Queensland State Archives - Statement of Intent

When Queensland was settled, there was no treaty agreement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first custodians. First Nations peoples were displaced from their land without any negotiation, resulting in political, economic and social inequalities that continue to this day. In 2019 the Queensland Government started a conversation with all Queenslanders about a Path to Treaty, to heal the past and create a new relationship for all Queenslanders to prosper.

As the custodian of almost 200 years of Queensland’s State Government records, we have an important role to play in supporting the Queensland Government’s Path to Treaty commitments to:

• increase understanding of the need for sharing of truth and importance of historical acceptance in the reconciliation journey
• raise awareness about Queensland’s shared history and the diversity of perspectives
• support the recommended First Nations Treaty Institute as a resource for truth telling and healing.

We acknowledge that the records we manage, keep, preserve and make available relate to many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals and communities, who have had an ongoing connection to this land for over 65,000 years. Our work so far has often been undertaken without their understanding or input.

Our worldview, principles and approaches have limitations, and the historical information that is held is often a source of pain to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders peoples. However, we aim to be an archive that respects Indigenous knowledge and that is a space for healing and remembrance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

To achieve this, we support the 2019 Tandanya-Adelaide Declaration – the first international archives declaration on Indigenous people and matters. The declaration identifies the following themes and commitments for immediate action:

• Knowledge authorities
• Property ownership
• Recognition and identity
• Research and access
• Self-determination.

We commit to embracing First Nations worldviews and methods of creating, sharing and preserving valued knowledge.

We commit to building relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, recognising that the needs, priorities and holders of knowledge vary from group to group.

We commit to listen, learn and persevere in this reciprocal respectful engagement in order to become a more comprehensive and inclusive record of the people of Queensland.

These commitments are the start of Queensland State Archives’ journey of change to welcome, include and involve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Download statement (PDF,  54KB)