Text Box 4.3: Report of the People for Country Project Committee: Indigenous agreement making The Right People for Country Project identifies the following core principles that are required for Indigenous agreement making in Victoria: Indigenous-led participatory approach The process for agreement making in the Right People for Country Project is which is consistent with the principles of self-determination and empowering community decision-making that are set out in the Declaration. This approach enables Traditional Owners to make their own decisions about group composition and extent of country. Education and engagement The Right People for Country Project identifies the need to build understanding and trust around the policies and processes of both Indigenous communities and governments. This includes relevant and timely education programs and communication strategies, including: information on legal issues policy context project parameters agreement making processes, such as roles and responsibilities of groups and potential outcomes. Involvement of Indigenous people in the management and delivery of native title services increase Indigenous engagement with the service. This involvement embeds Indigenous knowledge, expertise and perspectives within the service and reduces the perception of the service as an imposed process. Local advocates can promote Indigenous agreement making processes and disseminate information. Resources to support traditional owner participation and preparation Support is required for Traditional Owners to participate in agreement making. Indigenous agreement making is part of the broader process of settlement negotiations and may not be the only process a group is involved in. Currently, different resources are available according to what process the Traditional Owners are involved in. Alignment of processes and coordination of stakeholders will create more efficient use of resources. Preparation is essential to build relationships and understanding of issues. Facilitator agreed to by the parties In Indigenous agreement making, Traditional Owner groups must agree to the facilitators and may select a facilitator known to and respected by the parties. Traditional owners should also be supported to explore perceived bias or conflict of interest. Traditional Owners design process Traditional Owner groups express frustration that non-Indigenous information and systems are imposed. Participation of Traditional Owners in the design of agreement making processes must be settled prior to consideration of issues in a dispute.
Text Box 4.3: Report of the People for Country Project Committee: Indigenous agreement making The Right People for Country Project identifies the following core principles that are required for Indigenous agreement making in Victoria: Indigenous-led participatory approach The process for agreement making in the Right People for Country Project is which is consistent with the principles of self-determination and empowering community decision-making that are set out in the Declaration. This approach enables Traditional Owners to make their own decisions about group composition and extent of country. Education and engagement The Right People for Country Project identifies the need to build understanding and trust around the policies and processes of both Indigenous communities and governments. This includes relevant and timely education programs and communication strategies, including: information on legal issues policy context project parameters agreement making processes, such as roles and responsibilities of groups and potential outcomes. Involvement of Indigenous people in the management and delivery of native title services increase Indigenous engagement with the service. This involvement embeds Indigenous knowledge, expertise and perspectives within the service and reduces the perception of the service as an imposed process. Local advocates can promote Indigenous agreement making processes and disseminate information. Resources to support traditional owner participation and preparation Support is required for Traditional Owners to participate in agreement making. Indigenous agreement making is part of the broader process of settlement negotiations and may not be the only process a group is involved in. Currently, different resources are available according to what process the Traditional Owners are involved in. Alignment of processes and coordination of stakeholders will create more efficient use of resources. Preparation is essential to build relationships and understanding of issues. Facilitator agreed to by the parties In Indigenous agreement making, Traditional Owner groups must agree to the facilitators and may select a facilitator known to and respected by the parties. Traditional owners should also be supported to explore perceived bias or conflict of interest. Traditional Owners design process Traditional Owner groups express frustration that non-Indigenous information and systems are imposed. Participation of Traditional Owners in the design of agreement making processes must be settled prior to consideration of issues in a dispute.