Claire Foley
Claire Foley self-taught herself about the colonisation of Victoria and its impacts on First Peoples through various sources. She found no education on this topic during her schooling in the 1960s and advocates for immersive education and continuous truth-telling efforts to promote understanding and respect for First Peoples.
Submission Transcription
I did not learn any of this as a young person. What I know has been self-taught: through reading fiction and non-fiction: both First Peoples’ authors and others: film; seminars, discussion groups; talking to family and friends. Also learning from listening to whitefellas who have been in gaol with First Peoples.
There was no learning about First Nations history and culture in Victoria’s ed system when I was at school in the 1960s.
Total immersive education in all educational settings; . First Nations perspective in every topic be it music, history, maths, science etc. Not as a separate ‘oh we will now learn about First Peoples culture’. 2. For those not in educational settings: It is all available: people just have to look. That is the big question: How to get whitefellas that want to remain blind – how do you get them to engage. Just ‘keep on keeping on’.
- By supporting the Treaty process – reading; attending events; discussions; publishing news of events to their own community groups (eg I belong to a First Nations Focus Brunswick Uniting Church group);
- By continuing to share and publish truth-telling stories. And confirming the importance of truth-telling.
- By supporting the Treaty process – reading; attending events; discussions; publishing news of events to their own community groups (eg I belong to a First Nations Focus Brunswick Uniting Church group);
- By continuing to share and publish truth-telling stories. And confirming the importance of truth-telling.
Truth-teller consent
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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.
