Taking Care of Culture Discussion Paper

• Introduction

  Culture is important for Aboriginal Peoples. Traditional Owners are the custodians of their heritage, the land, the waterways and the People.

• Aim of this Discussion Paper

  This Discussion Paper seeks feedback from Victorian Aboriginal Peoples about their Cultural Heritage management.

• The past shapes our future: the historical context

  The Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 (Vic) (AHA) came into effect in 2007 to replace the ‘relics’ model of protection.

• Where are we now? Current threats to Victorian Aboriginal Cultural Heritage

  There remain significant threats to Aboriginal Cultural Heritage in Victoria.

• Culture is living: Importance of Victorian Aboriginal Cultural Heritage

  Aboriginal Cultural Heritage comprises the intangible and tangible aspects of the whole body of cultural practices, resources and knowledge systems.

• How Aboriginal culture is understood by Victorians

  Victorian Aboriginal Peoples have a strong understanding of their culture, heritage and spirituality.

• Self-determination and Aboriginal control: Management of Aboriginal cultural heritage in Victoria

  The fundamental principles of self-determination and Aboriginal control and management of cultural heritage are enshrined in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

• Land is our future: Caring for Country

  Aboriginal Peoples have a deep connection with land and waters with Country, which is central to their spiritual identity.

• Waters are our spirit

  Aboriginal Peoples in Victoria have a deep connection with waters and waterways.

• Plants and animals

  Plants and animals are totems for Aboriginal Peoples.

• Cultural objects

  Victoria’s museums and archives are now home to many objects of enormous cultural significance to Victoria’s Aboriginal Peoples.

• Art and performance

  Aboriginal Peoples have the right to practice and revitalise their Cultural Traditions, to develop manifestations of their culture including performing arts.

• Language

  Before the start of colonisation there were around 40 Aboriginal languages spoken in Victoria.

• Traditional knowledge

  For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, traditional knowledge includes ecological knowledge, medicinal knowledge, environmental management knowledge and cultural and spiritual knowledge.

• Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Register - intangible heritage

  The 2016 amendments to the AHA recognised Aboriginal intangible heritage, introduced a system for recording intangible heritage on the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Register.

• Respecting those who came before: Ancestral Remains

  Since colonisation there has been large scale – public and private – theft of Ancestral Remains and ceremonial objects from Aboriginal burial grounds.

• Giving voice to people: Revitalistion of cultural heritage practices

  Aboriginal People hold distinct Cultural Rights and must not be denied the right to enjoy their identity and culture.

• Where to now? Improving the state of Victoria's Aboriginal cultural heritage

  Aboriginal cultural heritage must be recognised as an invaluable asset.

• Continuing the discussion

  We would like to hear from Victoria’s Aboriginal peoples and those working with them about the state of Aboriginal cultural heritage in Victoria.

• Glossary and footnotes

  Taking Care of Culture Discussion Paper glossary and footnotes.

• Appendices

  Taking Care of Culture Discussion Paper appendices.

Updated 5 January 2021