Anonymous 1501

I’m still learning about specific colonisation issues in Victoria and its intergenerational and ongoing impacts, having grown up and lived elsewhere. I have greatly appreciated the work of the Yoorrook Commission though have barely touched the surface in reading/watching. I hope the work can continue. Impossible to uncover 200 years in just three.

While I wasn’t educated in Victoria, my children have been. There was welcome acknowledgement of history, colonisation, and ongoing pursuit of rights, but not strategically (eg a lens on each subject) so it was more like an ‘elective’. More is needed – as the Voice referendum highlighted. Would love students to have field trips to places of importance, and to learn more about Indigenous knowledges.

I am very worried at the withdrawal of even scant bipartisan support for Voice, Truth and Treaty in the wake of the referendum. Queensland is now showing what that looks like, and it is ugly and disrespectful. I would very much like the Coalition parties to stop making this a divisive issue and act with decency. So too the media. Think there needs to be cultural safety training for politicians, media, police, teachers, health workers – well everyone really. I would love the Yoorrook Commission to be able to keep doing its work, perhaps as a fully educational body, if the community believes that would be useful and that it didn’t interfere with First Peoples’ Assembly.

Dig deep into the history of the state – at state, regional and very local levels. Support local Aboriginal community organisations. Be part of solidarity groups. Vote with a First Nations lens. Work in their organisations as if it was a Yes at the referendum – make sure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients/patients/consumers/staff are able to have a real voice. Undergo cultural safety training.

Dig deep into the history of the state – at state, regional and very local levels. Support local Aboriginal community organisations. Be part of solidarity groups. Vote with a First Nations lens. Work in their organisations as if it was a Yes at the referendum – make sure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients/patients/consumers/staff are able to have a real voice. Undergo cultural safety training.