The Yoorrook Justice Commission is conducting a significant inquiry into the effects of colonization on Indigenous Victorians, with powerful testimonies such as that of Aunty Eva-Jo Edwards, who was forcibly removed from her family as a child in 1968.

Edwards shares her traumatic childhood experiences in institutions, emphasizing the long-lasting impacts of such policies on Aboriginal families, including the tragic fate of her baby brother, who died by suicide after a troubled life.

The commission has received over 1,300 submissions detailing various injustices faced by Aboriginal people and has proposed 100 recommendations for reparations, which include land restitution and monetary compensation.

The establishment of a treaty would represent a historic first in Australia, addressing both historical injustices and contemporary issues faced by Aboriginal communities, as no formal treaty has been negotiated with Indigenous peoples to date.

As an Aboriginal community liaison officer, Edwards advocates for a treaty between the state and Aboriginal Victorians, stressing the need for Indigenous self-determination and accountability to create positive outcomes for her community.

Elder Henry Atkinson and community engagement officer Jarvis Atkinson also share their experiences, highlighting the necessity of a treaty and the importance of equality in the education and justice systems for Aboriginal youth.

The article concludes with a call to recognize the significance of Aboriginal history and culture in the broader Australian narrative to foster understanding and reconciliation.

Both Atkinsons call for an education system that respects Aboriginal culture and history, believing that a treaty would pave the way for better outcomes for Indigenous Australians and contribute positively to society as a whole.