Truth Telling in Classrooms
Earlier this year, I was invited to participate in a truth telling session hosted by the Art and Culture Exchange on Burramattagal Country. The session was part of the 23rd Sydney Biennale and brought together Darug custodians and the National Committee of the Friends of Myall Creek to yarn about frontier conflict and healing.
We shared stories and reflected on the role of truth in both the history of Australia and also in today’s society. We spoke about the impact of not knowing – both for First Nations communities and the broader Australian community - and the place education has in steering us as a nation towards a better future that focuses on recognition, respect and healing.
It was one of those experiences that affirms why I do what I do. As I soaked in the stories shared, I felt sad about some of the experiences being spoken about; I felt angry at the ongoing policy in this country that denies truth and perpetuates myths that are not good for my mob; and I felt pride, because, gee, First Nations people and our allies are deadly! We get up day after day and continue to fight for truth. We stand up for the recognition of truth and for change in the way Australia works with the custodians of this land. We show up every day to drive a fairer world for our next generations.
One thing was very clear from the yarns at the truth telling session and that is that the time for truth is now. Not surprisingly, education was a big focus of the conversation with resounding agreement that education is key to sharing truth and moving Australia forward in its relationship with its First Nations. Teachers shared their stories of the pushback they had received when bringing content into the classroom – both from parents and the education system. These stories are familiar to me because I hear them every day in my work. They are familiar to me because I heard them every day in my own education.
It is not ok that schools are not embracing truth. Students have a right to be accurately informed, to learn true history, to know the true foundations of this country – the good and the bad - so they can develop an understanding of why Aboriginal policy is where it is, why there is so much work still to be done and how best to work with Aboriginal communities to drive real solutions.
Previous generations did not get truth at school. Aboriginal education has always been patchy and truth has never been the focus. Kids today deserve better. They should know the truth – it is the only way they can support better ways of working. I understand why some people think withholding the truth is better for kids - our history is challenging, it is confronting, it is unpleasant, but it should not be as surprising as it is to so many adults. We don’t need to keep living the same lies. We don’t need policy makers attempting to censor truth under misguided beliefs that children cannot hear truth in an age-appropriate way. We need to embrace truth-telling.
Just after the truth telling session I had a conversation with a friend and her 12-year old, Ms B. I shared my reflections about the truth telling session and in particular shared a discussion that took place about not calling a massacre a massacre (you can read more about that here https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/may/03/not-calling-a-massacre-a-massacre-is-ridiculous-a-model-of-truth-telling-at-myall-creek) and Ms B very matter-of-factly said ‘That’s silly! It already happened and not talking about it doesn’t make it not have happened so why don’t people talk about it? Everyone should know!’
Imagine a world where adults are as accepting of truth as kids. Where all Australians learn true history as children so that the truth is not a shock when discovered as adults, or worse, never known. We can all contribute to that world and the time is now. Embrace truth and Get up! Stand up! Show up!
