Acknowledgement

We recognise the Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples of the lands across Queensland as the first custodians of this land. We acknowledge their ancestors, spirits, resilience and legacy.  

We recognise the many distinct Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Queensland – the freshwater peoples, saltwater peoples, desert peoples and rainforest peoples. Each have their own unique laws, traditions, languages, culture and traditional knowledge and are the care takers of their lands, seas, waters, air and resources.  

The Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry will complete the picture of Queensland’s history through truth-telling. The Inquiry acknowledges that the colonisation of Queensland and the dispossession of peoples, lands, seas, waters and air has had devastating, and ongoing, impacts on Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

Truth-telling uncovers experiences of endurance, resilience and strength of Queensland’s first peoples and is a powerful way to begin the healing process. Healing will help Queensland move towards a more positive relationship with Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples.  

Our aim is to create a shared future that is inclusive of all and embraces our diversity. Our future is one of truth, reflection, healing and respect. 

Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry Members were welcomed into the Cherbourg community to start conversations around how the community wishes to engage with the Inquiry and participate in truth-telling hearings and sessions. 

The Inquiry Terms of Reference requires Members to consult with Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples before truth-telling hearings and truth-telling sessions. The conversations will help shape the Inquiry’s approach in Cherbourg.

Members visited Cherbourg during NAIDOC week 2024 and again in August 2024.

Chairperson Joshua Creamer and Member Ivan Ingram had the opportunity to directly speak with community members, Mayor Bruce Simpson and Chatur Zala, CEO of Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council. They welcomed discussions about how Cherbourg want to participate in truth-telling hearings and sessions whilst upholding cultural protocols, safety and integrity.

Mayor Bruce Simpson acknowledges the importance of truth-telling in the Cherbourg community. 

“The Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry is timely because Cherbourg has a unique story to share. Our community embraces this Inquiry as we know this opportunity will place our ‘truth’ to Australia. Our healing on-country begins to shape a new narrative for us as Aboriginal people from many tribes, making one community,” Mayor Simpson said.

Cherbourg is a place of significance in Queensland as it was a former Aboriginal Reserve set up under the Queensland’s Aboriginals Protection and Restriction of the Sale of Opium Act 1897. Members and staff visited the Ration Shed Museum and Cherbourg/Barambah dormitories, which were home to generations of children who were removed from their families. 

The Inquiry will be working to uncover experiences of Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples who lived under the Act in places like Cherbourg.

The Inquiry will empower Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples to share their experiences in a trauma informed and culturally appropriate way. The initial priority is to capture and share the experiences of Elders.  
 

Acknowledgement

We recognise the many distinct Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples of the lands across Queensland as the first custodians of this land. The Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry will complete the picture of Queensland's history through truth-telling. Our future is one of truth, reflection, healing and respect.