Empowering Victoria's First PeopleS
Driving economic prosperity and equality in Victoria through sustainable financial resources and support in Traditional Owner Treaty negotiations.
Helping advance the Traditional Owner Treaty process
•
Building Wealth and Prosperity of all First Peoples in Victoria
•
Helping advance the Traditional Owner Treaty process • Building Wealth and Prosperity of all First Peoples in Victoria •
Leadership Announcement:
Welcoming Te Hapimana (Chappie) Te Kani as CEO
The Self-Determination Fund is proud to announce the appointment of Te Hapimana (Chappie) Te Kani as Chief Executive Officer.
Chappie is an Indigenous leader and senior executive with more than two decades of experience leading complex systems at the intersection of public policy, economic development, and Indigenous partnership. He has held senior leadership positions across the New Zealand Government, including as Secretary for Children and Chief Executive of Oranga Tamariki – the Ministry for Children; Acting Chief Executive of Te Arawhiti – the Office for Māori Crown Relations; and senior roles in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Public Service Commission.
Throughout his career, Chappie has been recognised for his clarity of vision, cultural grounding, and ability to lead transformation with integrity and purpose.
As CEO, he will lead the Fund into its next phase — strengthening governance, systems, and partnerships to position the Fund as a world-class Indigenous investment institution driving intergenerational prosperity for First Peoples.
The Fund also extends its sincere thanks to Dr Rohan Henry, whose leadership as Acting CEO has provided a strong foundation for the organisation’s next stage of growth.
A shared resource for First Peoples in Victoria
The Self-Determination Fund is controlled by First Peoples, for First Peoples. It will help generate wealth and prosperity for First Peoples communities now and for generations to come. The Fund will also help Traditional Owners prepare for and participate in Treaty negotiations.
Priority Areas
While recognising the strength and resilience of First Peoples, the Fund is established for the purposes of empowering First Peoples through:
-
Equal Footing in Traditional Owner Treaty negotiations for traditional owners in Victoria
To support Traditional Owner Groups to enter Traditional Owner Treaty negotiations with the State Government on a more level playing field.
-
Wealth and Prosperity of all First Peoples in Victoria
To be a resource for First Peoples to build capacity, wealth, and prosperity for current and future generations.
-
Future investments
To grow the capital of the Self-Determination Fund to sustainably support the purposes of the Fund, in perpetuity.
Learn more about the fund
The Self-Determination Fund is about creating a resource to support First Peoples’ aspirations in determining their own future by ensuring equal footing in the Traditional Owner Treaty negotiation process, and building wealth and prosperity, now and into the future.
Contact us
If your Traditional Owner Group would like to explore Equal Footing funding to assist in the Traditional Owner Treaty process, please click the button below to get in touch with us.
Want to donate?
The Self-Determination Fund is now welcoming donations to support the Wealth and Prosperity Purpose.