. They highlight the lack of support and resources for direct engagement and the need for the Victorian Public Sector to prioritise social procurement, establish targets, and review state purchase contracts to reduce barriers.

Paul Kirby discusses the difficulties for young people coming out of custody. He emphasises the need for basic education and practical skills, structure, and highlights the importance of people to get back to Country. He calls culturally safe education spaces and employment opportunities for Aboriginal people.

This submission concerns Aboriginal Economic Development (AED) within the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions (DJSIR) formerly know as the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions. It outlines how the recruitment process for the Treaty Director and other roles is not being conducted ethically.

This submission discusses moving from their ancestral country seeking acceptance but facing racism. Despite efforts to assimilate, they endured discrimination from people who hated their existence. They now work at a university, fighting to have people handling big projects achieve their social procurement targets. They advocate for investigating social procurement numbers provided by universities.