‘Truth Telling’ and hidden history, Cindy Solonec

Speakers after the Historians and Truth Telling Symposium. Rear l–r: John Maynard, Ann Curthoys, Sandra Harben, Ezra Jacobs Smith, Chris Owen, Elfie Shiosaki, Aileen Walsh, David Collard. Front L-R: Cindy Solonec, Alan Carter, Jenny Gregory, Fred Chaney, Kim Scott

The catch phrase ‘Truth Telling’ relates to Australia’s hidden history. The phrase evolved from a gathering of 250 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander delegates at Uluru in May, 2017 where their intent, on the behalf of Australia’s first peoples, was to explicitly uphold that we are sovereign peoples. That we want the government to recognise and support our sovereignty. 

The gathering covered five main areas: Sovereignty; Constitutional reform; Makarrata Commission; Truth-telling; and a Voice to Parliament. The discussions culminated in the Uluru Statement from the Heart (https://www.referendumcouncil.org.au/sites/default/files/2017-05/Uluru_Statement_From_The_Heart_0.PDF ).

Shortly after the 2017 gathering a report was delivered to the Prime Minister, Malcom Turnbull, on 5 August 2017. He rejected the document five months later on 26 October 2017. He claimed that he did not believe ‘such a radical change to our constitution’s representative institutions has any realistic prospect of being supported by a majority of Australians’ https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-26/indigenous-advisory-body-proposal-rejected-by-cabinet/9087856 ). Consequently, the ire of many Indigenous Australians and supporters was raised. In the words of NT activist Thomas Mayor, ‘Every time that Indigenous people build a voice that is strong enough to make a difference, the government destroys it . . . If it is enshrined in the constitution it will come through mandate of the Australian people’ (https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-30/wyatt-appoints-langton-calma-indigenous-voice-to-government/11652360 ).

Across the country momentum stirred to better educate the wider Australian community in support of our first peoples and confirm our place in Australia’s political landscape. Over a cuppa earlier this year, three thoughtful wudjella luminaries, Jenny Gregory, Alan Carter and Fred Chaney AO, agreed that it would be worthwhile to hold a symposium, whereby historians could present how they might contribute to the Uluru Statement, through Truth Telling.

The symposium took place in Perth with a well-attended ‘like-minded’ crowd who absorbed compelling and thought provoking presentations and discussions from several intellects who spoke to the topic. The speakers kept us in awe with their revelations, through Truth Telling. I’m sure, it is what the three luminaries had in mind.

My sincere thanks for this event are extended to Jenny Gregory who is not just the President of the History Council of WA, but a leader with tenacity and insightfulness when it comes, in the first instance, to issues of Western Australia’s history. As one of two Aboriginal representatives on the HCWA, I am grateful. Furthermore, thanks to the volunteers who helped in the lead up, on the day and beyond, the symposium.

Cindy Solonec – Indigenous Rep HCWA