Henry Atkinson

I belong to the Wollithiga Clan and am fortunate to live on my own country. After living in Melbourne, I returned home (Echuca) permanently over a decade ago.

Becoming a Member of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria will most likely be the last thing I will be able to do for my clan, my community, and for First Nations peoples across Victoria. I wish this to be part of my legacy in seeing our people able to achieve self-determination… after being raised in an era of segregation and having government think and speak for us, and where we had no voice.

As an Elder I feel that I have much to offer in this reform era of Self Determination and Treaty with the experience I hold being subjected to those previous policies. I have spent most of my time working with previous State/Federal governments In areas of repatriation, land/water management. I have worked with several universities in their education faculties to improve student teachers understanding and awareness of our peoples’ histories, cultures, and ways of being and doing. I currently sit on the Elders board at Melbourne Museum and consult with the CFA in regards to the Koorie Action Plan.