WITH negotiations toward a treaty underway, Victorians have the chance to explore stories of Victoria’s rich Aboriginal cultures and communities and share pride in the state’s progress.
The Victorian Government has launched the online platform, deadlyandproud.com.au, to share stories from Traditional Owners and Aboriginal Victorians about why all Victorians can feel pride in the state’s Indigenous heritage.
Victorians can learn more about the land on which these stories are told and the connection to country by exploring the interactive map of Victoria on the platform.
‘Deadly’ to Aboriginal people means strong, amazing and awesome, it’s been used in this campaign to describe the storytellers and advocates, and the stories they share.
Tony Briggs, Yorta Yorta and Wurundjeri man, Deadly & Proud campaign director, said “the platform gives all Victorians the opportunity to see why they can share in our pride as Aboriginal people.”
“All Victorians can and should be proud of what we have in Victoria. Our state’s history is shared, as is our future,” Mr Briggs said.
Yorta Yorta and Dja Dja Wurrung woman, Muriel Bamblett, wants Victorians to know that they don’t have to go to the Northern Territory to find a real ‘Aboriginal experience’: Victoria has its own wealth of historical and cultural sites people can be proud of, including in places like the Barmah Forest.
Muriel is sharing her story on the path to treaty as a part of the Victorian Government’s Deadly & Proud campaign.
Mooroopna-born Archie Roach, Gunditjmara and Bundjalung man, musician and Deadly & Proud storyteller, said the campaign provides an opportunity for meaningful dialogue with the wider Victorian public.
“Country is sacred, and we want all Victorians to understand why. The rich history of this land is something everyone can be proud of, and a treaty is an integral step in that journey,” Mr Roach said.
