Presentation Type
Presentation
Location
The University of Notre Dame Australia, Broome Campus, The Hall.
Start Date
8-5-2026 12:00 PM
End Date
8-5-2026 2:00 PM
Description
In the fourth Lucy Ngarbal Marshall Oration, Chair of Indigenous Research, Steve Kinnane, will explore one of the central tenets of the Uluru Statement of the Heart, ‘Truth Telling,’ within a framework of Reckoning. Having been engaged in truth telling as researcher, an oral historian, author, film-maker, curator and documenter of cultural rejuvenation on Country for almost 40 years, this idea, ideal and ethic of Truth Telling has underpinned his work. In sharing stories and investigating shared histories through collaborations guided by Elders, witnesses and Countrymen, and interrogating the archives, this work has involved coming to terms with our often, unreconciled pasts. After decades of collective Truth Telling, that has informed our historically cumulative goals of equality, self-determination, recognition, equal rights, inherent rights, respect for cultural governance and the much-lauded hope of Reconciliation; where is the Reckoning within this work? Truth Telling involves great courage in giving voice, and ideally is responded to by respectful listening. From this dialogue it is hoped that respect, understanding, recognition and meaningful relationships will follow. But this is not always the case. Regardless of the great achievements of Truth Telling, following the demise of the Voice Referendum of 2023, the ‘pause’ of 2024 seemingly gave way to a yawning silence, followed by a rise in polemic, vitriol and ignorance in many quarters. Reckoning can involve an act of calculation, a settling of accounts, often including some form of judgement – the revealing of consequences – justice. Examining personal and historical accounts of Truth Telling across a range of fronts, focused particularly on the Kimberley region, Steve will reflect on what it takes to achieve Reckoning, for our collective communities.
Recommended Citation
Kinnane, Stephen, "‘Lucy Ngarbal Marshall Oration by the Nulungu Chair of Indigenous Research’" (2026). Workshops and Presentations. 4.
https://researchonline.nd.edu.au/nulungu_workshops_presentations/02/schedule/4
‘Lucy Ngarbal Marshall Oration by the Nulungu Chair of Indigenous Research’
The University of Notre Dame Australia, Broome Campus, The Hall.
In the fourth Lucy Ngarbal Marshall Oration, Chair of Indigenous Research, Steve Kinnane, will explore one of the central tenets of the Uluru Statement of the Heart, ‘Truth Telling,’ within a framework of Reckoning. Having been engaged in truth telling as researcher, an oral historian, author, film-maker, curator and documenter of cultural rejuvenation on Country for almost 40 years, this idea, ideal and ethic of Truth Telling has underpinned his work. In sharing stories and investigating shared histories through collaborations guided by Elders, witnesses and Countrymen, and interrogating the archives, this work has involved coming to terms with our often, unreconciled pasts. After decades of collective Truth Telling, that has informed our historically cumulative goals of equality, self-determination, recognition, equal rights, inherent rights, respect for cultural governance and the much-lauded hope of Reconciliation; where is the Reckoning within this work? Truth Telling involves great courage in giving voice, and ideally is responded to by respectful listening. From this dialogue it is hoped that respect, understanding, recognition and meaningful relationships will follow. But this is not always the case. Regardless of the great achievements of Truth Telling, following the demise of the Voice Referendum of 2023, the ‘pause’ of 2024 seemingly gave way to a yawning silence, followed by a rise in polemic, vitriol and ignorance in many quarters. Reckoning can involve an act of calculation, a settling of accounts, often including some form of judgement – the revealing of consequences – justice. Examining personal and historical accounts of Truth Telling across a range of fronts, focused particularly on the Kimberley region, Steve will reflect on what it takes to achieve Reckoning, for our collective communities.
