Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Adeshola Ore

Victorian premier confronts ‘bloody stains of colonisation’ at historic Indigenous truth-telling inquiry

Victorian premier Jacinta Allan (right) receives a message stick from Commissioner Travis Lovett during a smoking ceremony ahead of the Yoorrook Justice Commission hearing in Melbourne on Monday.
Victorian premier Jacinta Allan receives a message stick from commissioner Travis Lovett ahead of the Yoorrook Justice Commission hearing. Photograph: Diego Fedele/AAP

The Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan, entered the Yoorrook Justice Commission’s hearing room on Monday holding a message stick bearing the names of the state’s Indigenous groups who have participated in the truth-telling process.

During a smoking ceremony ahead of the premier’s evidence, Travis Lovett, a deputy commissioner at the truth-telling inquiry and a Kerrupmara/Gunditjmara man, presented the premier with the message stick. He implored Allan to carry with her the stories of First Nations people who have put their “heart and soul” into the commission’s work.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.