Strengths of First Peoples of Victoria
We acknowledge the First Peoples of Victoria's ongoing strength in practising the world’s oldest living culture. We acknowledge the Traditional Owners’ lands, waters, and skies on which we live and pay respects to their Elders past and present.
We recognise that there are long-lasting, far-reaching and intergenerational consequences of colonisation. Colonisation established Victoria with the intent of excluding First Peoples. This included their laws, cultures, customs and traditions. The development of Victorian laws, policies, systems and structures excluded First Peoples. This has resulted in entrenched systemic and structural racism.
We acknowledge that the impact and structures of colonisation still exist today. We have a responsibility to transform our systems and services so that First Peoples can hold decision-making power over matters that affect their lives.
We acknowledge the distinct accessibility challenges experienced by First Peoples in Victoria.
First Peoples and transport and planning
As we integrate our transport and planning systems to create thriving places and connected communities, we acknowledge the use of songlines as an integral part of Aboriginal culture which allowed First Peoples to easily connect their journeys across the nation.
We recognise the cultural significance of songlines as trade routes and ceremonial paths, and that some of the transport and planning networks and assets we use today are on those traditional songline routes.
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