The Ebony Institute has completed a discussion paper on the strengths and weaknesses of Australian and global experiences with truth-telling and truth-seeking to date (stage 1).
The Ebony Institute now wishes to build an evidence base to ensure the readiness of communities to engage in truth, justice and healing processes (stage 2).
The proposed research question is 'What are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities’ views on the best way to tell the truth in Australia?'.
The outcomes of stages 1 and 2 evidence will be disseminated widely with the intention of informing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, Peoples and organisations with an evidence-base grounded in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities’ views on truth, justice and healing.
This research project aims to answer the question 'What are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities’ views on the best way to tell the truth in Australia?'.
We will begin by going back to our existing Community Reference Group and Stakeholders (a group of thirty Aboriginal and Torres trait Islander community members, Elders, leaders and stakeholders) and ask them to review our methodology and draft sampling plan.
Our draft sampling plan uses purposive and snowball sampling to conduct a series of focus groups and semi-structured interviews with groups such:
- Existing Community Reference and Stakeholders Group
- Young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups
- Coalition of Aboriginal Peaks
- National Health Leadership Forum
- Traditional Owner Groups and Land Councils
- SNAICC & NATSILS
- Governance & nation-building groups
- Indigenous research groups
- State based groups
The end goal of the research is a stronger evidence base and framework for ensuring the readiness of communities to engage with truth-telling,
including recommendations for:
a. the social and emotional well-being needs of participants in truth-telling
b. ensuring processes are grounded in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sovereignty
c. exploring the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples post truth-telling in relation to healing, justice and change.
The Ebony Institute believes truth-telling is one of the critical components of enabling meaningful social change and self-determination for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
This research project will build on existing evidence bases and strong relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, communities and organisations to contribute to more informed decision-making and policy-making.
For more information visit: https://ebonyinstitute.com.au/our-projects/