Candida van Rood
Candida van Rood acknowledges the suffering of First Peoples due to brutal colonisation and criticises the lack of comprehensive First Nations history in education. She advocates for including truthful history in curriculums, establishing cultural centres, and creating a compensation fund for descendants. She stresses the importance of listening and supporting First Peoples in truth-telling and treaty processes.
Submission Transcription
Apart from being aware of First Nations artists, not a lot, but I can see and feel how many First Peoples’ have, and do suffer still from what happened under the at times, brutal and violent colonisation of the lands of Victoria.
I was educated in South Australia from the time my family and myself arrived from Europe in 1964. History books hardly mentioned First Nations people, I knew next to nothing about them, except for the awareness I had growing up that they were seriously marginalised and that there was a lot of prejudice from the people that I shared my school years with.
A full and truthful First Nations people’s history must be included in all school curriculums. There needs to be a Voice in Parliament, and Truth telling to be recorded and accessible to everyone. There needs to be dedicated cultural centres attached to the State Libraries, Gallery and museum where people can learn about their culture, history and languages.
By listening deeply and openly to what happened. There also needs to be a compensation fund for descendents of the First Nations people who are still struggling with homelessness, illness (physical/mental/emotional/psychological), so that they can be educated, housed or healed in whatever way they need to be able to get on with their lives with full confidence in their future. And if they choose to make their contribution to bring awareness and be consulted on all decisions which directly affects them personally as well as their families and communities.
By listening deeply and openly to what happened. There also needs to be a compensation fund for descendents of the First Nations people who are still struggling with homelessness, illness (physical/mental/emotional/psychological), so that they can be educated, housed or healed in whatever way they need to be able to get on with their lives with full confidence in their future. And if they choose to make their contribution to bring awareness and be consulted on all decisions which directly affects them personally as well as their families and communities.
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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.
