{"id":354398,"date":"2024-11-01T14:40:58","date_gmt":"2024-11-01T04:40:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=354398"},"modified":"2024-11-01T14:51:17","modified_gmt":"2024-11-01T04:51:17","slug":"its-imperative-our-voices-are-heard","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2024\/11\/01\/its-imperative-our-voices-are-heard\/","title":{"rendered":"‘It’s Imperative Our Voices Are Heard’"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Cherbourg Elder Eric Law AM talking with Truth Telling And Healing Inquiry team member David Wragge in the Cherbourg Council Chambers on October 2 (Photo: CASC)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

November 1, 2024<\/strong><\/p>\n

Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council and the Cherbourg Elders Advisory Group expressed their profound disappointment on Friday about the State Government’s decision to freeze the Truth-Telling and Healing process.<\/p>\n

The CASC said the move undermined the rights of First Nations peoples to engage in vital dialogues about their history and experiences.<\/p>\n

Council CEO Chatur Zala said an Inquiry meeting had been planned to be held at The Ration Shed on November 18, and at this stage it would still go ahead.<\/p>\n

“Even if it’s without them, it will still go ahead,” he said.<\/p>\n

A joint statement issued by the CASC, Doomadgee Mayor Fredrick O’Keefe and Dale Ruska, from the Minjerribah Moorgumpin Elders-in-Council Aboriginal Corporation, said the State Government’s decision represented a “significant step backward” on First Nations justice issues and had dismissed the urgent calls from communities for meaningful truth-telling and healing.<\/strong><\/p>\n

“If the inquiry is pulled completely, the implications of this decision will reverberate for generations,” the statement continued.<\/p>\n

“The inquiry is an opportunity for Queensland to understand and acknowledge past injustices imposed on First Nations people. Through truth-telling our people, including our communities and
\nElders, can share their stories, a vital step towards healing.<\/p>\n

“It is imperative that our voices are heard in this process.<\/p>\n

“We call on the Crisafulli Government to reaffirm its commitment to the ongoing truth-telling and healing journey that our communities have initiated.<\/p>\n

“Our Elders are ready to share their stories. Despite this setback, Stradbroke, Cherbourg and Doomadgee remain resilient.<\/strong><\/p>\n

“The Stradbroke community will mobilise tomorrow (Saturday) to amplify the critical importance of the Truth-Telling and Healing Inquiry and will proceed with their scheduled information day at 10:00am at the Dunwich Hall.<\/p>\n

“We are immensely appreciative of the support our communities have received to date, from the Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry team.<\/p>\n

“We have extended an invitation to Premier Crisafulli to join our truth-telling and healing information day tomorrow, an opportunity for the Premier to begin his commitment to First Nations people in Queensland.”<\/p>\n

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