A moment of truth: Recording a country’s painful past

A major investigation is underway, an Australian first, unearthing a long-buried history hidden from the national narrative. It’s called Yoorrook, the Wemba Wemba word for “truth”(link to ABC story).

This truth-telling inquiry has spent years collecting testimony from hundreds of First Nations and non-Indigenous people, revealing the scale of atrocities and the failure of governments to reckon with the past.

Victoria’s Yoorrook Justice Commission is not a criminal investigation. It won’t bring charges or punish those who benefited. It has answered the call of communities who have wanted to finally document the crimes of the past

Watch as Four Corners examines how we as a nation reckon with our colonial past and take critical steps towards truth, healing and justice — Monday from 8:30pm on ABC TV and ABC iview.