To embed First Peoples' culture in the Treaty Negotiation Framework, the Aboriginal Representative Body asked Sherry Johnstone to create an artwork that represents the Treaty Process for First Peoples in Victoria.
Sherry Johnstone, Spirit and Soul Creations. Proud Keerray Woorroong (Gunditjmara)/Yorta Yorta woman and artist.
| 1 | Bottom left circle: Remembers our Ancestors, who planted the seeds of culture, tradition and connection, living in harmony with the land and animals. |
| 2 | Along the bottom: First Peoples are the original custodians of the lands. We belong to it, we are part of it. We are all obligated to look after Country. |
| 3 | Pattern in the land at the bottom: Represents First Peoples' connection to the land, waterways, song lines, people and places. |
| 4 | Stars: The stars hold our dreaming, it’s where our Ancestors are, our people were the first astronomers. |
| 5 | Middle circle: The shield represents protection of our Ancestors' plight, protection of culture, story, practice and traditions. The flag represents First Peoples, Aboriginality and our identity. The message sticks represent First Peoples continuing to pass on our culture, wisdom, knowledge and stories. The spears behind the flag represents Aboriginal Lore and Law. The wavy lines in the outer circle represent the activism of First Peoples to make our voices heard. |
| 6 | Boomerangs: Represents our values and practices always coming back to our Ancestors' way and bringing back our ways. Within the boomerangs are windows of opportunity that will open to First Peoples through Treaty. The scars in the boomerang represent the scars and wounds we still carry from our Ancestors' sacrifices, fighting for their land, recognition and to have their voices heard and culture valued. |
| 7 | Hands: The hands represent First Peoples determining our future. Through Treaty, we will be the drivers of our own destiny. The hands also represent our Ancestors supporting and guiding us along the way. |
| 8 | The waterways coming out from each side of the middle circle: Our waterways are the veins of Mother Earth and are a vital part of our existence and ecosystem. Water is life. We need our waterways and must nurture them. |
| 9 | The tree with the hourglass: Represents running out of time to repair the damage that has been done to Country, waterways and the ocean. From carbon emissions, our ever-increasing population and development, natural and man-made disasters, bush fire management, deforestation, pollution and climate change. By drawing upon First Peoples' ancient knowledge and wisdom, we can make a difference. |
| 10 | Top right-hand circle: Represents First Peoples and the State coming together to reach an agreement. The message stick shows the meetings and gatherings that will be needed to achieve Treaty. The patterns around this represent working together, entwining our energies like a woven basket to become stronger together. The small seeds around the outside of the circle represent planting the seeds for our future generation’s well-being and cultural safety. |
| 11 | Bunjil: Bunjil represents how like a bird Treaty will free our spirits, allowing us to spread our wings and take flight, reaching new heights, fulfilling our future and finding our cultural purpose. |
| 12 | The sun: The sun behind Bunjil represents a brighter future through Treaty. |
| 13 | The leaves: The leaves represent, like the healing power of Country and bush medicine, Treaty will start the healing process for First Peoples. Like the native flowers, we will blossom and grow. |
| 14 | The journey line from the bottom left circle to the middle circle up to the top right circle: Represents honouring our Ancestors' plight and journey. On the outside are the steppingstones as we take one step at a time on the journey towards Treaty. |
Updated