Community Yarns

Community consultations

The ITTB have conducted 21 sessions across Queensland since March 2023. The purpose of these sessions was for the ITTB to gain community input into key design elements to support establishment of the Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry and the First Nations Treaty Institute—the centrepieces of the Act.

The Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry key function is to inquire and document the effects of colonisation on First Nations people. The First Nations Treaty Institute is independent of Government and will support the treaty-making process with particular regard to the interests of First Nations peoples.

What we heard

Community feedback to date have stressed the importance of the Truth-Telling and Healing Inquiry to consult and engage with First Nations peoples and all Queensland to guide the design and conduct of formal truth-telling.

The processes to select the Inquiry membership and Institute Council members needs to be transparent and accountable. A consultation summary will be published on our website to provide an overview of feedback gathered from community consultations.

What happens now

The ITTB have handed over their recommendations report to the Minister for Treaty, the Honourable Leeanne Enoch MP, on the establishment and appointment process for the First Nations Treaty Institute (Institute), Institute Council and Truth Telling and Healing Inquiry (Inquiry). It also provides advice on the Terms of Reference, that will provide governance for the Inquiry.

The ITTB community consultations held across the State this year, has informed the recommendations in the report. 

The Minister will now consider the report, to stand up these key structures over the coming months. The ITTB will continue to work with the department to assist with this process.