Thousands join Walk for Truth as Yoorrook Justice Commission truth-telling inquiry concludes
More than three thousand people are expected to join the final day of a 500-kilometre walk to mark the closure of Australia's first formal truth-telling process, the Yoorrook Justice Commission.
The four-year Aboriginal-led inquiry will become Victoria's longest-ever state-run royal commission when it formally concludes on June 30.
Since 2021, the inquiry has been tasked with establishing an official record of the history of colonisation of Victoria and its ongoing impacts on First Peoples.
In the inquiry's final weeks, Yoorrook Commissioner Travis Lovett has walked across half of the state in an attempt to raise awareness of the commission's historic work.
The Kerrupmara Gunditjmara traditional owner has already been joined by thousands of supporters on his 25-day Walk For Truth.
The walk began on Commissioner Lovett's traditional country near Portland, the earliest site of permanent European settlement in Victoria.
"It's about walking side by side, listening deeply with respect and taking steps toward a fairer Victoria for everyone."
Today the walk led by Commissioner Lovett is scheduled to arrive at Melbourne's Parliament house.
Yoorrook's final report is expected to be delivered to government in coming days and then made public sometime next month.
Over the last four years, Yoorrook has collected evidence from thousands of people as part of its comprehensive investigation into the past and ongoing impacts of colonisation in Victoria.
Designed and led by Victorian First Peoples, its mandate has been unprecedented in Australia.
It has heard from Stolen Generations survivors, elders, historians, experts and non-Indigenous advocates about the true impacts of colonisation and ways the state can improve outcomes for future generations.
In interim findings, Yoorrook, which means 'truth' in the Wamba Wamba language, uncovered evidence of grave and ongoing human rights abuses against First Peoples.
In September 2023, it called for sweeping reforms to Victoria's criminal justice and child protection systems.
Those proposals received a lukewarm reception from government, which now fully supports just six of the inquiry's 46 interim recommendations.
It is understood Yoorrook's final report will include more than 100 recommendations including changes to the way Victoria's history is taught in schools.
While this truth-telling process ends, it's expected a call for further and ongoing- truth-telling opportunities will be pushed for as part of state-wide Treaty negotiations.
Australia's first formal Treaty negotiations are now underway in Victoria, though Victoria's Liberal opposition no longer support a treaty between the state and First Peoples.
While Victoria has participated in joint state-Commonwealth royal commissions which have run for more than four years, upon its conclusion Yoorrook will become the longest ever state-run royal commission in Victoria.
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