The Path to Treaty bill passing in Parliament on 10 May has sent emotional ripples across Logan’s First Nations community.
While the Treaty has claimed to lead to a legislative framework for a formal truth-telling and healing inquiry, Logan’s indigenous population question its efficacy.
John Davis, Doctor of Education, First Nations and long-time Logan resident, said there had not been active communication from the government with his people, the West Bunya family, about the process and the Treaty did not represent them.
“We have chosen to disengage [with the treaty],” Dr Davis said.
“Even though we are one traditional owner group out of many there is a concern when we give up, in native title, our rights to negotiate.
“It is not clear that we have a seat at the table and what that seat looks like.”
Uncle Terry Stedman from Logan Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cooperation for Elders also questioned who the Treaty was for and how it would be effective within the community.
“I really need to see the Treaty being something that is going to benefit my community and not just make a whole heap of non-Indigenous people feel good,” Mr Stedman said.
“It’s more than their conscience being cleansed by creating something they think is a wonderful thing.
“Give it some operational guidance … use people from grassroots community elder groups.”
For the Queensland Government, the Treaty is only just the beginning.
Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Craig Crawford, said the next steps were what would build acknowledgment and understanding of our shared history.
“It will support individuals, communities, and Queensland to heal, and set out a way forward for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the Palaszczuk Government to work together towards future treaties,” Mr Crawford said.
But Davis and his community questioned whether they would be working together with the Government as “traditional owners who all form our identities.”
Mr Davis and Mr Stedman agreed the Treaty could be a good development for the community, however it must be “handled properly”.
“There is a better way it can be done,” Mr Davis said.
