A young Wotjobaluk leader believes National Reconciliation Week is a reminder ‘we’ve come far as a nation, but there is still a long road ahead’. 

Barengi Gadjin Land Council chairperson Dylan Clarke, 28, has a vision Traditional Owner groups can work harmoniously with state and federal governments to bolster opportunities for all Australians. 

Mr Clarke never saw himself taking on such heavy responsibilities for his people. 

He said he was 18 when he stepped into the role as a land-council member and later became chairperson. 

Late last year he joined First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria to be a voice for rights and interests of Wimmera Traditional Owners, the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia and Jupagulk people. 

The assembly met for the first time in December, where Mr Clarke made his maiden speech. 

He said his heart was in ‘keeping the mob strong’, and committed to build on the work of past First Nations leaders to support his communities through a treaty process.

“If we’re serious about reconciliation, we need to be open to hearing that and learning more about each other,” he said. 

“There are some hard home truths that need to be heard – a history of settlement and things that have gone on in this country which some of our children don’t even know about.

“People shouldn’t feel guilty about any of that, I think that’s a key message. Guilt is not what we want people to feel. We need to be patient.

“If we can reconcile relationships between our non-Indigenous and Indigenous nation around this country, it’s only going to improve relationships and outcomes for the whole community.”

Mr Clarke was born in Ballarat, but he frequents the Wimmera – land where his Wotjobaluk ancestors roamed and where his ‘mob’ still resides – a place he feels the ‘strongest connection to country’. 

His Aunty Kaylene Clarke and Uncle Jack Kennedy were the two applicants that led to a positive Native Title outcome in 2005, the first successful Native Title claim in Victoria. 

He said it was his family who encouraged him to take on the leadership roles. 

“I was encouraged by my family at a young age to be involved with culture, community and country,” he said. 

“When I was about 18 or 19, my Aunty decided to nominate me to the board.” 

He said seeing the successes of Melbourne Traditional Owner groups, Boon Wurrung and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people, fuelled his ambitions to achieve something similar for his people. 

“What drove me was just seeing our people miss out on opportunities,” he said. 

“I was seeing other groups advance through some of their aspirations and their presence could be seen.” 

Mr Clarke said he believed open conversation and understanding were keys to the nation moving forward. 

“When I think of reconciliation, if there is more action and drive to listen and understand each other, that understanding and bridge can be built with people, which will have better outcomes, not only for Aboriginal groups, but the whole community. 

“People can have those open and robust conversations. Agree to disagree – this week provides that opportunity – but for me, it doesn’t stop there and it’s something we should be working towards year round.”

– Dylan De Jong

Reconciliation Week: A long road home...

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