Key Takeaways:
- The Victorian government has officially apologized to the First Peoples of Victoria for past injustices inflicted upon them through colonization.
- The apology acknowledges the harm inflicted on generations of First Peoples, including the taking of land, removal of children, and erasure of culture.
- The government recognizes the sovereignty of First Peoples in Victoria was never ceded and that colonization was rapid and violent.
- The apology is a step towards reconciliation and healing, with a commitment to building a future where the power taken is returned and the voices silenced are heard.
- The Victorian government has pursued a Statewide Treaty to create enduring change and uphold justice.
Introduction to the Apology
The Victorian government has taken a significant step towards reconciliation with the First Peoples of Victoria, with Premier Jacinta Allan delivering a formal apology for the harm inflicted upon them through colonization. The apology, which was read during a special sitting of parliament, acknowledges the past injustices and recognizes the sovereignty of First Peoples in Victoria was never ceded. The apology is a commitment to building a future where the power taken is returned and the voices silenced are heard.
The History of Colonization
The colonization of Victoria was a violent and rapid process that resulted in the taking of land, removal of children, and erasure of culture. The Yoorrook Justice Commission found that the laws and policies of the colonial and Victorian governments enabled these acts, not by accident but by design. The commission’s findings have transformed the way Victorians reckon with their state’s history and face the truths shared by elders, survivors, families, and community leaders. The apology acknowledges the harm inflicted on generations of First Peoples and marks the beginning of a new era, one that embraces truth, honours justice, and creates space for a shared future built in full view of the past.
The Apology
The apology is a heartfelt and sincere expression of regret for the harm inflicted upon the First Peoples of Victoria. Premier Allan said, "Decisions made in this Parliament over its long history have long denied the First Peoples of this land their rights and their self-determination. Today this Parliament becomes a place of reckoning, and that reckoning has meaning for all of us who call Victoria home." The apology acknowledges the tears shed in the dark, the silence that shadowed years, the childhood taken and never returned, and the stolen generations. It also acknowledges the violence committed under the banner of the state and the colony that came before it, and the neglect that allowed it to continue without consequence.
Commitment to Reconciliation
The apology is not just a gesture, but a commitment to building a future where the power taken is returned and the voices silenced are heard. The Victorian government has pursued a Statewide Treaty to create enduring change and uphold justice. The treaty is a negotiation agreement between equals, and it marks a new era in the relationship between First Peoples and the state. The government recognizes that words alone are not enough and that action is needed to address the injustices of the past. The apology is a promise to work with First Peoples to address injustice in all its guises and to create a future of equality and respect for all Victorians.
A New Era of Reconciliation
The apology marks a new era in the relationship between First Peoples and the state. It is a commitment to building a future where the past is acknowledged and respected, and where the voices of First Peoples are heard. The Victorian government has taken a significant step towards reconciliation, and it is now up to all Victorians to work together to create a future of equality and respect. The apology is a reminder that the past is not just a series of events, but a living and breathing part of the present. It is a call to action, a reminder that we must work together to create a future that is just and equitable for all.