November 11, 2024
Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council is pressing ahead with its own “go-it-alone” Truth-Telling session next Monday (November 18).
The date had originally been set aside for a hearing of the State Government’s Truth-Telling and Healing Inquiry until it was shut down by the incoming State Government after the recent election.
The Truth-Telling session will be held at The Ration Shed Museum from 9:30am to 11:30am.
It will be chaired by Wakka Wakka Elder Eric Law AM and will include talks by a number of Cherbourg Elders.
Their stories will be recorded and held at the Museum.
“Government doesn’t dictate our truth and doesn’t dictate our Elders’ experience,” Cherbourg Mayor Bruce Simpson told The Guardian newspaper.
“And so we’re forging ahead.”
The independent, Indigenous-led Truth-Telling and Healing Inquiry was established by the former State Government to allow First Nations residents to share their histories directly.
It was praised by Mayor Simpson when it was officially launched in September.
“The inquiry is timely because Cherbourg has a unique story to share,” he said at the time.
“Our community embraces this inquiry as we know this opportunity will place our truth to Australia.”
Members from the Inquiry team visited Cherbourg of several occasions in the lead-up to the planned November hearing.
Inquiry chair Joshua Creamer received formal communication on November 4 from the new government that the Truth-Telling and Healing Inquiry would cease and the Path to Treaty Act 2023 repealed.
The barrister – a Waanyi and Kalkadoon man – said it was a lost opportunity for Queensland.
“It’ll be a lost opportunity for our generation. And I want people to know that this is the last generation of people who grew up under the protection Acts,” Mr Creamer said.
“That legislation facilitated the removal of people from their families, separated them out into different communities across Queensland – this is the last generation living to share that evidence and when they’re gone that direct evidence will be lost.
“These stories, that experience, that evidence isn’t going to be around for much longer. People are literally dying before they have the opportunity to share their story.”
The inquiry released its first report into its progress so far on October 25, the day before the State Election.
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- Truth Team Visits Cherbourg
- Mayor Backs Truth-Telling Inquiry
- Members Of Treaty Bodies Named
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- Premier Promises Treaty Legislation
- Next Step Taken On Path To Treaty
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Good.
The bravery of the people in telling their stories is testament to who they are, survivors. These stories must be told so history never repeats itself. The Cherbourg Ration Shed Museum is a must to visit and the keeper of so many treasures of a past that must be acknowledged. Congratulations, Cherbourg well done.