November 6, 2024
Cherbourg is going to press ahead with “truth telling” despite the State Government’s decision to scrap the official Truth-Telling and Healing Inquiry.
“The ceasing of the Truth-Telling and Healing Inquiry has caused uncertainty and fear in Cherbourg, and our community is going to do something about it,” a statement issued by the Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council on Wednesday said.
“We are going to tell our truth.
“Despite the Truth-Telling team being on hold, we are still going ahead with our gathering on November 18, even if it is for the Department to hand back those stories to our community that day.
“They have already screened about 20 Elders to give their truth.
“We will do it in a symbolic and significant way, where we have our Wakka Wakka Dancers and a big meal, and we will talk in front of the whole community why we are handing back those stories.
“It will be transparent, culturally safe, and still honour the dignity of those Elders that were brave enough to tell their stories.
“It is important for our Elders to see that the Truth-Telling team have not taken their stories – they are giving back what we shared, even if it may only have been around 20 per cent of what the truth was going to be.
“Recently, Cherbourg Council and the chair of the Elders Council had the privilege of meeting Yokai (which is) providing services to Stolen Generations survivors in Western Australia.
“Yokai (Healing Our Spirit) is standing beside Cherbourg, Stradbroke Island, and other Queensland discrete communities to continue to fight, to tell our truth.
“Our community will continue to forge strong partnerships with our neighbouring councils in Fraser Coast, Gympie, North and South Burnett and Toowoomba.
“We know that we must come together because the government is not going to support us. We need a bigger voice.
“David Crisafulli MP, please come to our community and listen to our stories.
“Listen to how truth-telling is not divisive, but how it will bring more understanding and shared history to our communities.”
Related articles:
- ‘It’s Imperative Our Voices Are Heard’
- Truth-Telling Inquiry Axed
- Truth Team Visits Cherbourg
- Mayor Backs Truth-Telling Inquiry
- Members Of Treaty Bodies Named
- LNP Ditches Support For Treaty
- Truth, Treaty Advice Given To MPs
- Community ‘Yarn’ On Truth, Treaty
- Premier Promises Treaty Legislation
- Next Step Taken On Path To Treaty
- EOIs Sought For Path To Treaty
- Webinar Update On Treaty Process
- Treaty Process Inches Forward
- Treaty Committee To Be Set Up
- Treaty Recommendations Handed Over
- Treaty Meeting In Cherbourg
- Treaty Conversation To Start
- Queensland Starts Path To Treaty
