Dr Moana Jackson to explore Indigenous rights at 10th annual Dungala Kaiela Oration
Prominent Māori lawyer and social justice advocate Moana Jackson will explore treaty, sovereignty and self-governance at the 10th annual Dungala Kaiela ‘Defining Goulburn Murray’ Oration on Yorta Yorta country in Shepparton on Tuesday, 24 July.
Co-hosted by the Kaiela Institute and the University of Melbourne, the oration brings together Shepparton and the wider community to promote social and economic prosperity in the Goulburn Murray.
Dr Jackson’s lecture, At home on country, at home in the world, will explore the United Nations drafting of Rights of Indigenous Peoples and its desire to allow Indigenous people to determine their own destinies.
Dr Jackson is Director of Ngā Kaiwhakamārama i ngā Ture (the Maori Legal Service) and lecturer at Te Wānanga o Raukawa, Ōtaki.
“Yorta Yorta people, like all Indigenous peoples, deserve to not just be safe and secure at home in country, but to be confident and brave at home in the world,” Dr Jackson said.
“I’ve learned about some of the exciting initiatives that have begun in the Goulburn Murray, and in Australia, to make this possible. These indicate that the hopes shared by so many during the drafting of the UN Declaration can be made real with imagination and bravery.
“To do this, we must have a voice and a seat at the table when it comes to treaty discussions and sovereignty more broadly.”
University of Melbourne Vice-Chancellor Glyn Davis and Kaiela Institute Executive Director Paul Briggs created the Dungala Kaiela Oration in 2008 to be a platform for community to be innovative and shape the region’s shared prosperity.
“The largest Indigenous community in Victoria lives in the Murray Goulburn region and Shepparton is the centre of this very important community,” Professor Davis said.
“Each year there have been some profoundly important arguments and perspectives shared that have help foster dialogue and change in the region. We’re proud to be a part of this discussion around Indigenous recognition.”
Following Tuesday’s oration, University of Melbourne researchers and local representatives of the Goulburn Murray community will come together to discuss self-determination, cultural affirmation and economic development on Wednesday, 24 July for the Indigenous Empowerment and Prosperity in the Goulburn Murray Region Research Summit.
The purpose of the Summit is to identify collaborative research initiatives that will advance self-determination for Aboriginal Victorians, which is of critical importance particularly in light of Jill Gallagher’s successful presentation of the ‘Advancing the Treaty Process with Aboriginal Victorians Bill 2018’ to the Victorian Parliament.
Victoria’s Treaty will be Australia’s first ever treaty legislation, and the timing of the Summit provides a key opportunity to listen to the region’s concerns and priorities and support their Indigenous agenda.
Media opportunity:
WHEN: Tuesday, 24 July, 5.30pm
WHERE: Rumbalara Football Netball Club, 20 Mercury Drive, Shepparton
WHO: Prominent Māori lawyer and social justice advocate Dr Moana Jackson, University of Melbourne Vice-Chancellor Glyn Davis and Kaiela Institute Executive Director and President of the Rumbalara Football Netball Club Paul Briggs
VISION: Smoking ceremony, Welcome to Country, Dhungala Children’s Choir, oration lecture by Dr Jackson and interviews with Dr Jackson, Professor Davis and Mr Briggs.