In this episode of Yarning Up, the first instalment of Season Five, I sat down with Meriki Onus, who shared their passion for standing for election to the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria—an independent, democratically elected body representing First Peoples in Treaty negotiations. The Assembly forms part of Gellung Warl, a new overarching body established under the Victorian Government’s Statewide Treaty Act 2025.

Meriki opened up about their family’s long history of political activism, reflecting on what it was like growing up on Lake Tyers Mission in Bung Yarnda. They spoke about listening to conversations around Aboriginal community control, Treaty, and sovereignty—shared by their Nan, Alma Thorpe, and Edna Brown—long before they had the language to fully understand them.

They also shared their vision as a member: “putting community at the heart of Gellung Warl,” and what it means to reimagine what’s possible in resetting our relationship with government—and with ourselves—on our own terms.

The Victorian Treaty Elections will take place from 21 March to 12 April 2026, with voting available online, in person, or by post. These elections determine representatives for the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria—an independent, democratically elected body that plays a key role in Treaty negotiations. Voting is not compulsory, but it’s a powerful opportunity for community to have a say in shaping the future of Treaty in Victoria.

 

To learn more about the Treaty Elections happening in Victoria click HERE. To learn more about Meriki Onus candidacy click HERE. 

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a rating and review so we can elevate First Nations people and stories and don’t forget to follow the show! Follow Caroline on Instagram @blak_wattle_coaching and learn more about working with Caroline HERE

 

We would like to acknowledge Aboriginal people as Australia’s First Peoples’ who have never ceded their sovereignty. We acknowledge the Wurundjeri/Woiwurrung people of the Kulin Nation where the podcast was recorded. We pay our deepest respects to Traditional Owners across Australia and Elders past and present. And our future young generations.

 

In this episode of Yarning Up, the first instalment of Season Five, I sat down with Meriki Onus, who shared their passion for standing for election to the First Peoples&rsquo; Assembly of Victoria&mdash;an independent, democratically elected body representing First Peoples in Treaty negotiations. The Assembly forms part of Gellung Warl, a new overarching body established under the Victorian Government&rsquo;s Statewide Treaty Act 2025.
Meriki opened up about their family&rsquo;s long history of political activism, reflecting on what it was like growing up on Lake Tyers Mission in Bung Yarnda. They spoke about listening to conversations around Aboriginal community control, Treaty, and sovereignty&mdash;shared by their Nan, Alma Thorpe, and Edna Brown&mdash;long before they had the language to fully understand them.
They also shared their vision as a member: &ldquo;putting community at the heart of Gellung Warl,&rdquo; and what it means to reimagine what&rsquo;s possible in resetting our relationship with government&mdash;and with ourselves&mdash;on our own terms.
The Victorian Treaty Elections will take place from 21 March to 12 April 2026, with voting available online, in person, or by post. These elections determine representatives for the First Peoples&rsquo; Assembly of Victoria&mdash;an independent, democratically elected body that plays a key role in Treaty negotiations. Voting is not compulsory, but it&rsquo;s a powerful opportunity for community to have a say in shaping the future of Treaty in Victoria.
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To learn more about the Treaty Elections happening in Victoria click <a href="https://www.treatyelections.org/">HERE</a>. To learn more about Meriki Onus candidacy click <a href="https://www.instagram.com/vote1_meriki_onus/">HERE.</a>&nbsp;
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a rating and review so we can elevate First Nations people and stories and don&rsquo;t forget to follow the show! Follow Caroline on Instagram<a href="https://www.instagram.com/blak_wattle_coaching/"> @blak_wattle_coaching</a> and learn more about working with Caroline<a href="https://www.carolinekell.com.au/"> HERE</a>
&nbsp;
We would like to acknowledge Aboriginal people as Australia&rsquo;s First Peoples&rsquo; who have never ceded their sovereignty. We acknowledge the Wurundjeri/Woiwurrung people of the Kulin Nation where the podcast was recorded. We pay our deepest respects to Traditional Owners across Australia and Elders past and present. And our future young generations.
&nbsp;

Yarning Up is hosted by the ever-inspiring Caroline Kell - Mbarbrum woman, visionary behind Blak Wattle Coaching and Consulting, and TedX Speaker. This show is helping to redefine the way listeners engage with First Nations people, stories, experiences and perspectives, offering a refreshing alternative to the mainstream narrative.  Through candid and heartfelt conversations, this platform opens doors to authentic learning and connection with First Nations people, issues, causes, and stories. Its purpose is truth telling and to help all Australians learn and unlearn Australia’s past, to work towards a better future.  

Yarning Up is hosted by the ever-inspiring Caroline Kell - Mbarbrum woman, visionary behind <a href="https://www.carolinekell.com.au/">Blak Wattle Coaching and Consulting</a>, and <a href="https://www.ted.com/talks/caroline_kell_first_nations_burnout_the_cultural_collective_load">TedX Speaker.</a> This show is helping to redefine the way listeners engage with First Nations people, stories, experiences and perspectives, offering a refreshing alternative to the mainstream narrative.&nbsp; Through candid and heartfelt conversations, this platform opens doors to authentic learning and connection with First Nations people, issues, causes, and stories. Its purpose is truth telling and to help all Australians learn and unlearn Australia’s past, to work towards a better future. &nbsp;

Yarning Up First Nations Stories with Caroline Kell

 Meriki Onus - Historic Treaty Elections (Gellung Warl)

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/a0832162-1f46-4b55-b997-b4110027fbd5/transcript