Anonymous 1043
Anonymous 1043 reflects on the good faith negotiations by First Peoples during colonisation, their limited education on First Nations history, and suggests engaging elders to review the curriculum. They advocate for listening without defensiveness and promoting First Peoples history through seasonal festivals and historic markers.
Submission Transcription
Sounds like First Peoples negotiated in good faith to allow Batman et el to stay for a period. First Peoples were diplomatic and probably used to trading/ negotiating with nicer folk. They were scammed and it all went down hill from there.
My Grade 5 teacher in 1972 told us about what our local area was like prior to settlement and how it was used as resting place for expectant mothers and mum’s with young children, due to the abundant food sources. That some people said Moorabbin meant resting place and others said it meant mother’s milk, but it was probably something somewhere in between that could not be directly translated. This was the only education on First Nations history I received in my entire schooling. And looking back now this teacher may well have had indigenous family history, but at that ignorant young age I did not realise that First Nations’ people came in lighter shades than the media stereotype.
Shut up and listen, mostly. Try not to be defensive as it is not about us.
Shut up and listen, mostly. Try not to be defensive as it is not about us.
Shut up and listen, mostly. Try not to be defensive as it is not about us.
Truth-teller consent
Contact us about this submission
Contact us if you’d like to discuss this submission.
Similar submissions
Explore submissions from other witnesses that discuss similar topics.
Viki Sinclair (Fowler)
Viki Sinclair is a direct descendant of one of the original settlers of Gippsland, Colin McLaren. In this submission, she tells her personal story of... more
Anonymous 1481
The author has a broad understanding of colonisation’s impact on First Peoples but feels Victoria's education system was extremely limited in teaching... more
Denise Cusack Sister of Our Lady of Sion
Denise Cusack, Sister of Our Lady of Sion, found attending some of the Yoorrook Justice Commission public hearings to be a deeply moving experience,... more
Melissa Turnbull
Melissa Turnbull describes the brutal colonisation of Victoria, including undocumented massacres and displacement of First Peoples. Her education on F... more
Reports and Recommendations
Read the official reports and recommendations of the Yoorrook Justice Commission.
Yoorrook for Transformation
Third Interim Report: A five-volume comprehensive reform report presenting evidence and findings on systemic injustices, and specific recommendations for meaningful change to transform the future.
Truth Be Told
An official public record that documents First Peoples experiences since colonisation, preserves crucial testimonies for future generations and creates an enduring resource for education and understanding.
Recommendations for change
Yoorrook Justice Commission’s recommendations for truth-telling, justice, and systemic reform in Victoria.
