Land Injustice videos

Uncle Johnny Lovett – The history of country Victoria needs to hear

“I’m in no one else’s country but my own…that’s a fact.”

Watch Uncle Johnny Lovett talk about the importance of Country and the history that Victoria needs to hear.

Yoorrook’s land, sky and waters hearings starting on 25 March. Commissioners will listen to truth telling about historic and ongoing injustice and First Peoples’ resistance, survival and ongoing connection to country.

Make a submission on land, sky and waters

Recent Videos

Close up of Deputy Chair of the Yoorrook Justice Commission Travis Lovett at a public hearing.

“This premier, is a double dispossession”

Chair of the Yoorrook Justice Commission Aunty Eleanor Bourke AM presenting at a public hearing.

Yoorrook Chair, Professor Eleanor Bourke AM opening statement

"Tell the Truth" on top of sand at a beach in Portland

Jim Berg poem submission to Yoorrook Justice Commission

Close up Uncle Gary Murray from earlier in his life advocating for First Peoples rights

“Justice will only come about if land rights becomes a reality”

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan talking about the distress of learning of the massacres of First People at a Yoorrook public hearing

Premier Allan tells of distress at massacres of First Peoples

One of the most significant land rights cases in Victoria’s history

Lily D'Ambrosio MP, Minister for Climate Action, Energy & Resources at a public hearing

Lily D’Ambrosio MP, Minister for Climate Action, Energy & Resources

Close up of Lily D'Ambrosio MP at a Yoorrook Public hearing

The Hon. Lily D’Ambrosio MP

The Hon. Natalie Hutchins MP on the importance and benefits of self-determination.

Rueben Berg explains connection to environment passed down by his ancestors

More Land Injustice videos

In yarns & submissions, First Peoples are telling Yoorrook about the importance of land, sky & water and the impact of colonisation. Hear what they have to say.

Close up of Deputy Chair of the Yoorrook Justice Commission Travis Lovett at a public hearing.

“This premier, is a double dispossession”

“This premier, is a double dispossession” Yoorrook Deputy Chair Travis Lovett states in his opening remarks to Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan at yesterday’s Land, Sky and Water Hearings.

Chair of the Yoorrook Justice Commission Aunty Eleanor Bourke AM presenting at a public hearing.

Yoorrook Chair, Professor Eleanor Bourke AM opening statement

“We cannot secure justice for First Peoples without transforming the laws and policies which by design, continue to disadvantage us.”

"Tell the Truth" on top of sand at a beach in Portland

Jim Berg poem submission to Yoorrook Justice Commission

A powerful rallying cry for truth in this poem by Jim Berg, made as part of his submission to the Yoorrook Justice Commission

Close up Uncle Gary Murray from earlier in his life advocating for First Peoples rights

“Justice will only come about if land rights becomes a reality”

“No government in Australian whether they be commonwealth or state or local have done anything in any real sense of the word to alleviate the conditions facing aboriginal peoples in this country” – Uncle Gary Murray

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan talking about the distress of learning of the massacres of First People at a Yoorrook public hearing

Premier Allan tells of distress at massacres of First Peoples

“It brings me a sense of shame and distress that [massacres were committed] by people in the pursuit of taking land off First Peoples.”

One of the most significant land rights cases in Victoria’s history

‘We went and camped there and got death threats and everything…my two children were with me…we lived out there.’

Lily D'Ambrosio MP, Minister for Climate Action, Energy & Resources at a public hearing

Lily D’Ambrosio MP, Minister for Climate Action, Energy & Resources

Watch Lily D’Ambrosio MP, Minister for Climate Action, Energy & Resources, speak with emotion about the power of truth telling and the work that still needs to be done.

Close up of Lily D'Ambrosio MP at a Yoorrook Public hearing

The Hon. Lily D’Ambrosio MP

Counsel Assisting asked Minister for Climate Action, Energy & Resources, the Hon. Lily D’Ambrosio MP if the amount of money made from mineral resources extracted in Victoria over generations “compel governments to secure the economic prosperity of First Nations people?” Minister D’Ambrosio answered “yes”.

The Hon. Natalie Hutchins MP on the importance and benefits of self-determination.

“Where we have handed power and resources to First Nations organisations we have seen some of the most extraordinary outcomes in Closing the Gap targets.”

Rueben Berg explains connection to environment passed down by his ancestors

“The scar trees are a powerful reminder of the connection we have to the land.”

Ngarra Murray on the importance of cultural heritage

“I think that is something we can all share and celebrate – our culture and languages.”

Minister for Environment, Hon. Steve Dimopoulos MP on the government exclusion of traditional owners

Minister for Environment, Hon. Steve Dimopoulos MP admits that between 2010-2023, the Victorian government received over $1.89 billion in revenue from grazing, forestry and public land licenses – but not a single dollar was distributed to traditional owners.

Professor Henry Reynolds – Code Of Silence

Why don’t more Victorians know about the massacres that happened during colonisation? Perhaps because even talking about it at the time was taboo.

Uncle Johnny Lovett – The history of country Victoria needs to hear

“I’m in no one else’s country but my own…that’s a fact.” Watch Uncle Johnny Lovett talk about the importance of Country and the history that Victoria needs to hear.

Surveyor-General of Victoria, Craig Sandy apology

Yoorrook commissioners heard a historic apology from Craig Sandy, Surveyor-General of Victoria at today’s land, sky and waters hearing.

Close up photo of Aunty Sandra Onus discussing her fight for First Peoples land rights in Victoria

One of the most significant land rights cases in Victoria’s history – Onus vs. Alcoa

Gunditjmara Elder Aunty Sandra Onus explains why she and Aunty Christina Frankland took on Alcoa to prevent them from damaging cultural sites located on the proposed site of a smelter in Portland.

Suzanna Henty presenting her families legacy of injustices against First People at a Yoorrook public hearing

The Henty legacy

Watch Suzannah Henty, a sixth generation descendant of some of Victoria’s first colonisers, speak about what she wants to see happen next.

Aunty Jill Gallagher speaks truth

“Our culture is ancient and our culture is strong, yet we still suffer the wrongs of the past. With tears on the landscape and scars on our heart, our truth needs to be told.”

Dignity for our ancestors

At Yoorrook’s land, sky and waters hearing, Distinguished Professor Marcia Langton discussed the disturbing trade in the remains of First Peoples and the ongoing challenges this practice created to identifying, repatriating and treating deceased people with the dignity and respect they deserve.

Victoria’s history of violence

It’s time to talk about Victoria’s history of violence. Watch Dr Bill Pascoe speak about the scale and impact of massacres perpetrated against First Peoples.

Why is language revitalisation essential?

Watch Dr. Vicki Couzens explains at Yoorrook’s Land, Sky & Water hearings. Dr Couzens is Senior Knowledge Holder for Possum Skin Cloak Story and Gunditjmara Mother Tongue.

Land, Sky, Waters: Gunditjmara resistance

In south western Victoria is Budj Bim where Gunditjmara people lived for thousands of generations.

The birth of colonisation

In 1834, the Henty’s took Gunditjmara land to establish the first permanent colonial settlement in Victoria

Commissioner Hunter listening to a talk about Lake Condah Mission with the mission in the background

The impact of the Half-Caste Act at Lake Condah Mission

The so called Half-Caste Act had a devastating and long-lasting impact on First Peoples in Victoria.

Nalin from First Peoples of the Millewa-Mallee talking at a Yoorrook yarn

First Peoples of the Millewa-Mallee Yoorrook yarn

Listen to Nalin Moore Ngintait talk about the Yoorrook and First Peoples of the Millewa-Mallee Aboriginal Corporation yarn on land, sky and waters.

Why are land, sky and waters important?

In yarns and submissions, First Peoples are telling Yoorrook about the importance of land, sky & water and the impact of colonisation.

Uncle Colin Walker talking about coming together to care for Country in-front of a black background

Uncle Colin Walker talks coming together to care for Country

Watch Senior Yorta Yorta Elder Uncle Colin Walker explain the importance of coming together to care for country and preserve sacred sites.

Cape Conran beach, the ocean is blue on the right surrounded by a rocky-sandy beach with that leads into a lush green forest

Cultural heritage at Cape Conran

Watch Sam Pender and Commissioner Travis Lovett talk about the significance of Cape Conran and the impact of ignoring cultural heritage.

Other Topics

History

Shed light on and learn the “hidden truth” of the colonisation of Victoria.

Close up hands performing a smoking ceremony at a Welcome to Country.

Housing Videos

Yoorrook heard how today’s housing crisis stems from colonisation. Darren Smith, from Aboriginal Housing Victoria, said “you can draw a line”. Learn more.

Health Videos

Commissioners heard extensive evidence of past and ongoing racism and discrimination within Victoria’s health services, both for individuals requiring health care and Aboriginal organisations providing care. Learn more.

Aunty Jill Gallagher and Sheree Lowe discuss the health system in the Yoorrook hearing room.

Social Justice Videos

Watch what Yoorrook has heard about systemic injustice experienced by First Peoples in Victoria in relation to health, education, housing and economic life.

Land Injustice videos

In yarns & submissions, First Peoples are telling Yoorrook about the importance of land, sky & water and the impact of colonisation. Hear what they have to say.

Jedah wearing Aboriginal Body Art outdoors infront of a fire put while discussing how the Victorian education system be improved for First Peoples

Education videos

How do First Peoples students experience the Victorian education system and how could it be improved? Yoorrook is looking into the barriers First Peoples face in accessing all levels of education, as well as the racism many still endure within the system. Now is the time to have your say by making a submission.

Yoorrook For Justice: Report into Victorias child protection and criminal justice systems

Yoorrook for Justice

The Yoorrook for Justice report is the culmination of Yoorrook’s year-long inquiry into Victoria’s child protection and criminal justice systems.

Yoorrook Events

The Yoorrook NAIDOC events included an Elders Panel that featured Yoorrook Chair Aunty Eleanor Bourke and Uncle Kevin Coombs.

Submissions

All First Peoples who have experienced injustice in Victoria are strongly encouraged to make a submission to the Yoorrook Justice Commission.