29. Truth-telling: From Country to Classroom

What is the work of truth-telling? How is evidence collected? What happens next?

What role should schools play in teaching Australia’s full history?

Australia has completed its first, formal truth-telling process — the Yoorrook Justice Commission of Victoria.

We joined Commissioner Travis Lovett on his 500-kilometre Walk for Truth from Portland on Gunditjmara Country, to Parliament House on Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Country in Melbourne, to hear firsthand of the Commission's work.

Along the way, you'll hear testimonies from Elders and Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, reflections from researcher Dr Matthew Keynes, and insights into how truth-telling can transform education, policy, and our shared future.

Guests

Travis Lovett is a proud Kerrupmara/Gunditjmara man and Traditional Owner and the Deputy Chair and Commissioner of the Yoorrook Justice Commission.

Dr Matthew Keynes is a non-Indigenous scholar working on unceded and sovereign Wurundjeri land. His research investigates the ways that education contributes to justice, peace, and social transformation by repairing historical injustices and legacies of violence.

Links

• Yoorrook Justice Commission Truth Archive
• Yoorrook Justice Commission Reports and Recommendations
• We have always been here by Dr Matthew Keynes
• National Indigenous Youth Education Coalition
• Truth-telling in early education by Gowrie Victoria
• Day Break by Amy McQuire
• How do you prepare your child for truth-telling? by Shelly Ware
• Teaching truth-telling: Children's Ground panel on YouTube

Credits

• Produced on Gadigal and Gunditjmara Country by Jane Curtis.
• Sound engineering by Jollyvolume.
• Production assistance from Alexandra Morris.
• Hosted by Tamson Pietsch.
• History Lab is produced by the Australian Centre for Public History at UTS and UTS Impact Studios.
• Impact Studios' executive producer is Sarah Gilbert. 

Thank you

This episode was made possible by Dusseldorp Forum, a family foundation committed to a just and equitable Australia, one that is caring, ethical and honours our First Peoples.

Special thanks to Rachel Fyfe and the Yoorrook team.