We’re taking steps to prepare Queenslanders for treaty-making between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the Queensland Government and non-Indigenous people.
About the Path to Treaty
Path to Treaty is a shared path – for Queenslanders to come together in a joint commitment. This path will move us forward, equally, on this land we share.
By walking this path together, we are honouring generations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who have called for self-determination, truth-telling and agreement-making.
Queensland’s Path to Treaty journey began with the release of the Statement of Commitment in 2019, to reframe the relationship between the Queensland Government and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
This was followed by an Eminent Panel that started the treaty conversation with the support of a Treaty Working Group. This included public consultations on what a treaty or treaties might mean to all Queenslanders.
There was great support for a treaty from communities across the state with three major themes:
Inclusion: Treaty is a conversation for all Queenslanders, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous.
Reconciliation: Truth-telling and healing are at the heart of our journey towards treaty.
Treaty ready: That all Queenslanders feel ready and supported to participate equally in treaty negotiations – ‘treaty ready’.
Recommendations for reform
The Treaty Advancement Committee (Committee) came together to build on the work of the Eminent Panel and the Treaty Working Group and to provide recommendations to the Queensland Government on the next steps along the Path to Treaty.
The Committee met with peak bodies, local and state governments, and experts in different fields. They looked at treaty making practices—both nationally and internationally—to inform the recommendations in their report.
The Committee presented their report to the Queensland Government on 12 October 2021. The recommendations provided the foundation on which to build solid processes to see the treaty reform take shape.
The release of the Queensland Government Response to the recommendations of the Committee reaffirmed a commitment to the Path to Treaty reform, and more importantly strengthens how we get to treaty making in the future.
On 16 August 2022 the Queensland Government, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous Queenslanders signed Queensland’s Path to Treaty Commitment (PDF). The Commitment is a collective pledge to be courageous and curious, open to hearing the truth of our state’s history.
This historic Act is the first of its kind in Queensland, co-designed between the Interim Truth and Treaty Body and the Queensland Government.
The Act is the cornerstone for establishing the Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry (Inquiry) and the First Nations Treaty Institute (Institute).
How will the Act help to progress truth-telling and healing?
The Act provides the legal framework to commence truth-telling and healing in Queensland and to set up the Inquiry and the Institute.
The Inquiry will be held for three years, unless extended.
The Institute will provide ongoing support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through the truth-telling process.
Truth-telling will build understanding of Queensland’s shared history, so everyone can acknowledge the past and move forward respectfully. It will inform a way forward for Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the Queensland Government to work together in the future.
Next steps
The Inquiry will provide opportunities for all Queenslanders to engage with the truth-telling and healing process, if they wish. Details will be published on their website, once available. Information and updates will also be shared on this website and via the Path to Treaty e-newsletter.
Please note this mailbox has been set up by the Department to capture public enquiries while the Inquiry sets up its own communication channels.
Who's involved?
There are three ways truth-telling is being progressed in Queensland.
Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry
The Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry (Inquiry) is an important part of the truth-telling and healing process in Queensland. The Inquiry will:
provide a public platform for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous Queenslanders to tell their truth
listen to and record the stories shared
hold a formal and independent Inquiry into the historical and ongoing impacts of colonisation in Queensland
talk to Queenslanders about why the treaty process is important for a reconciled Queensland
inform education and develop shared understandings of First Nations cultures, histories, languages, and traditions
report its findings to the Queensland Government.
First Nations Treaty Institute
The First Nations Treaty Institute is a statutory body, operating independently from the Queensland Government to:
co-develop a treaty-making framework with the Queensland Government
support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to record the impacts and effects of colonisation on their communities to inform their participation in future treaty negotiations
consult, support and empower Aboriginal peoples, Torres Strait Islander peoples and representative entities in relation to scoping, initiating and participating in treaty negotiations with the state.
Queensland Government
The Queensland Government is:
working with public institutions to provide access to documents, records and information
preparing to participate in the Inquiry.
Queensland Government inquiry readiness is led by a Government Treaty Readiness Committee and overseen by a Ministerial Consultative Committee.
A robust recruitment process to select members for the Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry (Inquiry), and First Nations Treaty Institute (Institute) Council took place from late 2023 to early 2024.
Independent panels, that included both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation, assessed applications and made appointment recommendations.
The Inquiry and Institute were established under the Path to Treaty Act 2023, which came into effect on 26 April 2024, marking an important step for Queensland’s truth-telling and healing process.
The Inquiry and the Institute will give an opportunity for Queenslanders to come together to learn, share, listen and heal.
Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry
The Inquiry is an important part of the truth-telling and healing process in Queensland. It will act independently to provide a public platform to listen and record stories, educate and build understanding about First Nations history and culture, and make recommendations for next steps.
The Inquiry has features of a Commission of Inquiry but has been customised to facilitate the participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, by adopting a culturally appropriate and non-legalistic approach.
The Inquiry membership:
consists of five members, including the Chairperson
comprises a majority of members being Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples
reflects the gender diversity of Queensland
will hold full-time positions for the three-year term of the Inquiry, unless extended.
Inquiry members
Inquiry members will commence on 1 July 2024.
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Joshua is Waanyi and Kalkadoon with connections to Northwest Queensland. He is a barrister specialising in native title, human rights and class actions.
Mr Creamer is a current Commissioner in the Queensland Law Reform Commission; Chair of the Bar Association of Queensland, Indigenous Affairs Committee, Chair of the Griffith University Elders and First Peoples Knowledge Holders Advisory Board and member of the Griffith University Council.
He has appeared in a number of landmark class actions and is ranked in Chambers and Partners Asia-Pacific and Doyle’s Guide for his work in the native title jurisdiction.
Joshua was previously named National Indigenous Legal Professional of the Year, and was a member of the Board of Legal Aid Queensland and a past President of the Indigenous Lawyers Association of Queensland.
Mr Creamer has a Bachelor of Law/Bachelor of Arts and a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice from Griffith University.
Roslyn is a lawyer with a lifetime commitment to human rights and diversity and advancing the interests and rights of First Nations peoples.
Ms Atkinson is a former judge of the Supreme Court of Queensland during which time she served as Chair of the Queensland Indigenous Justice Committee and was a member of the national Indigenous Justice Committee of the National Judicial College of Australia.
She has also served as inaugural President of the Queensland Anti-Discrimination Tribunal, Hearing Commissioner of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunities Commission and Chair of the Queensland Law Reform Commission. Her honour was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to the judiciary and to law reform in Queensland.
Roslyn is a graduate of the University of Queensland and was awarded first class honours in her law degree. She is current Chair of Screen Australia, member of the Management Committee of LawRight and Independent Chair of the Covert Operations Committee.
Cheryl is a proud Guwamu woman and lifetime campaigner for Aboriginal rights, social and environmental justice. She is a renowned publisher, playwright, author, speaker, director, teacher, lecturer and traditional dancer.
Ms Buchanan is a founder of well-known community organisations including Aboriginal Legal, Medical Services and Childcare Centre in Brisbane, Black Community School and Black Resource Centre as well as Murrie Coo-ee (an Aboriginal publishing house).
She has also served as the first Aboriginal Commissioner with Queensland Corrective Services, and Chair of the Queensland and National Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committees. Cheryl is a former member of the Treaty Working Group and co-Chair of the Interim Truth and Treaty Body, and currently a Director of the Northern Basin Aboriginal Nations and Queensland Murray-Darling Catchments Limited, as well as a member of the State Library Board and executive member of the Indigenous Peoples Organisation.
Cheryl has a Bachelor of Arts and Diploma of Education (University of Queensland) and a Graduate Diploma of Natural and Cultural Resource Management (Deakin University); and has been awarded the Centenary Medal Commonwealth of Australia for Distinguished Services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities of Australia.
Ivan is a Wiradjuri and Filipino man and was the first Indigenous appointment as Judicial Registrar to the Federal Court of Australia. Mr Ingram is admitted to the Supreme Court of Queensland as a legal practitioner and enrolled on the High Court of Australia register of legal practitioner. He has spent much of his career practising in the field of native title. Ivan also holds an academic position with the Queensland University of Technology School of Law where he teaches First Nations legal history and legal realities.
Mr Ingram was previously the Chief Operating Officer for the Australian Indigenous Governance Institute and is a Doctor of Juridical Science candidate in the Indigenous People’s Law & Policy Program at the University of Arizona. He is a longstanding member of the Queensland Law Society, Indigenous Lawyers Association of Queensland and Pride in Law where he served as the Queensland Chapter's Indigenous Officer.
He is Chair of the Seed Indigenous Youth Climate Network, Director and Company Secretary of the Flying Arts Alliance, Director of the Digi Youth Arts and is a member of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee of the Queensland Performing Arts Trust.
Ivan has a Bachelor of Applied Science (Biotechnology) and Bachelor of Law (Honours) from Queensland University of Technology, and a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice (Australian National University).
Vonda is a Torres Strait Islander woman with connection to Erub (Darnley Island) and Cape York, with extensive professional experience in working to improve the health and wellbeing outcomes for the region and encouraging women and people in regional and remote communities to pursue leadership opportunities.
She is currently CEO of the Torres Strait Regional Authority and was previously the first female Mayor of the Torres Shire Council. Vonda has held Chair and executive positions with Community Enterprise Queensland, Islanders Board of Industry Service, Torres and Cape Indigenous Councils Alliance, Torres Health and other health organisations.
Ms Malone was named the McKinnon Emerging Political Leader of the Year in 2017, recognising her leadership as Mayor of the Torres Shire Council. She is a fellow of the Australian Rural Leadership Program, the United Nations Human Rights Commissioner's Indigenous Fellowship Program and also a recipient of the Centenary Medal and the NAIDOC Award of Excellence.
Vonda holds a Graduate Certificate in Australian Rural Leadership and Graduate Certificate in Public Sector Management.
Functions
The functions of the Inquiry include to:
conduct inquiries into and document the individual, familial, cultural and societal impacts and effects of colonisation on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by holding truth-telling sessions and hearings and inviting people to give documents and other evidence to the Inquiry
conduct research into, and promote community awareness and understanding of the impacts and effects of colonisation on:
Aboriginal peoples, law and tradition
Torres Strait Islander peoples, law and Ailan Kastom
the general public’s shared understanding of the history of Queensland.
provide advice and make recommendations to the Queensland Government in accordance with the Inquiry’s Terms of Reference.
Inquiry Terms of Reference
The Terms of Reference for the Inquiry are expected to be finalised in the coming weeks.
Contact
To contact the Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry please email:
Please note this mailbox has been set up by the Department to capture public enquiries while the Inquiry sets up its own communication channels.
First Nations Treaty Institute
The First Nations Treaty Institute is a statutory body, operating independently from the Queensland Government to support Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples to record the impacts and effects of colonisation on their communities, to inform their participation in future treaty negotiations.
The Institute will be overseen by a Council to ensure the Institute performs its important functions, which include working with community to develop a treaty-making framework.
The Institute Council consists of 10 members, all of whom are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Council members
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Albert has more than 35 years’ experience in a variety of roles including government roles, entrepreneurial ventures, business development, community projects, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander advocacy to deliver positive results in stakeholder engagement, project management, fundraising and event coordination.
He has extensive experience in the community sector having been a member of Au Karem Le Torres Strait Islander Organisation, on the Language Committee for Magani Malu Kes, Director and Vice President for Logan Housing Co-Op, elected member for the ATSIC Southeast Regional Council, Founder of Direct Active Youth Agency and current Founding Director of Building Strong Families Foundation.
Mr Bowie is a consultant, director and founder who believes in equipping and empowering commerce.
Seleena was born and raised in Mount Isa on the traditional lands of the Kalkutungu (Kalkadoon) people, Seleena is an emerging leader within her community as a Youth Worker and Senior Cultural Facilitator of Kalkutungu language, dance, and traditional practices.
Ms Blackley was a member of the Interim Truth and Treaty Body, and a guest facilitator and participant in the Queensland Indigenous Youth Leadership Program. She is also a member of the Aboriginal and Islander Development Recreational Women’s Association.
During her secondary studies Seleena was awarded the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundation Young Indigenous Leader Award and scholarship.
Valerie belongs to the Nunukul people of Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) in Queensland and is Director of Aboriginal Hostels Limited and Ministerial Advisor at the Department of Climate Change, Energy Environment and Water.
Professor Valerie Cooms has extensive experience in native title, having worked as the CEO of Queensland South Native Title Services, full time Member of the National Native Title Tribunal, as well as serving in multiple Executive positions in government, academia and advisory roles across Western Australia and Queensland, including the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody.
Valerie holds a PhD from Australian National University specialising in Political Science and Queensland First Nations Political History.
Michelle is a business owner and has extensive experience in both the public and private sectors having held senior executive positions in the Commonwealth Public service including national manager, Indigenous communications in Centrelink. She has also held roles in NFP sector including senior roles with Red Cross, CEO of the Australian Indigenous Governance Institute and more recently in 2013 as well as Interim CEO of Supply Nations.
She has been awarded the National NAIDOC Scholar of the Year in 2015 for her contribution to academia and community development. Followed by the Australian/American Fulbright Indigenous Professional Scholarship and a Churchill Fellowship to focus on cultural governance modelling.
Ms Deshong is Co-chair of Supply Nation, Fellow with the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation, member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and elected council member Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS). Michelle is current Co-Chair of the Indigenous Business Sector Group for ANZLF.
Michelle holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Political Science and Indigenous studies (James Cook University) and is completing her PhD.
Janine is a Gugu Badhun and Ngadjon-ji woman from North Queensland. Janine is a Lecturer at Nura Gili’s Centre for Indigenous Programs and Research Associate with the Indigenous Law Centre, University of New South Wales.
She has international experience within United Nations policy and her research interests lie in the practical application of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples at the local level as it relates to the political governance and representation of Indigenous Nations.
Dr Janine Gertz was announced as the winner of the prestigious 2023 Stanner Award, the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies’ biennial award for Australia’s best academic writing by an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander author. Her winning entry was her PhD thesis ‘Gugu Badhun Sovereignty, Self-Determination and Nationhood’.
Janine has a PhD, Graduate Diploma of Social Science and Graduate Certificate of Research Methods from James Cook University.
Tracey lives in Outback Queensland and is a public servant, artisan, and co-owner of an Aboriginal company.
She has extensive experience working across different sectors, including education, non-for-profit and the public service, as well doing consultancy and volunteer work, working with women and children escaping domestic violence, young people living in the streets, and working with the homeless.
Dr Harbour sits on various committees at state and national levels – more recently on the Queensland Health Virtual Acute Care Service Clinical Governance Committee as a consumer and First Nations representative and has been appointed to the National AHPRA Occupational Therapy Board and is a voice and advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and those living in the bush.
Tracey has a Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood Education), Bachelor of Education and a Master of Education (Honours) (James Cook University). Tracey completed her PhD at Flinders University.
Phillip is a Kalkulgal Elder of the Torres Strait. An Adjunct Professor at James Cook University he is also an expert in policy and governance, and was instrumental in the United Nation registering Zenadth Kes (Torres Strait) First Nation Peoples.
Associate Professor Mills has led initiatives in improving life expectancy in the Torres Strait, enabling Self Determination through establishing the Regional Governance Island Coordinating Council, now Local Government, and is developing an Indigenous Health Science Education and Research Council of Excellence on Waibene.
He is a member of the Australian Medical Council Aboriginal and Torres Strait Committee and an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Australian College of Physician.
Cindy, a descendent of the Ngugi people from Moreton Bay, is Deputy Vice Chancellor (Indigenous Diversity and Inclusion) at Griffith University. She is an Emeritus Professor with the University of Queensland and was the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Engagement) at the University of Queensland from 2011-2017 and Director of its Poche Centre for Indigenous Health.
Prior to that Professor Shannon led the development and implementation of Australia’s first degree-level program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers. She has served on the Council of the National Health and Medical Research Council and is currently the Chair of the Queensland Ministerial Advisory Committee on Sexual Health, Co-Patron of the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundation and sits on a number of not-for profit boards and is the current Chair of the Gold Coast Health and Hospital Board.
Professor Shannon is recognised as a Queensland Great for contributions to Indigenous Health and Education and was made a Member of the Order of Australia (in general division) for contributions to Medical Education and Indigenous Health. Professor Shannon was awarded the AMA Queensland Excellence in Health Care medal in 2022.
Cindy has a Doctor of Social Science (University of Queensland), Master of Business Administration (University of Southern Queensland), Graduate Diploma in Education (Tertiary), and Bachelor of Arts (Economics/History) (University of Queensland). She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
David Saylor has an Associate Diploma in Community Welfare (JCU) and a Bachelor of Laws (University of Western Australia) and currently holds an unrestricted principal certificate with the Queensland Law Society. David is also an NRL Accredited Player Agent.
David is an experienced native title lawyer and has also worked in criminal law and various Indigenous legal matters representing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, communities and corporations. David was first admitted as a legal practitioner of the Supreme Court of Western Australia, and subsequently admitted as a legal practitioner of the Supreme Court of Queensland.
David has worked with several Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services, Aboriginal Land Councils and Native Title Representative Bodies in Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australia
An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person himself, David, in his current legal practice, is passionate and committed to assisting clients with resolving native title claims, making and prosecuting native title compensation claims and negotiating Indigenous Land Use Agreements (ILUAs) which provide substantial economic benefits, provide for protection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage beyond what is required by law, and facilitating Indigenous participation in environmental management of mining and other projects.
Ivy is a Torres Strait Islander woman from Dauan and Saibai Island. She has cultural knowledge and expertise gained from over 30 years of experience as a social worker and counsellor working within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, mental health, child safety and domestic and family violence services.
She was the first Torres Strait Islander Social Worker having graduated from Queensland University in 1986.
She has worked in community organisations and various government departments. Over the last 30+ years, she has advocated for the recognition of cultural rights and cultural safety of Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Mrs Trevallion is also an active representative on several Boards, including the Kupai Omasker Working Party, member of both Mura Kosker Sorority and Lena Passi Women’s Shelter and currently on the board of management for TSIMA (Torres Strait Islander Media Association). She has previously been a member on multiple Advisory Committees including the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatry and now the Co-Chair of Meriba Omasker Advisory Committee and presently a member of the Queensland First Children and Families Board (QFCFB).
Ivy holds a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Queensland.
Functions
The functions of the Institute include:
co-developing a treaty-making framework with the Queensland Government
supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to record the impacts and effects of colonisation on their communities to inform their participation in future treaty negotiations
consulting, supporting and empowering Aboriginal peoples, Torres Strait Islander peoples and representative entities in relation to scoping, initiating and participating in treaty negotiations with the state.
Mr Joshua Creamer – Chair
Mr Joshua Creamer – Chair
Joshua is Waanyi and Kalkadoon with connections to Northwest Queensland. He is a barrister specialising in native title, human rights and class actions.
Mr Creamer is a current Commissioner in the Queensland Law Reform Commission; Chair of the Bar Association of Queensland, Indigenous Affairs Committee, Chair of the Griffith University Elders and First Peoples Knowledge Holders Advisory Board and member of the Griffith University Council.
He has appeared in a number of landmark class actions and is ranked in Chambers and Partners Asia-Pacific and Doyle’s Guide for his work in the native title jurisdiction.
Joshua was previously named National Indigenous Legal Professional of the Year, and was a member of the Board of Legal Aid Queensland and a past President of the Indigenous Lawyers Association of Queensland.
Mr Creamer has a Bachelor of Law/Bachelor of Arts and a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice from Griffith University.
The Honourable Roslyn Atkinson AO
The Honourable Roslyn Atkinson AO
Roslyn is a lawyer with a lifetime commitment to human rights and diversity and advancing the interests and rights of First Nations peoples.
Ms Atkinson is a former judge of the Supreme Court of Queensland during which time she served as Chair of the Queensland Indigenous Justice Committee and was a member of the national Indigenous Justice Committee of the National Judicial College of Australia.
She has also served as inaugural President of the Queensland Anti-Discrimination Tribunal, Hearing Commissioner of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunities Commission and Chair of the Queensland Law Reform Commission. Her honour was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to the judiciary and to law reform in Queensland.
Roslyn is a graduate of the University of Queensland and was awarded first class honours in her law degree. She is current Chair of Screen Australia, member of the Management Committee of LawRight and Independent Chair of the Covert Operations Committee.
Ms Cheryl Buchanan
Ms Cheryl Buchanan
Cheryl is a proud Guwamu woman and lifetime campaigner for Aboriginal rights, social and environmental justice. She is a renowned publisher, playwright, author, speaker, director, teacher, lecturer and traditional dancer.
Ms Buchanan is a founder of well-known community organisations including Aboriginal Legal, Medical Services and Childcare Centre in Brisbane, Black Community School and Black Resource Centre as well as Murrie Coo-ee (an Aboriginal publishing house).
She has also served as the first Aboriginal Commissioner with Queensland Corrective Services, and Chair of the Queensland and National Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committees. Cheryl is a former member of the Treaty Working Group and co-Chair of the Interim Truth and Treaty Body, and currently a Director of the Northern Basin Aboriginal Nations and Queensland Murray-Darling Catchments Limited, as well as a member of the State Library Board and executive member of the Indigenous Peoples Organisation.
Cheryl has a Bachelor of Arts and Diploma of Education (University of Queensland) and a Graduate Diploma of Natural and Cultural Resource Management (Deakin University); and has been awarded the Centenary Medal Commonwealth of Australia for Distinguished Services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities of Australia.
Mr Ivan Ingram
Mr Ivan Ingram
Ivan is a Wiradjuri and Filipino man and was the first Indigenous appointment as Judicial Registrar to the Federal Court of Australia. Mr Ingram is admitted to the Supreme Court of Queensland as a legal practitioner and enrolled on the High Court of Australia register of legal practitioner. He has spent much of his career practising in the field of native title. Ivan also holds an academic position with the Queensland University of Technology School of Law where he teaches First Nations legal history and legal realities.
Mr Ingram was previously the Chief Operating Officer for the Australian Indigenous Governance Institute and is a Doctor of Juridical Science candidate in the Indigenous People’s Law & Policy Program at the University of Arizona. He is a longstanding member of the Queensland Law Society, Indigenous Lawyers Association of Queensland and Pride in Law where he served as the Queensland Chapter's Indigenous Officer.
He is Chair of the Seed Indigenous Youth Climate Network, Director and Company Secretary of the Flying Arts Alliance, Director of the Digi Youth Arts and is a member of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee of the Queensland Performing Arts Trust.
Ivan has a Bachelor of Applied Science (Biotechnology) and Bachelor of Law (Honours) from Queensland University of Technology, and a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice (Australian National University).
Ms Vonda Malone
Ms Vonda Malone
Vonda is a Torres Strait Islander woman with connection to Erub (Darnley Island) and Cape York, with extensive professional experience in working to improve the health and wellbeing outcomes for the region and encouraging women and people in regional and remote communities to pursue leadership opportunities.
She is currently CEO of the Torres Strait Regional Authority and was previously the first female Mayor of the Torres Shire Council. Vonda has held Chair and executive positions with Community Enterprise Queensland, Islanders Board of Industry Service, Torres and Cape Indigenous Councils Alliance, Torres Health and other health organisations.
Ms Malone was named the McKinnon Emerging Political Leader of the Year in 2017, recognising her leadership as Mayor of the Torres Shire Council. She is a fellow of the Australian Rural Leadership Program, the United Nations Human Rights Commissioner's Indigenous Fellowship Program and also a recipient of the Centenary Medal and the NAIDOC Award of Excellence.
Vonda holds a Graduate Certificate in Australian Rural Leadership and Graduate Certificate in Public Sector Management.
Mr Albert Bowie
Mr Albert Bowie
Albert has more than 35 years’ experience in a variety of roles including government roles, entrepreneurial ventures, business development, community projects, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander advocacy to deliver positive results in stakeholder engagement, project management, fundraising and event coordination.
He has extensive experience in the community sector having been a member of Au Karem Le Torres Strait Islander Organisation, on the Language Committee for Magani Malu Kes, Director and Vice President for Logan Housing Co-Op, elected member for the ATSIC Southeast Regional Council, Founder of Direct Active Youth Agency and current Founding Director of Building Strong Families Foundation.
Mr Bowie is a consultant, director and founder who believes in equipping and empowering commerce.
Ms Seleena Blackley
Ms Seleena Blackley
Seleena was born and raised in Mount Isa on the traditional lands of the Kalkutungu (Kalkadoon) people, Seleena is an emerging leader within her community as a Youth Worker and Senior Cultural Facilitator of Kalkutungu language, dance, and traditional practices.
Ms Blackley was a member of the Interim Truth and Treaty Body, and a guest facilitator and participant in the Queensland Indigenous Youth Leadership Program. She is also a member of the Aboriginal and Islander Development Recreational Women’s Association.
During her secondary studies Seleena was awarded the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundation Young Indigenous Leader Award and scholarship.
Professor Valerie Cooms
Professor Valerie Cooms
Valerie belongs to the Nunukul people of Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) in Queensland and is Director of Aboriginal Hostels Limited and Ministerial Advisor at the Department of Climate Change, Energy Environment and Water.
Professor Valerie Cooms has extensive experience in native title, having worked as the CEO of Queensland South Native Title Services, full time Member of the National Native Title Tribunal, as well as serving in multiple Executive positions in government, academia and advisory roles across Western Australia and Queensland, including the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody.
Valerie holds a PhD from Australian National University specialising in Political Science and Queensland First Nations Political History.
Ms Michelle Deshong
Ms Michelle Deshong
Michelle is a business owner and has extensive experience in both the public and private sectors having held senior executive positions in the Commonwealth Public service including national manager, Indigenous communications in Centrelink. She has also held roles in NFP sector including senior roles with Red Cross, CEO of the Australian Indigenous Governance Institute and more recently in 2013 as well as Interim CEO of Supply Nations.
She has been awarded the National NAIDOC Scholar of the Year in 2015 for her contribution to academia and community development. Followed by the Australian/American Fulbright Indigenous Professional Scholarship and a Churchill Fellowship to focus on cultural governance modelling.
Ms Deshong is Co-chair of Supply Nation, Fellow with the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation, member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and elected council member Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS). Michelle is current Co-Chair of the Indigenous Business Sector Group for ANZLF.
Michelle holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Political Science and Indigenous studies (James Cook University) and is completing her PhD.
Dr Janine Gertz
Dr Janine Gertz
Janine is a Gugu Badhun and Ngadjon-ji woman from North Queensland. Janine is a Lecturer at Nura Gili’s Centre for Indigenous Programs and Research Associate with the Indigenous Law Centre, University of New South Wales.
She has international experience within United Nations policy and her research interests lie in the practical application of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples at the local level as it relates to the political governance and representation of Indigenous Nations.
Dr Janine Gertz was announced as the winner of the prestigious 2023 Stanner Award, the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies’ biennial award for Australia’s best academic writing by an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander author. Her winning entry was her PhD thesis ‘Gugu Badhun Sovereignty, Self-Determination and Nationhood’.
Janine has a PhD, Graduate Diploma of Social Science and Graduate Certificate of Research Methods from James Cook University.
Dr Tracey Harbour
Dr Tracey Harbour
Tracey lives in Outback Queensland and is a public servant, artisan, and co-owner of an Aboriginal company.
She has extensive experience working across different sectors, including education, non-for-profit and the public service, as well doing consultancy and volunteer work, working with women and children escaping domestic violence, young people living in the streets, and working with the homeless.
Dr Harbour sits on various committees at state and national levels – more recently on the Queensland Health Virtual Acute Care Service Clinical Governance Committee as a consumer and First Nations representative and has been appointed to the National AHPRA Occupational Therapy Board and is a voice and advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and those living in the bush.
Tracey has a Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood Education), Bachelor of Education and a Master of Education (Honours) (James Cook University). Tracey completed her PhD at Flinders University.
Associate Professor Phillip Mills OAM
Associate Professor Phillip Mills OAM
Phillip is a Kalkulgal Elder of the Torres Strait. An Adjunct Professor at James Cook University he is also an expert in policy and governance, and was instrumental in the United Nation registering Zenadth Kes (Torres Strait) First Nation Peoples.
Associate Professor Mills has led initiatives in improving life expectancy in the Torres Strait, enabling Self Determination through establishing the Regional Governance Island Coordinating Council, now Local Government, and is developing an Indigenous Health Science Education and Research Council of Excellence on Waibene.
He is a member of the Australian Medical Council Aboriginal and Torres Strait Committee and an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Australian College of Physician.
Professor Cindy Shannon AM
Professor Cindy Shannon AM
Cindy, a descendent of the Ngugi people from Moreton Bay, is Deputy Vice Chancellor (Indigenous Diversity and Inclusion) at Griffith University. She is an Emeritus Professor with the University of Queensland and was the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Engagement) at the University of Queensland from 2011-2017 and Director of its Poche Centre for Indigenous Health.
Prior to that Professor Shannon led the development and implementation of Australia’s first degree-level program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers. She has served on the Council of the National Health and Medical Research Council and is currently the Chair of the Queensland Ministerial Advisory Committee on Sexual Health, Co-Patron of the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundation and sits on a number of not-for profit boards and is the current Chair of the Gold Coast Health and Hospital Board.
Professor Shannon is recognised as a Queensland Great for contributions to Indigenous Health and Education and was made a Member of the Order of Australia (in general division) for contributions to Medical Education and Indigenous Health. Professor Shannon was awarded the AMA Queensland Excellence in Health Care medal in 2022.
Cindy has a Doctor of Social Science (University of Queensland), Master of Business Administration (University of Southern Queensland), Graduate Diploma in Education (Tertiary), and Bachelor of Arts (Economics/History) (University of Queensland). She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Mr David Saylor
Mr David Saylor
David Saylor has an Associate Diploma in Community Welfare (JCU) and a Bachelor of Laws (University of Western Australia) and currently holds an unrestricted principal certificate with the Queensland Law Society. David is also an NRL Accredited Player Agent.
David is an experienced native title lawyer and has also worked in criminal law and various Indigenous legal matters representing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, communities and corporations. David was first admitted as a legal practitioner of the Supreme Court of Western Australia, and subsequently admitted as a legal practitioner of the Supreme Court of Queensland.
David has worked with several Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services, Aboriginal Land Councils and Native Title Representative Bodies in Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australia
An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person himself, David, in his current legal practice, is passionate and committed to assisting clients with resolving native title claims, making and prosecuting native title compensation claims and negotiating Indigenous Land Use Agreements (ILUAs) which provide substantial economic benefits, provide for protection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage beyond what is required by law, and facilitating Indigenous participation in environmental management of mining and other projects.
Mrs Ivy Trevallion
Mrs Ivy Trevallion
Ivy is a Torres Strait Islander woman from Dauan and Saibai Island. She has cultural knowledge and expertise gained from over 30 years of experience as a social worker and counsellor working within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, mental health, child safety and domestic and family violence services.
She was the first Torres Strait Islander Social Worker having graduated from Queensland University in 1986.
She has worked in community organisations and various government departments. Over the last 30+ years, she has advocated for the recognition of cultural rights and cultural safety of Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Mrs Trevallion is also an active representative on several Boards, including the Kupai Omasker Working Party, member of both Mura Kosker Sorority and Lena Passi Women’s Shelter and currently on the board of management for TSIMA (Torres Strait Islander Media Association). She has previously been a member on multiple Advisory Committees including the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatry and now the Co-Chair of Meriba Omasker Advisory Committee and presently a member of the Queensland First Children and Families Board (QFCFB).
Ivy holds a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Queensland.
Queensland's Path to Treaty,
30 Nov 2023,
[https://oss-uat.clients.squiz.net/firstnations/treaty/queensland-path-to-treaty]
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