Yoorrook Justice Commission chair Eleanor Bourke.
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The truths of First Peoples feature in a campaign by the Yoorrook Justice Commission that kicked off on Tuesday, May 27.
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Yoorrook — Victoria’s formal truth-telling process — has been investigating past and ongoing systemic injustices faced by Victorian First Peoples since colonisation.
Yoorrook chair Professor Eleanor Bourke said over the past four years Yoorrook had gathered hundreds of truths about the true history of the state of Victoria since the start of colonisation.
“The campaign is about sharing those truths with all Victorians, so we can all understand this past and move forward together,’’ she said.
Over the next six weeks, the ‘First the talk. Now the walk.’ campaign will elevate truths told by First Peoples.
It aims to help build a shared understanding of Victoria’s history, as well as showing the strength, achievements and resistance of First Peoples.
It will share truths from Aboriginal people from across Victoria, including from:
• Uncle Henry Atkinson, who shared his experiences of racism at school.
Uncle Henry Atkinson, pictured with Tuesday Browell, has shared his experiences of racism at school as part of the Yoorrook Justice Commission.
“We weren't allowed to have playtime at the same time as the other kids.’’
• Keicha Day, who talks about the importance of never forgetting how far we have come.
“Having all the facts means not making the same mistakes again.’’
• And Paul Paton, who talks about how Country includes family, culture, language, customs and spiritual beliefs.
“Land is us and we are land. Land is central to what we call Country.”
The campaign will be promoted through Yoorrook’s digital channels, and will also be found in key Victorian cultural institutions, including State Library Victoria, Melbourne Museum, Geelong Arts Centre, The Wheeler Centre and on screens at Fed Square.
“Keep an eye out for these stories as you move through the city and other locations and make the time to listen and learn,’’ Prof Bourke said.
“We are deeply appreciative of those who have shared their stories, which are now on the public record — a gift for us all to benefit from.”
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