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Acknowledgement

We recognise the Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples of the lands across Queensland as the first custodians of this land. We acknowledge their ancestors, spirits, resilience and legacy.  

We recognise the many distinct Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Queensland – the freshwater peoples, saltwater peoples, desert peoples and rainforest peoples. Each have their own unique laws, traditions, languages, culture and traditional knowledge and are the care takers of their lands, seas, waters, air and resources.  

The Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry will complete the picture of Queensland’s history through truth-telling. The Inquiry acknowledges that the colonisation of Queensland and the dispossession of peoples, lands, seas, waters and air has had devastating, and ongoing, impacts on Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

Truth-telling uncovers experiences of endurance, resilience and strength of Queensland’s first peoples and is a powerful way to begin the healing process. Healing will help Queensland move towards a more positive relationship with Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples.  

Our aim is to create a shared future that is inclusive of all and embraces our diversity. Our future is one of truth, reflection, healing and respect. 

25 October 2024

The Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry has released its first report – The story of Queensland connects us all

The report highlights some of its key achievements since starting on 1 July 2024. It also shares information about the hearings and sessions already held and how the Inquiry plans to engage Queenslanders in its next steps.

The report also includes a roadmap of the Inquiry’s activities during its 3-year term, as it works across Queensland to discover the continuing story of how we all created Queensland. 

In launching the report, Inquiry Chairperson Joshua Creamer, a Waanyi and Kalkadoon barrister, said the Inquiry has a role to strengthen the relationship between non-Indigenous people and Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples, to foster reconciliation and a deeper respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, history and experiences that transcend generations. 

“The Inquiry is about unity and contributing to a reconciled Queensland, based upon a shared understanding of a full and complete history of Queensland,” he said. 

How the Inquiry will gather evidence during its term

Mr Creamer said that every one of us is a part of Queensland’s story. 

“We remain focused on gathering evidence from those with lived experience, with the Inquiry team preparing for truth-telling sessions across the state," he said.
Mr Creamer also advised that the Inquiry has launched its online submission portal, and invites Queenslanders to make submissions to the Inquiry – you can learn more here.

The Inquiry has set out its key dates for truth-telling sessions and hearings in communities across Queensland. These are: 

November to December 2024 – South-east region
February 2025 to April 2025 – North and central Queensland regions
May 2025 to August 2025 – Cairns, Cape York, Torres Strait regions
September 2025 to October 2025 – Gulf of Carpentaria region
July 2026 to October 2026 – South-west region

Acknowledgement

We recognise the many distinct Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples of the lands across Queensland as the first custodians of this land. The Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry will complete the picture of Queensland's history through truth-telling. Our future is one of truth, reflection, healing and respect.