'Get on board or get out of the way': Cherbourg community goes it alone on truth-telling

# Aboriginal elder tells government to get out of the way as Cherbourg community reclaims truth-telling process Aunty Kathleen Hopkins was one of many elders who shared their lived experience in Cherbourg. (ABC News: Curtis Rodda) Kathleen Hopkins has tearfully explained how her identity and memories dissolved after a traumatic and life-changing event when she was a small child. "They came and grabbed us from my mother," she told those who travelled to support truth-telling about the history of Queensland. "That was the state people for you. They are supposed to look after you, but they took you." Children have lunch in Cherbourg in the 1950s. (Used with permission from the Rationshed Museum) As a young girl, Ms Hopkins remembered being removed from her parents and sent to live at the Cherbourg girl's dormitory with her siblings. Over time her sisters ran away from the dormitory, leaving her behind. The respected elder was one of about 10 community members who shared their experiences of growing up in Cherbourg's Aboriginal settlement. "I never knew myself. I forgot my brothers and my sisters. I didn't know their names." Many elders shared their stories at the community truth-telling event. (ABC News: Curtis Rodda) Monday's event was scheduled as the first formal public hearing in the state's south-east as part of Queensland's formal Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry. Two weeks ago the schedule changed. The new LNP government reiterated that it would repeal the legislation underpinning the inquiry and that future hearings must be placed on hold. But this did not deter the community from proceeding with its planned meeting. Young boys were separated from their mothers at the age of five and placed in the boys dormitory. (ABC News: Curtis Rodda) Charlie Watson told his story of growing up on Wakka Wakka country to about 200 non-Indigenous and Indigenous attendees. "We were in jail, locked in on country here," he said, describing the boundaries they were confined to when Aboriginal people from across Queensland were forcibly moved to the settlement from 1901 under government policies, or "protection acts". Around 200 Indigenous and non-Indigenous people united to bear witness to the confronting testimonies. (ABC News: Curtis Rodda) In the cool shade of the former ration shed, now a museum, the elders explained how they had to get permits from the superintendent just to meet with family or go shopping 6 kilometres away in the nearest town. If they spoke their own language they would be "put in jail". It was an open forum for anyone who felt comfortable sharing their personal family experiences of this time. Uncle Eric Law acknowledged the "courage" of those willing to sit and listen. (ABC News: Curtis Rodda) Judith Brown recalled that her oldest brother was playing marbles when he became frustrated with a young non-Indigenous girl who had been "humbugging them", and he chased her away. "The superintendent, he got hold of him, and he was sent to Palm Island," she said. "He was about 14, I believe, at the time. We never saw him again until he was in his 30s." With the truth-telling event now facilitated entirely by the community, Wakka Wakka Elder Eric Law AM explained his own complicated history that included taking on the role of superintendent, effectively policing his people. Uncle Eric Law led the community hearings and was heartened by those who opted to share their stories. (ABC News: Curtis Rodda) He said it was his job to give out the permits to leave the community right up until 1986. "I refused to sign the permits," he said. "I said no, and that pissed them all off in Brisbane, but didn't worry me," said Mr Law, the chair of the Elders Advisory Group. A smoking ceremony was held to open the hearings. (ABC News: Curtis Rodda) Mr Law is again taking a fearless position with the new political leaders for their approach to Indigenous policies. "I think what this government did [on the] first day is to pick the most vulnerable group, which was us, and knock us around and walk away," he told the ABC. ## For future generations The crowd stood for a minute's silence in respect for those who had passed. Frank Malone shared his experiences as a child with hundreds of attendees. (ABC News: Curtis Rodda) "Sadly, up in our cemetery, there are elders who went to their graves with sad eyes because they couldn't tell their story," Frank Malone said. Mr Malone, a former rugby player who now works at the Cherbourg state school, said he grew up with the belief that having to get permission to leave was normal and that it was normal for the dormitory kids to wear different school uniforms. "We will always be second-class citizens in this wonderful country of ours," he said. "You know, for us to come together, work together, walk together, this is where it starts." Cherbourg Mayor Bruce Simpson says "politics doesn't govern our truth". (ABC News: Curtis Rodda) Mayor Bruce Simpson, a Wakka Wakka and Wangan man, said the suspension of the inquiry sent shockwaves through the community and renewed mistrust of the government. "No, this is our truth. This is our stories. We want to tell our history for Cherbourg," he said. "We want to make it self-determining, and politics doesn't govern our truth." The elders decided that in reclaiming the day that the theme would be: "Our history, our stories, our voices" The Wakka Wakka Dancers performed at the event. (ABC News: Curtis Rodda) ## Handing back their testimony Last week, inquiry members travelled to Cherbourg to hand back testimonial evidence provided as preliminary disclosures in anticipation of formal hearings that have now been cancelled. Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry members met with elders to hand back testimonial evidence. "There was an element of sadness from the elders and my team that the journey we started we couldn't finish," inquiry chair Joshua Creamer told the ABC. He said not having a formal inquiry process and the support it offered to communities would "diminish the strength of the truth-telling process". "We know that without the support of government and a strong robust process like an inquiry, the impact of that truth-telling hasn't really resonated across Queensland and the rest of the country," he said. The truth-telling and healing inquiry is yet to have a meeting with the new government ministers despite repeated attempts to organise one, and Mr Creamer says there has been no communication about when or how the inquiry will be disbanded. "That's five contacts now and attempts to meet, and I have not had a response," he said. David Crisafulli is yet to meet with members of the Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry since his decision to scrap the process. (Supplied: AAP) On Monday, in response to elders' calls for the Queensland government to reconsider, Premier David Crisafulli stood his ground and said his government would "be working with them to drive real change and real opportunities in those communities". Former Queensland treaty minister and Quandamooka woman Leeanne Enoch was in Cherbourg for the sharing session. Former Queensland treaty minister and Quandamooka woman Leeanne Enoch speaks with Cherbourg elders. (ABC News: Curtis Rodda) "The now-premier said as this path to treaty legislation would be repealed, that there would be decency and respect," the shadow minister for closing the gap and reconciliation said. "And we're not seeing that right now, and that's a great disappointment." Cherbourg's elders chose to make a recording of the session, which will be kept at the ration shed museum, but there was also an offer for private sessions led by the elders. Cherbourg is home to just over 1,000 people. (ABC News: Curtis Rodda) Despite what the government decides, this community says you cannot look forward without looking to the past. Andrea Collins, who was born and raised in Cherbourg, said the community's experiences were a reminder for governments: "You're elected to govern, not control, never to control." "Making legislation for this, and making legislation for that, it's just all hogwash," she said. It was a sentiment echoed by former mayor Sam Murray. "It takes courage for people to tell the story, but it also takes courage for people to sit there and listen to it," he said. "Politicians, with all due respect, either get on board or get out of the way." Cherbourg is home to Aboriginal people from many nations across Queensland. (ABC News: Curtis Rodda)