
What is this campaign asking for?
- The establishment of a Truth-Telling and Justice Commission in WA, similar to the Yoorrook Justice Commission in Victoria.
- The Commission will be able to make broad recommendations about practical actions and reforms to address systemic racial issues.
Why are we asking for this - why does the past matter today?
- In order to move forward together, we need to know our shared past.
- The impacts of colonisation, dispossession and forced removal are still felt today by First Nations people, families and communities.
- This process will help cut through the misinformation around the intergenerational trauma experienced by First Nations peoples and highlight their incredible resilience.
What is truth-telling?
- An opportunity for First Nations people to document the past from a different perspective and uncover untold and unrecognised parts of our history.
- An opportunity for First Nations people to share their culture, heritage and history with broader society.
- The process is based on justice and self-determination. It allows First Nation peoples experiences to be acknowledged.
Why does WA need a Truth-Telling and Justice Commission?
- WA has a number of ongoing injustices towards First Nations people that haven’t been responded to.
- We need a mechanism to hold the state government to account when it comes to these injustices.
- Services and systems need to be designed and operated in a culturally safe way.
- WA is diverse and everyone should have the opportunity to tell their truth.
- It will lead to improved community cohesion.