Two new co-chairs have been chosen to lead Victoria's historic treaty body.
Ngarra Murray and Rueben Berg were elected to the roles in the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria, following a day-long meeting at parliament house.
"This is a turning point for our people, our state and our nation," Mr Berg said in a statement.
"Treaty will lead to a better future for our mob, one where we can go from surviving to thriving."
Ms Murray, a reported political ally of independent federal senator Lidia Thorpe, said change would come from people realising and fighting for their rights.
"We must make sure treaty respects our rights, dignity and sovereignty as First Peoples and leads to a healed and healthy country for all of us," she said.
The 32-member assembly was welcomed through a smoking ceremony at parliament gardens on Wednesday morning before entering the Legislative Council together.
There was a welcome to country and performance from the Djirri Djirri dancers before outgoing co-chairs Aunty Geraldine Atkinson and Marcus Stewart spoke to the members.
"What happens next is up to you," Aunty Geraldine said.
"We want you to take this message stick, uphold our culture, rejuvenate our languages and practices and do all our mobs proud."
Aunty Geraldine said the state government and federal politicians were finally understanding that laws and policies about Indigenous people needed to be crafted by Indigenous people.
She urged the assembly to push for a 'yes' vote in the referendum for an Indigenous voice to parliament.
Mr Stewart also used his final speech to push for change at a federal level.
"The voice will be a stepping stone - voice, treaty, truth is a package deal," he told the assembly.
"Any step forward that gives Aboriginal people more say over the decisions that impact their lives is a step we need to take."
All 32 assembly members then made speeches to the chamber, sharing why they wanted to take part in the treaty process.
Among them was Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service chief executive Nerita Waight, one of the 11 first-time members, who said no one should be left behind on the path to treaty.
"This will require us to ensure we are continually talking to community in developing positions that take into account the diversity of opinions that exist," she told the assembly.
"We must also ensure the wider Victorian society is brought along the journey of treaty as well because ultimately this will form the foundation of Victoria for future generations.
Former Department of Premier and Cabinet staffer Barry Firebrace-Briggs, another first-time member, called on the assembly to act in his inaugural speech.
"Our job is to decolonise the systems and the very place we stand in today and claim back the rightful power as sovereigns to make decisions that enrich our communities, culture and water and land," he said.
The assembly's first term was largely occupied with brokering treaty framework deals with the Victorian government, laying the foundation for the negotiations.
Its second iteration will get down to the business of actual statewide treaty talks later this year.
