Timeline
Process Unite was first discussed in 2018 with the Girringun Aboriginal Corporation Board of Directors who then endorsed the idea of Process Unite
August 2018 members of Girringun met with Jirrbal, Warrungnu, Gugu Badhun and Warrgamay people to discuss ideas in relation to Process Unite
These meetings culminated in a gathering with most groups at Hidden Valley, unfortunately 2 groups were unable to attend. It was generally agreed the system was ‘broken and needs fixing’. It was decided a soft strategic approach will be necessary to introduce the concept of Process Unite
VIEW THE ORIGINAL HIDDEN VALLEY STATEMENT HERE
Due to COVID restrictions 2020 stalled Process Unite
20th March 2021 Maja Coordinator Emily Puckey began working with Girringun and we’ll be meeting with members from the 9 groups to discuss the next steps of Process Unite including the Maja Meeting
9th April 2021 a Zoom meeting was held with facilitators Wayne Bergman and Ciaran O’Faircheallaigh to discuss an agenda for the Maja Meeting and possible discussions to be held with Traditional Owners on how to begin negotiations with the QLD Government regarding a Treaty and Compensation
17th April 2021 we met with Warrungu, Warrgamay and Gugu Badhun members who all said that something needed to be done to bring families and groups back together. They were also open to sending representatives to the Maja Meeting in June.
19th April 2021 we attended Indigenous Voice community consultations in Townsville facilitated by Marcia Langton and Mick Gooda. An Indigenous Voice will be used to feedback to Government
5th May 2021 we met with Jirrbal members to discuss Process Unite and asked if they could perform a Welcome to country at Woodleigh Station for the Maja Meeting. They said they would like to have Jirrbal dancers and also a banner with their logo and acknowledgment that the Maja meeting was being held on Jirrbal country
May 2021 Girringun staff are busy organising the Maja Meeting, with accommodation and catering booked, and an Agenda being discussed with Facilitators.
10th May 2021 The Path to Treaty team are excited and ready to come and talk about the possibilities for a Treaty or Treaties and how this might look.
11th May 2021 Representatives from the Native Title Compensation Program Management Office at Queensland Treasury have confirmed they will be at the Maja Meeting to discuss possible compensation that could be applied for. see The Timber Creek Case
22nd May 2021 a Girringun Board Workshop will be held in Cardwell for the day so that Process Unite can be discussed with all of the 9 group representatives. This will provide the opportunity for questions and concerns to be discussed and a clearer understanding of Process Unite ready for the Maja Meeting in June
Process Unite Girringun Maja Gathering
Woodleigh Station 12 – 13 June 2021
12th June 2021 // Day 1 of the meeting opened with a GAC Internal Meeting and an update from GAC Chief Executive Officer Phil Rist on Process Unite.
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After smoko Phil introduced Wayne Bergmann and Ciaran O’Faircheallaigh who were invited by GAC to help facilitate the meeting, and provide information to participants on negotiations involving Indigenous peoples, governments and commercial interests. Wayne and Ciaran have between them over 50 years experience in these negotiations, not just in many parts of Australia but also in Canada and Papua New Guinea.
Over two meeting sessions Ciaran and Wayne presented information on key issues for GAC and Girringun PBCs and members to think about in considering and preparing for negotiations. Participants asked Wayne and Ciaran many questions and the answers generated a lot of additional information.
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In the final session of Day 1 the Queensland Government’s Treaty Advancement Committee made a presentation, setting out the steps taken by Queensland so far in establishing a process (‘Tracks to Treaty’) for developing a Treaty between the State of Queensland and Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The Committee also set out what it expects to be the next steps in the ‘Tracks to Treaty’ process, which include setting up an Institute to develop concrete proposals for a Treaty, and what the government calls a Truth Telling commission.
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In response to questioning by meeting participants the Committee confirmed that ‘Truth Telling’ would not be forced on anyone. It also confirmed that while funding for ‘Tracks to Treaty’ will be included in the Queensland Budget this year, there is no specific proposal at the moment for funding for negotiations on Treaty between the Queensland government and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
13th June 2021 // Day 2 began with an Internal Meeting to debrief from Day 1. This was followed by a presentation by staff from the Queensland Treasury Department on the Queensland Government’s approach to Native Title Compensation, following on from the High Court’s Timber Creek decision.
Meeting participants asked a number of questions to clarify the Government’s approach. In response to questions about funding for negotiations on Compensation, Treasury staff stated that they have submitted a proposal to the Government for a ‘Support Package’ to help native title holders to organise for and take part in negotiations on compensation. However, this Package hadn’t yet been approved.
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After the Queensland government staff left participants and Ciaran and Wayne had a debrief session. The Board members of GAC who were present then held a short Board meeting to check that there was agreement on how to move forward. After this meeting the following resolution (photo from whiteboard below) was put to the meeting:
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At the Process Unite Girringun Maja Gathering on 12 – 13 June 2021 people attending support to continue discussions with PBCs and members to prepare for discussions on Compensation and Treaty.
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The resolution was moved by Joyce Wallis, seconded by Victor Bligh and approved unanimously by those attending the meeting.
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Over coming weeks GAC will be in touch with PBCs and members about involving them in these discussions.
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