Australia has finally taken a significant step towards reconciliation with its Indigenous population by signing its first-ever treaty with Aboriginal people. The historic agreement, which marks more than 220 years since the state of Victoria was colonized, creates an assembly and establishes a truth-telling body to address the ongoing legacy of historical trauma.
The treaty process began in 2016, following years of activism and advocacy from Indigenous leaders and communities. It culminated in a formal ceremony at which members of the First Peoples Assembly gathered to sign the document. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan described the signing as marking a "new chapter" for the state, one that is built on truth, respect, and partnership.
The treaty's significance was acknowledged by Volker Turk, the United Nations human rights chief, who called it "historic" and transformative. The agreement aims to address the ongoing exclusion and discrimination faced by Indigenous Australians, resulting from centuries of colonization.
A key aspect of the treaty is the creation of a permanent First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria, which will have a direct voice in advising and shaping laws, policies, and practices that affect the lives of Indigenous people. This assembly represents a significant shift towards reconciliation and recognition of Indigenous sovereignty.
Jill Gallagher, a Gunditjmara woman and former commissioner of the Victorian Treaty Advancement Commission, hailed the treaty as "the story of the Aboriginal people's resistance." She expressed her happiness and sense of vindication, saying that the treaty marks a turning point in Australia's history where old wounds can begin to heal and new relationships can be built.
While the treaty is a significant step forward, it also highlights the long-overdue need for reconciliation and recognition. The fact that no treaty was ever signed in Australia during its colonization period serves as a painful reminder of this historical injustice.
The Australian people will now have the opportunity to witness the truth-telling body, known as the Yoorrook Justice Commission, reveal the stories of Indigenous Australians who were harmed by colonization. This process has been ongoing for years and provides a crucial platform for healing and reconciliation.
In conclusion, the signing of Australia's first treaty with Aboriginal people is a momentous occasion that marks a new chapter in the country's history. It represents a significant step towards reconciliation, recognition, and redress, and sets a precedent for other states to follow.
The treaty process began in 2016, following years of activism and advocacy from Indigenous leaders and communities. It culminated in a formal ceremony at which members of the First Peoples Assembly gathered to sign the document. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan described the signing as marking a "new chapter" for the state, one that is built on truth, respect, and partnership.
The treaty's significance was acknowledged by Volker Turk, the United Nations human rights chief, who called it "historic" and transformative. The agreement aims to address the ongoing exclusion and discrimination faced by Indigenous Australians, resulting from centuries of colonization.
A key aspect of the treaty is the creation of a permanent First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria, which will have a direct voice in advising and shaping laws, policies, and practices that affect the lives of Indigenous people. This assembly represents a significant shift towards reconciliation and recognition of Indigenous sovereignty.
Jill Gallagher, a Gunditjmara woman and former commissioner of the Victorian Treaty Advancement Commission, hailed the treaty as "the story of the Aboriginal people's resistance." She expressed her happiness and sense of vindication, saying that the treaty marks a turning point in Australia's history where old wounds can begin to heal and new relationships can be built.
While the treaty is a significant step forward, it also highlights the long-overdue need for reconciliation and recognition. The fact that no treaty was ever signed in Australia during its colonization period serves as a painful reminder of this historical injustice.
The Australian people will now have the opportunity to witness the truth-telling body, known as the Yoorrook Justice Commission, reveal the stories of Indigenous Australians who were harmed by colonization. This process has been ongoing for years and provides a crucial platform for healing and reconciliation.
In conclusion, the signing of Australia's first treaty with Aboriginal people is a momentous occasion that marks a new chapter in the country's history. It represents a significant step towards reconciliation, recognition, and redress, and sets a precedent for other states to follow.
this feels like a huge milestone for australia, but its not like they're catching up or something... its been years of activism and advocacy from indigenous leaders and communities, so its about time, right? 
the fact that no treaty was ever signed during colonization is still hard to believe, its like a dark chapter in history that we cant just forget. 
but i guess this treaty marks a new beginning, and maybe it can be the start of some real change. 
what do you guys think about this? should there be more treaties signed across australia?
, like it's a major step forward for Australia's Indigenous people. But at the same time, I know that there's still so much work to be done to make up for those 220 years of colonization and trauma... it's just crazy how long we've been ignoring these historical injustices 
. The fact that this treaty comes with a truth-telling body is massive, like it's gonna help bring healing and closure to these communities for real 
. But what really gets me is the permanent First Peoples' Assembly - it's about time Indigenous voices got heard and recognized 
. I'm excited to see where this treaty takes us, but let's not forget that reconciliation is an ongoing process... we gotta keep pushing forward 
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what's taken them so bloody long?! Like, 220 years of colonization and they're just now signing a treaty? 
I mean, I know it's a start, but come on, Australia! You've had centuries to get your act together. And the fact that it's finally happening feels like a victory for the Indigenous people, not just Australia as a whole 
. The idea of this First Peoples' Assembly having a direct voice in shaping laws and policies is bloody amazing 
. It's about time someone listened to their voices and gave them some real power. And can we talk about how long it took for the UN to acknowledge the historical trauma and exclusion faced by Indigenous Australians? Like, 7 years of activism and advocacy?! 
That's a whole lotta waiting around. 
Still, this is a big deal, and I'm glad it's finally happening. Fingers crossed it sets off a chain reaction of progress for Indigenous people everywhere 
it's about time we acknowledge the historical trauma & pain that's been inflicted upon them... like 220 yrs is a looong time to be colonized 
but i guess it's all about moving forward now 
. fingers crossed that other states follow suit and we can see some real change 
... but seriously tho, its kinda cool that they're finally tryin to make amends with their indigenous people 
... i just hope its not too late for them 
... what's the yoorrook justice commission even do? 
it's not just about makin' up for lost time but also about makin' things right 
and that truth tellin body is gonna be a wild ride 
gotta keep an eye on the Yoorrook Justice Commission, sounds like they're gonna spill all the tea 
This historic treaty is a huge leap forward in Australia's journey towards reconciliation with its Indigenous population. It's about time we acknowledge and address the injustices of the past 220 years. The fact that it took so long for this momentous occasion to happen is a testament to the resilience and determination of the Aboriginal people who have been fighting for their rights for centuries. Now, the hard work begins – healing old wounds, rebuilding relationships, and creating a new chapter in Australian history. 
. but i guess its better late than never? the fact that there's a truth-telling body now is def a positive step, at least some old wounds are gonna start to heal. i mean, its not like it's gonna erase the whole history of colonization and all the harm that was done, but maybe we can start to learn from our mistakes and move forward? 
I'm so relieved this has finally happened! The Australian government can't undo the centuries of trauma inflicted on Indigenous people, but at least they're taking steps in the right direction 
The fact that it took this long for Australia to finally acknowledge its Indigenous population with a treaty is a bit disheartening, don't you think? 
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. also, why did it take 220 years? so much time was wasted on denying the truth and ignoring indigenous rights. can't wait to see the truth-telling body do its thing and maybe finally bring some closure to all these historical trauma cases 
I'm also kinda excited to see the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria having a direct say in shaping laws & policies 
can anyone tell me more about how this treaty process works?
The fact that they're finally doing something about the trauma inflicted on Indigenous Australians is a huge step forward. But let's be real, this is just the tip of the iceberg. We need more concrete actions and commitments from the government to make sure this treaty doesn't just sit on a shelf. 
I need some concrete numbers and studies on how many people are actually benefiting from this treaty before I can give it a thumbs up.
This is such an important milestone for Australia... I mean, we're finally acknowledging the harm of colonization & taking steps towards healing 
We can't just leave the past in the past, we gotta confront it head-on