Victoria’s Pioneering Indigenous Truth-Telling Commission Concludes, Revealing Hidden Histories

After four years of testimonies and evidence from over 200 witnesses, the Yoorrook Justice Commission’s work has finally concluded.

Yoorrook recommends that redress could involve monetary compensation, tax relief, and the return of traditional lands, waters, and resources.

“Yoorrook has intricately woven the narratives of individual First People’s experiences into a comprehensive account of our collective history, and for the first time, this shared history has been revealed to many non-Aboriginal Victorians because of Yoorrook.”

With the powers of a royal commission, the inquiry was given the mandate to investigate all injustices faced by Indigenous people in Victoria dating back to the beginning of colonisation.

Commissioners heard evidence from Elders, Indigenous people, descendants of early colonisers, public servants, and politicians, including 16 separate apologies from ministers and government officials.

Over its 67 days of public hearings, Yoorrook heard from more than 200 witnesses in total, and received evidence from around 1500 First Nations people.

Landmark treaty negotiations underway

Established in 2018 and holding its first elections the following year, the First Peoples Assembly is a democratically elected Indigenous representative body focussed on advancing the treaty making process.

“While Yoorrook has wrapped up, truth telling is an ongoing process and our negotiations have also included how the Assembly will make sure our peoples can continue to have our truths heard, recorded and shared.”

“The significant change is that it will be a body where we will be listening and taking on their advice.”

“Victoria’s truth-telling process is a historic opportunity to hear the stories of our past that have been buried – these are stories that all Victorians need to hear.”