A powerful campaign sharing Aboriginal culture and perspectives on treaty will be projected in Ballarat for White Night on September 21.
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Videos of First Nations people answering questions from the public will be displayed on a large-scale projection of Gordon artist and Wathaurung elder Aunty Marlene Gilson's painting Land Lost, Land Stolen, Treaty.
Wathaurung man Barry James Gilson's vocals and lyrics will play throughout the show that will be projected on the old Bank of New South Wales building facade.
What does a treaty mean to you?
- Deadly Questions
The videos are part of the state government's Deadly Questions campaign, an online platform for people to ask questions and for Aboriginal Victorians to provide answers.
It is also a space to share stories about the strength and vibrancy of their cultures, and to give their perspectives on history and the future towards treaty.
Watch a Deadly Questions video that will be projected as part of White Night Ballarat below.
Victoria is the first Australian state to commit to negotiating a treaty with First Peoples. Treaty will formally recognise and celebrate Aboriginal Victorians' unique status, rights and cultures.
Deadly Questions Champion Carissa Lee said treaty was well overdue and Deadly Questions was helping to break down uncertainty about it.
"Even now you still hear people saying 'move on, why do you need a treaty?'. I think it is because they clearly don't understand what treaty means," she said.
"Deadly Questions is a great way to find out what we are about, what we want and to get to know First Nations people. There needs to be a big removal of uncertainty."
Even now you still hear people saying 'move on, why do you need a treaty?
- Carissa Lee, Deadly Questions champion
As part of the Deadly Questions campaign Ms Lee was asked 'what does a treaty mean to you?'.
"It's this idea of being able to live together in harmony and have equality across our country, instead of treating us like we're encroaching on it, in some way, by wanting it," she wrote in response.
The Deadly Questions campaign and Mr and Ms Gilson's art was also projected on the National Gallery of Victoria as part of White Night Melbourne in August.
Watch the video below to see Barry James Gilson's video of the Deadly Questions installation at White Night Melbourne.
Ms and Mr Gilson were also involved in the Story Tree installation at White Night Melbourne in the Carlton Gardens.
Watch the video below to see Barry James Gilson's video of the Story Tree installation at White Night Melbourne.
White Night will light up Ballarat from 7pm on Saturday September 21 until 2am on Sunday September 22.
Visit https://whitenight.com.au/ballarat/ for program details.
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Rochelle Kirkham
Rochelle covers court and has a particular interest in social issues including homelessness, food security and family violence.
Rochelle covers court and has a particular interest in social issues including homelessness, food security and family violence.
