The Yoorrook Justice Commission is the first formal truth-telling process into historical and ongoing injustices experienced by First Peoples in Victoria.
How did we get here?
What will Yoorrook do?
Yoorrook will look into both past and ongoing injustices experienced by Traditional Owners and First Peoples in Victoria in all areas of life since colonisation.
Yoorrook will:
Establish an official record of the impact of colonisation on Traditional Owners and First Peoples in Victoria.
Develop a shared understanding among all Victorians of the impact of colonisation, as well as the diversity,
strength and resilience of First Peoples' cultures.
strength and resilience of First Peoples' cultures.
Make recommendations for healing, system reform and practical changes to laws, policy and education, as well as to matters to be included in future treaties.
See Yoorrook’s Letters Patent that set out its mandate in detail.
How will Yoorrook run its inquiry?
Yoorrook will:
Hear stories and gather information from First Peoples in Victoria on their experience of past and ongoing injustices and how their cultures and knowledge has survived.
Support First Peoples to choose how they wish to share their experiences and to avoid experiencing further trauma.
Closely examine information that is already available and seek new information in areas where there are gaps in knowledge
Seek information and data from the Victorian Government and other institutions to give evidence about current and past practices and policies.
Make recommendations for systems change and practical changes to laws, policy and practices.
We are currently designing the process for gathering information and submissions from Traditional Owners and First Peoples. This will include the type of support that will be available to those who participate in Yoorrook’s processes.
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