Local elders to join historic commission

BALLARAT First Nations elders will have the opportunity to be part of the Yoorrook Justice Commission, Victoria’s truth and reconciliation process examining the impact of colonisation.

Named from the Wamba Wamba word meaning truth, the process will have the powers of a royal commission and seek to establish an official public record of systemic inequalities forced upon the state’s Traditional Owners.

The commission will then make recommendations for the Victoria’s treaty process being undertaken by the First People’s Assembly of Victoria.

Wamba Wamba elder and chair of Yoorrook, Professor Eleanor Bourke, said commissioners will hear directly from elders on thoughts of the process and tell their stories in a group setting or one-on-one.

As part of that process a yarning circle is set for the Ballarat and District Aboriginal Cooperative on Friday, 8 April from 10am.

“We have some insights through current and ongoing research on the public record, but we’ve made it a priority to go out to try and speak to elders,” Professor Bourke said.

“Some of our elders who have already made their lifetime contribution are at different stages at their life both physically and mentally, but they have views about these things too through their family experience and their lived and working experience.

“It’s about hearing the Aboriginal voice out on the ground and we’re very late in doing that because of the pandemic. We weren’t able to get on the road in the way we thought we would’ve.”

After the yarning circles, which will take place across the state until 22 April, elders will have the chance to give testimony and go on Yoorrook’s official public record and report.

Formal truth-telling hearings will take place from 26 April to 19 May, and an interim report is due for submission on 30 June.

“We’ve never had a royal commission into the impact of colonisation on Aboriginal people and we’ve never invited Aboriginal people to tell their stories and be part of a truth-telling exercise,” Professor Bourke said.

“It’s a very unique opportunity and we wish to make the most of it here in Victoria and show the other states what’s possible as well.”

During Yoorrook’s visit, commissioners will also participate in an on-country tour accompanied by local elders.