Uncovering the truth about Australia’s violent past | Four Corners

Key Concepts

• Yorta Yorta country/First Nations peoples
• The Killing Times/Massacres
• Truth and Justice Commissions
• Uruk/Truthtelling
• Colonial acquisition/Colonization
• Gunditjmara
• Convincing Ground
• Henty brothers
• Highland Brigade
• Waral Creek Massacre
• Lake Condah Mission
• Stolen Generations
• Half-Caste Act/Aborigines Protection Act (1886)
• Treaty

The Killing Times and the Need for Truthtelling

The video opens by establishing the historical context of Australia's colonization, highlighting the violence and land seizure experienced by Aboriginal people, specifically in Yorta Yorta country. It emphasizes that the narrative has been one-sided, obscuring the atrocities committed against tens of thousands of Aboriginal men, women, and children during what is known as the "Killing Times." The video underscores the long-standing call from Aboriginal people for non-indigenous Australians to confront this history.

The Victorian Royal Commission: Uruk (Truthtelling)

The video focuses on the Victorian Royal Commission into Aboriginal history, named "Uruk," meaning "telling the truth" in the Wamba Wamba language. This commission is described as the most extensive investigation ever held into Australia's dark past, uniquely led by Aboriginal people. The aim is to uncover the true story of what happened to Aboriginal people, which has been largely unknown or ignored.

Personal Stories and the Impact of the Past

The video presents several personal stories to illustrate the ongoing impact of historical trauma.

• Paul Briggs (Yorta Yorta Elder): Shares a story of a non-indigenous man who confessed his grandfather's involvement in "hunting" Aboriginal people, highlighting the burden of unacknowledged guilt and the need for non-Aboriginal people to acknowledge their role in history.
• Travis Lovett (Aboriginal Commissioner): Discusses the disproportionate rates of homelessness, incarceration, and child protection involvement among Aboriginal people, linking these issues to the historical decimation of his people. He emphasizes the importance of getting the truthtelling process right for both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people.
• Kesha Day (Gunditjmara Woman): Takes the commission to the Convincing Ground, the site of Victoria's first recorded massacre, where a group of Gunditjmara people were killed by whalers. She highlights the need to remember and tell the stories of those who died. She also advocates for the removal of monuments celebrating colonizers like the Henty brothers.

The Henty Brothers and Early Settler Brutality

The video delves into the history of the Henty brothers, early settlers in Portland Bay, who seized land and resources from the Gunditjmara people. It cites the diaries of George Augustus Robinson, the so-called Chief Protector of Aborigines, which detail the "reign of terror" perpetrated by the Henties and their fellow colonizers. Robinson's journals describe the settlers' brutal treatment of Aboriginal people, who were "worse treated than slaves."

The Waral Creek Massacre and Elizabeth Boulderstone's Story

The video shifts focus to the Waral Creek massacre, where at least 125 Brataualung people were killed in 1843. Elizabeth Boulderstone, a non-indigenous farmer whose property overlooks the massacre site, shares her story of learning about the massacre and her decision to fence off the site and invite traditional owners to visit. She encourages other landholders to connect with Aboriginal communities and address the history of their land.

The Half-Caste Act and the Stolen Generations

The video explores the Aborigines Protection Act of 1886, also known as the Half-Caste Act, which led to the forced removal of children of mixed descent from their families and communities, contributing to the Stolen Generations. Peter Sharp, the great-grandson of Alfred Deakin, the Prime Minister who passed the Act, shares his discovery of his ancestor's role in this policy and offers a personal apology.

The Commission's Findings and Recommendations

The video highlights the commission's findings regarding the enduring effects of colonization on First Nations people and its recommendations for addressing injustices in various sectors, including criminal justice, child protection, land, water, education, health, and housing. It emphasizes the need for accountability and systemic change.

Treaty Negotiations and the Future

The video concludes with the beginning of treaty negotiations between the Victorian government and the First Peoples' Assembly. It acknowledges the challenges and anxieties surrounding the treaty process, particularly in light of the failed Voice referendum and the waning political will on indigenous affairs at the federal level. The video emphasizes the importance of truth, acceptance, and understanding in building a better future for all Australians.

Notable Quotes

• Paul Briggs: "Paul you were out hunting your people."
• George Augustus Robinson: "These poor creatures are worse treated than slaves they are made use of and are destroyed with impunity."
• Elizabeth Boulderstone: "It's a shared journey and and I hope that others will see that."
• Peter Sharp: "I am personally profoundly sorry."
• Anthony North: "No longer can we in the non-indigenous community say that we did not know."

Technical Terms and Concepts

• Megafauna: Extinct giant animals that existed in Australia during the Pleistocene epoch.
• Squatters: Early European settlers who occupied land without legal title.
• Chief Protector of Aborigines: A government official responsible for the welfare of Aboriginal people, though often ineffective and complicit in colonial violence.
• Half-Caste Act/Aborigines Protection Act (1886): Victorian legislation that defined Aboriginality based on mixed descent and enabled the forced removal of children from their families.
• Stolen Generations: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who were forcibly removed from their families by Australian governments and church missions.
• Treaty: A formal agreement between the government and First Nations peoples, aimed at addressing historical injustices and establishing a new relationship based on self-determination.

Logical Connections

The video progresses logically from establishing the historical context of colonization and violence to examining the ongoing impact of these events on Aboriginal people today. It uses personal stories and case studies to illustrate the commission's findings and recommendations. The video concludes by looking towards the future, with a focus on treaty negotiations and the potential for reconciliation.

Data and Statistics

• Aboriginal people are 10 times more likely to engage in homelessness services in Victoria.
• Aboriginal people are 15 times more likely to be incarcerated in a Victorian jail system.
• Aboriginal people are 22 times more likely to come into contact with child protection services.
• The volume of gold extracted from Victorian lands since 1851 is estimated at $287.4 billion.
• The total revenue received by the Victorian government from water for the 13-year period is just over $83 billion, with zero distributed directly to First Nations.

Synthesis/Conclusion

The video presents a powerful and comprehensive account of the historical injustices suffered by Aboriginal people in Victoria, Australia. It highlights the importance of truthtelling, accountability, and systemic change in addressing the enduring effects of colonization. The video emphasizes the need for non-indigenous Australians to confront their history and work towards a more just and equitable future for all. The ongoing treaty negotiations represent a crucial step in this process, but the video also acknowledges the challenges and anxieties surrounding reconciliation in a context of waning political will.