Echuca's Henry Atkinson nominated for First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria

They were then the first Aboriginal people to settle in Echuca, reclaiming just a patch of the country that had been taken from them.

Now, it's Henry's turn.

The proud Wollithiga man has put his hand up to be a part of the first Aboriginal treaty in Australian history, accepted as a nominee for the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria.

And continuing his family’s proud tradition of forging paths for indigenous people – and fighting for a brighter future.

The First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria will play a key role in the Victorian Treaty process, providing a voice for Aboriginal communities.

Its role will include setting up the framework for negotiations (it is not being set up to negotiate treaties).

Bringing Victoria, and the country, one step closer to a historical treaty – Australia is currently the only developed Commonwealth nation without treaties with its First Peoples.

Voting is open until October 20 and Henry is urging locals to have their say.

“I encourage indigenous people and traditional owners of Victoria to vote,” he said.

“You don't have to vote for me, but at least vote.

“Because if people vote, the State Government will see people are interested. Not only that – it might encourage other states and the Commonwealth to follow suit.”

Born in Echuca, Henry grew up playing football for Echuca in the Bendigo Football League and Echuca South in the now-defunct Echuca Football League.

Before eventually moving to Melbourne to study teaching at Monash, where he later received his professorial.

After 12 years at Monash he spent a following 12 at Deakin, developing a unit to train school teachers in teaching Aboriginal children.

“I took pre-service teachers to remote Northern Territory, which really opened their eyes,” he said.

“Sadly it's not a compulsory course in all universities. But maybe the treaty can help change things.”

Throughout the years, Henry has been enormously active in his community.

He was a member of Echuca Fire Brigade and Boronia Fire Brigade, also working on CFA’s inclusion action plan to encourage more indigenous people to join.

Henry was a founding member of Moama Search and Rescue and MLDRIN – an organisation that works to preserve cultural heritage and the environment within the Murray Darling Basin.

He was a trustee of the Opening Doors the Foundation, which aims to address educational disadvantages for indigenous students.

“I also worked with the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council in protecting local red gum forests,” he said.

“Plus I’ve been an advisory member to the Museum Victoria committee for more than 20 years, repatriating our ancestors and artifacts wherever I can get them.

“That's been hard – you see things that have happened in the past. Skeletal remains and soft body tissue, especially those of children who were killed through massacres.”

For Henry, this treaty has been a dream for more than 60 years.

Now it’s finally happening, he hopes the First Peoples’ Assembly will work together to get it right.

“We can't just come along and say, ‘I want a treaty’,” he said.

“What do we want a treaty for, what are we going to do with it? What I see is better education, health and housing for Aboriginal people.

“This treaty is for the younger generations. It may take 10 years, even 20 years before we really get our feet off the ground.”

Henry said it was crucial non-indigenous people were also a part of the journey, particularly if that meant the greater chance of indigenous culture’s survival.

“Aboriginal culture is the only true culture of this country,” he said.

“We want to make sure it is preserved. It's the longest living culture in the world, over 100,000 years.

“So why should a culture still survive and nobody have ownership to it?”

A polling booth will be open at Njernda Aboriginal Corporation from Monday, October 7 to Friday, October 11, 9am to 5pm.

Details of all nominated candidates can be found at firstpeoplesvic.org/your-candidates and people can enrol to vote online at firstpeoplesvic.org/enrol until October 20.